In Your Face Kilting

[CaptHowdy0001]

The reason I like Ron's words is that it perfectly reflects my attitude. I wear a kilt because it's comfortable, it looks great, and it reflects a bit of my heritage. And I really don't care if anybody likes it or not, I don't care if anybody approves of it or not, and I challenge anybody to confront me about it. Do what you do. If you ain't being you, you ain't being.

My thoughts exactly, i dont think think the interpretation was meant as literal as some have taken it. Either way, who can argue with being yourself and not being afraid to do so or "in your face" with "this is who I am".

[MacSpadger]

I am just settling down after a ceilidh in Glencoe for my friend's birthday that turned into a 24 hour party.
It's certainly a very different point of view being expressed by the OP to life over here. I have been wearing my kilt for 3 days, from Milngavie up through Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and in Glencoe village itself. No-one has batted an eye. I have only gotten one comment when I was buying petrol, the attendent said he was an ex-QOH after clocking my tartan, then told me about his upcoming holiday to Bulgaria.
At the ceilidh itself there were more guys in kilts than in breeks, as you'd expect. There's absolutely nothing "in your face" going on here at all. If anyone's "minds were messed up" it was probably due to attempting the Dashing White Sargeant after a large plate of haggis, neeps and tatties at the Clachaig Inn and probably too many drops of the cratur.
I can only guess the Scottish equivalent to the OP might be if a born and bred Scottish Highlander started wearing Bavarian Lederhosen for no obvious reason. That would probably gain some attention, but not the kind I would seek.

[Riverkilt]

Well said Clockwork. Do understand that the thoughts may not apply in Scotland...but I'd missed picking up on the subtle part that even the best dressed, most traditional minded kiltie could be dressing for that effect - or not. Its an individual thing here and not all are gonna agree.

For some reason visions of my self as a cocky young man in uniform strutting his stuff came to mind...

For what its worth the original thoughts come from a big beautiful woman type talking about how she dressed and why...for those old enough - think Auntie Mame.

[MizzouScotsman]

I wear my kilt for roughly the same reason. It's my heritage and I am tired of the cookie cutter fashion for me. I love the responses that I get, good or bad, when I wear my kilt in public. Last night I wore my best outfit to the opera. I was kilted with a marvelous vest and kilt jacket. I received nothing but good responses from those in attendance. Much to the consternation of my wife, a lovely young lady asked if she could have her picture taken with me as she loves a man in a kilt. So being an honorable gentleman, I obliged her request. I braved the "look" that I received from the Mrs but she's used to this as she keeps telling me that "I can't take you anywhere" with a little chuckle.

So I say if it's considered "in your face" then let it be in your face.....as the picture below shows.......

[MacSpadger]

Do understand that the thoughts may not apply in Scotland

Reading through the whole thread, it's apparent they don't. There's nothing really individual about owning a kilt here, some do, some don't. Some folk prefer rugby to football, or gowf to fishing, and that's that.

For what its worth the original thoughts come from a big beautiful woman type talking about how she dressed and why...for those old enough - think Auntie Mame.

I probably am old enough, but don't have a clue who Auntie Mame is, probably yet more evidence of the cultural divide.

[sailortats]

I probably am old enough, but don't have a clue who Auntie Mame is, probably yet more evidence of the cultural divide.

MacSpadger I am truly sorry that you do not know of Auntie Mame. It was a broadway play and then a movie with Rosalind Russell as Auntie Mame. Came out in the 50s or 60s. She was a character, to say the least. If you can find a copy of it I wholeheartedly recommend watching it. It is a wonderfully funny play. WEveryone should experience Auntie Mame at least once in their life.

[Tobus]

After reflecting on this thread for a couple of days, I have to say that the whole "in your face kilting" idea is exactly why I don't wear the kilt very often. It is precisely that sort of thing that I want to avoid. For the folks who intend to wear the kilt for that reason, it's your prerogative, but surely you must understand that wearing it to "mess with peoples' minds" is naturally going to cause a generally negative reaction from the public. That's what happens when one dresses or acts specifically for shock value. From the wording of the original quote, I envision a person wearing a kilt with the purpose of being outrageous and challenging others to say something about it. I assume that's the point, and as Jock said, I find that sad. It reflects poorly on the rest of us who wear the kilt for other reasons. The public will relegate the kilt to the same 'box' as mohawks, punk rockers, Goths, Emos, or others who dress oddly for the purpose of shock value.

Like most others here, I do want to be able to express my own personal style, and I refuse to conform to the sartorial homogeneity of our modern society which has trended towards t-shirts and blue-jeans as the norm. But using the kilt as a vehicle to be aggressively challenging seems like a disservice to the history and cultural significance of the kilt. And because the public has indeed seen people wearing the kilt in an "in your face" manner, they often expect that if you're wearing it, this is your intent. Of course, this will vary by location and context, but it's because of this that I have gravitated towards wearing the kilt in a more traditional manner, and attempting to look well-dressed and respectable when doing so. My part of the world doesn't have much in the way of Scottish influence, and in the few times I've worn the kilt out in the general public, it does get a lot of attention. I can choose whether to be aggressive and "in your face", or be respectable. Do I want others to see the kilt as positive or negative? That's the question I ask myself before choosing to kilt up for going to town and being the representative of the kilt. And I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would choose to represent it in such a way that people who have never seen a kilt in real life might take a negative view of it.

To each his own, of course. But for those of us whose desire is for the kilt to be accepted outwith Scotland as a traditional and acceptable form of men's attire (and with the cultural significance to which it is attached), it seems like we face an uphill battle when our counterparts are out there "messing with peoples' minds" and using the kilt to do so.

Just something to consider...

[David Thorpe]

I need to pull a Kyle here and say a most emphatic ***!

[MizzouScotsman]

After reflecting on this thread for a couple of days, I have to say that the whole "in your face kilting" idea is exactly why I don't wear the kilt very often. It is precisely that sort of thing that I want to avoid. For the folks who intend to wear the kilt for that reason, it's your prerogative, but surely you must understand that wearing it to "mess with peoples' minds" is naturally going to cause a generally negative reaction from the public. That's what happens when one dresses or acts specifically for shock value. From the wording of the original quote, I envision a person wearing a kilt with the purpose of being outrageous and challenging others to say something about it. I assume that's the point, and as Jock said, I find that sad. It reflects poorly on the rest of us who wear the kilt for other reasons. The public will relegate the kilt to the same 'box' as mohawks, punk rockers, Goths, Emos, or others who dress oddly for the purpose of shock value.

Like most others here, I do want to be able to express my own personal style, and I refuse to conform to the sartorial homogeneity of our modern society which has trended towards t-shirts and blue-jeans as the norm. But using the kilt as a vehicle to be aggressively challenging seems like a disservice to the history and cultural significance of the kilt. And because the public has indeed seen people wearing the kilt in an "in your face" manner, they often expect that if you're wearing it, this is your intent. Of course, this will vary by location and context, but it's because of this that I have gravitated towards wearing the kilt in a more traditional manner, and attempting to look well-dressed and respectable when doing so. My part of the world doesn't have much in the way of Scottish influence, and in the few times I've worn the kilt out in the general public, it does get a lot of attention. I can choose whether to be aggressive and "in your face", or be respectable. Do I want others to see the kilt as positive or negative? That's the question I ask myself before choosing to kilt up for going to town and being the representative of the kilt. And I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would choose to represent it in such a way that people who have never seen a kilt in real life might take a negative view of it.

To each his own, of course. But for those of us whose desire is for the kilt to be accepted outwith Scotland as a traditional and acceptable form of men's attire (and with the cultural significance to which it is attached), it seems like we face an uphill battle when our counterparts are out there "messing with peoples' minds" and using the kilt to do so.

Just something to consider...

I understand completely what you're saying. The way I see it is this - my wearing of the kilt is more in line with my heritage and my homage to it and my family. The fact that it's "in your face" is simply a product that it's different. I don't wear it to garner attention but it does simply because it's not something one sees every day. I went to the opera on Saturday. I dressed my best...MacDonald modern, vest, kilt jacket, semi formal sporran, and a nice black silk tie. My wife was dressed stunningly as always. At the opera, people looked but some made flattering comments like "love the kilt", or questions about the tartan. Only ran into one question I would consider inappropriate about whether or not I was "commando". One young lady even asked if I minded taking a picture with her, which I obliged.

Now if I were wearing a suit, no one would have yelled "nice suit" nor would people have wanted their picture with me. I did not dress in the kilt for this response, although I knew to expect it, as it's happened before. But I will not stop wearing my kilt because of these responses. Nay, I will wear it more as it allows me to tell people who I am, a proud man with deep Scottish heritage. If one of the products is the possibility of "in your face" attitude, the so be it. I will not let people's looks or comments stop me from being me. That's one reason why I love working my clan's tent at highland games, we are the norm there...not the bifurcated. I am half tempted, in jest, to say "nice jeans" to someone walking the clan village.

Some are small minded and will see nothing but fringe in men wearing a kilt. The vast majority are curious and honestly interested in the garment when I wear it. I say with pride when people ask the tartan, "I am of Clan MacDonald" and it gives me a chance to give them my Deputy State Commissioner card for the State of Missouri.

So all I'm trying to say is that a natural byproduct of wearing the kilt is the "in your face" attitude simply because we dress different that society here has dictated that we dress. I also know that I am freer than that small minority who may see me in the same class as the "mohawked" as I am my own man and society will not dictate what I can wear....much like my Scottish ancestors.

[Chase]

After reflecting on this thread for a couple of days, I have to say that the whole "in your face kilting" idea is exactly why I don't wear the kilt very often. It is precisely that sort of thing that I want to avoid. For the folks who intend to wear the kilt for that reason, it's your prerogative, but surely you must understand that wearing it to "mess with peoples' minds" is naturally going to cause a generally negative reaction from the public. That's what happens when one dresses or acts specifically for shock value. From the wording of the original quote, I envision a person wearing a kilt with the purpose of being outrageous and challenging others to say something about it. I assume that's the point, and as Jock said, I find that sad. It reflects poorly on the rest of us who wear the kilt for other reasons. The public will relegate the kilt to the same 'box' as mohawks, punk rockers, Goths, Emos, or others who dress oddly for the purpose of shock value.

Like most others here, I do want to be able to express my own personal style, and I refuse to conform to the sartorial homogeneity of our modern society which has trended towards t-shirts and blue-jeans as the norm. But using the kilt as a vehicle to be aggressively challenging seems like a disservice to the history and cultural significance of the kilt. And because the public has indeed seen people wearing the kilt in an "in your face" manner, they often expect that if you're wearing it, this is your intent. Of course, this will vary by location and context, but it's because of this that I have gravitated towards wearing the kilt in a more traditional manner, and attempting to look well-dressed and respectable when doing so. My part of the world doesn't have much in the way of Scottish influence, and in the few times I've worn the kilt out in the general public, it does get a lot of attention. I can choose whether to be aggressive and "in your face", or be respectable. Do I want others to see the kilt as positive or negative? That's the question I ask myself before choosing to kilt up for going to town and being the representative of the kilt. And I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would choose to represent it in such a way that people who have never seen a kilt in real life might take a negative view of it.

To each his own, of course. But for those of us whose desire is for the kilt to be accepted outwith Scotland as a traditional and acceptable form of men's attire (and with the cultural significance to which it is attached), it seems like we face an uphill battle when our counterparts are out there "messing with peoples' minds" and using the kilt to do so.

Just something to consider...

Great Thread...Best response by far, articlualted with clarity...Really put things in perspective for me...Thanks Tobus.