Why don't we see more men wearing kilts?

[Tobus]

I suppose that we have to face up to the fact that as kilts have been around for long enough now, that if they were going to catch on, then by now they would have. So realistically I suppose, most men one way ,or, another don't like the look of them. Personally I am glad about that, as the kilt is "different" and "unusual" and even in Scotland not a common sight. It just makes the kilt a "cut above" everyone else's standard male attire and I like that.

*** to that. I actually prefer for the kilt not to be mainstream. Everything that goes mainstream ends up being ruined, commercialised, and bastardised. Kanye West was mentioned earlier in this thread. If more men start wearing kilts, that's the kind of foolishness that will follow. Do we really want the kilt to be hijacked by tweens, gangstas, hipsters, and other subcultures who will undoubtedly turn it into something else with an entirely different connotation? It's already been hijacked enough.

Also, consider that a well-made kilt is very expensive. Modern fashion trends just don't go into that sort of territory. The masses will buy some higher-priced garments in order to sport a particular label, but they really aren't interested in quality. Nor would the masses be willing to spend the kind of money it takes to buy a well-made kilt. So a mainstream kilt market would be one that is composed mostly of cheaply-made Asian imports and casual kilts, with cheap accessories. And though it may be snobbish of me to say so, I have to admit that when I see the rare kilted man in public who is wearing a cheap kilt with crappy accessories, I think to myself he should have just stuck with trousers.

[creagdhubh]

*** to that. I actually prefer for the kilt not to be mainstream. Everything that goes mainstream ends up being ruined, commercialised, and bastardised. Kanye west was mentioned earlier in this thread. If more men start wearing kilts, that's the kind of foolishness that will follow. Do we really want the kilt to be hijacked by tweens, gangstas, hipsters, and other subcultures who will undoubtedly turn it into something else with an entirely different connotation? It's already been hijacked enough.

Also, consider that a well-made kilt is very expensive. Modern fashion trends just don't go into that sort of territory. The masses will buy some higher-priced garments in order to sport a particular label, but they really aren't interested in quality. Nor would the masses be willing to spend the kind of money it takes to buy a well-made kilt. So a mainstream kilt market would be one that is composed mostly of cheaply-made asian imports and casual kilts, with cheap accessories. And though it may be snobbish of me to say so, i have to admit that when i see the rare kilted man in public who is wearing a cheap kilt with crappy accessories, i think to myself he should have just stuck with trousers.

***

Well said!!!

[jeanfor]

I have to say that in some places, it is not even attracting any attention and most of the time people do not notice at all. As far as the price of the kilt, it is possible to find used kilts that are very well made and spend much less than the price of a new high quality kilt. There are cheaper kilts that are still very decent especially if you you need a small size. My feeling is that the kilt is just another option that should be given to men, like women do have. It is possible that men do not wear kilts, because they do not want to make the extra effort to think how they are going to wear the kilt: what type of top, color.... Men have got used to spend only 5 minutes dressing up in the morning, they just need to pick a tie!

[Bearded Man Brew]

Personally, I would rather not to have kilts in the mainstream. For those who "dare", it offers a nice alternative to pants or shorts. I wouldnt discourage anyone from wearing a kilt, but I dont want to have them made horribly and in stores like H&M. I make all of my own kilts and know that time and passion that it takes to make a quality garment, especially when trying to line up stripes with tartan. I also agree that most people dont notice at all. I had a recent experience where I was talking at the pub with somone and an hour later, they said, "Oh, you have a kilt on". For me it is a way to express myself with what I wear and have a sense of accomplishment knowing that I have created it myself.

[Woodsman]

...It is possible that men do not wear kilts, because they do not want to make the extra effort to think how they are going to wear the kilt: what type of top, color.... Men have got used to spend only 5 minutes dressing up in the morning, they just need to pick a tie!

A very interesting self-assessment for us men folk. And one that I hadn't thought about much before even though I do find myself putting in this extra time and effort each and every time I wear a kilt. Good post jeanfor!

[Nathan]

So I am one of five brothers. Three of us are regular kilt wearers and of those three, one is a kilt maker, (Xmarks' own xman).

I spoke to one of the two brothers who doesn't regularly wear his kilt about this last night to get his perspective. He owns a kilt and was married in it, but wears it very infrequently otherwise.

He said that his Scottishness is just something that he is and not something he has to take pains to dress up and be. He also said that kilt wearing outside of certain appropriate contexts was a type of dandyism. In his view, it is an eccentricity that is motivated by the desire to stand out and be noticed or make a statement.

Although he is a confident guy, he is more reserved fashion-wise. He seeks to blend in rather than stand out.

The three of us who do wear kilts regularly are musicians and xman is also a classically trained actor. As such, we all have pursued crafts that put us in front of crowds and where we get to be the centre of attention from time to time. Being artists, we approach dressing with a similar artistic perspective.

So there you have it. Some people choose their outfits with a view to not having their clothes be noticed. Some men choose to dress neat, clean and forgettably. I have detected from guys like this a view that those men who pay a lot of attention to their sartorial choices (kilted or otherwise) are vain or showing off or overcompensating etc... I'm not saying I agree with the view, but it's my reasoned opinion that it is one of the explanations for why some men don't wear kilts more often.

[OC Richard]

It is possible that men do not wear kilts, because they do not want to make the extra effort to think how they are going to wear the kilt: what type of top, color...

That's usually not an issue to me. I have my go-to kilt, sporran, hose, ghillies, shirts, and ties and I usually just grab "the usual" and head out the door. I have a couple pairs of hose and a number of shirts and ties all of which are interchangeable.

[GrainReaper]

It is possible that men do not wear kilts, because they do not want to make the extra effort to think how they are going to wear the kilt: what type of top, color.... Men have got used to spend only 5 minutes dressing up in the morning, they just need to pick a tie!

Being colorblind, the kilt was a Godsend of sorts, when I go out I was always worrying about mismatching my shirt and pants, cap and shirt, or similar situation.....

Too often I got the "you aren't wearing that shirt with those pants are you?" From my wife.

Now I can grab some hose, what color? Sometimes I honestly don't know, could be lovat blue or bottle green I have a tough time telling the difference between many of my hose.

Shirt? Yes I wear one, but is it all matchy matchy? I doubt it!

Flashes are fun too I just pick a pair and go with it.

Now when I think I matched the "yellow" flashes to the yellow stripe in the kilt, my wife says to me, "why are you wearing green things in your socks, there isn't any green in your kilt"

I say "meh, I don't have to match.... it's a kilt thing, you wouldn't understand"

At least My wife keeps me from wearing too many patterns, says it makes me look like im in a clown costume.