Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Nathan]

"properly worn kilts"

err...I beg to differ. Kyle, Tobus and Matt Newsome have great examples of properly worn kilts stateside, but I'd call the top example..."creatively worn".

Since I don't consider the utility style kilt to be a Highland garment in any way, people can wear them as they please. They are no more a kilt than a stetson is a fedora.

[Half Scot Half Pole]

err...I beg to differ. Kyle, Tobus and Matt Newsome have great examples of properly worn kilts stateside, but I'd call the top example..."creatively worn".

Since I don't consider the utility style kilt to be a Highland garment in any way, people can wear them as they please. They are no more a kilt than a stetson is a fedora.

Key word "stateside". Give us a little break over here. We're an entire sea and continent away.

And I thought a Stetson WAS a fedora.

[Nathan]

Key word "stateside". Give us a little break over here. We're an entire sea and continent away.

And I thought a Stetson WAS a fedora.

You're not a sea or a continent away from Canada.

And I stand by my comments about the American xmarks members who wear it properly.

[Couper]

"A style born and reborn from legend. Browse Stetson's timeless collection of vintage fedora hats." - attributed to Stetson.com.

Might be a matter of semantics...because I deem the above examples by Half Scot Half Pole to be properly worn. They may not be "traditionally" worn, but there is absolutely nothing improper about them. I am often found comfortably attired in one of Rocky's creations (certainly not a "utility" kilt) accessorized as the lad in the "good old boy" photo.

[Half Scot Half Pole]

You're not a sea or a continent away from Canada.

And I stand by my comments about the American xmarks members who wear it properly.

We're a world away in Scotland, Nathan, and we've actually developed our own diasporic culture. What do you think of the million or so Scots who refuse to wear a kilt, either properly or improperly? Have they failed altogether?

[McMurdo]

We're a world away in Scotland, Nathan, and we've actually developed our own diasporic culture. What do you think of the million or so Scots who refuse to wear a kilt, either properly or improperly? Have they failed altogether?

HSHP The original thread was about wearing the kilt properly in Scotland. No matter what your protestations, none of the photos you have posted are proper examples of Highland wear. Go ahead and wear the outfit you want in your country, but don't insist it's proper Highland attire. If you want to see examples of that, please go look at the examples Nathan suggested, also take a look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread started by Panache who lives in California.

[Nathan]

We're a world away in Scotland, Nathan, and we've actually developed our own diasporic culture. What do you think of the million or so Scots who refuse to wear a kilt, either properly or improperly? Have they failed altogether?

Look, do what you want but don't pretend it's "proper" because if it is, that word is meaningless. If that's proper, what would be improper? To me, an improperly worn kilt is one that is being worn contrary to tradition.

I grew up in a diaspora Gaelic culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada (North East of Maine). We didn't assimilate or change as much as our cousins who went to the USA. Perhaps its because we remained part of the British commonwealth or perhaps it is our relative isolation on an island.

The Scots descendants who went to the Southern US and eventually became the Confederates etc... certainly did create their own distinct culture but you'd be hard pressed to find a lot of examples of the kilt being an important part of that culture. Jeans, yes. Kilts, no. They adapted everything to their new environment and neighbours so while you can see the Scottish roots in much of what that culture created (Old Tyme fiddle and blue grass music, square dancing, the Saltire on the Confederate flag) the African influence injected blues modes into the music, The Mexican influence added some Spanish modes as well - toss a little jazz in and you've got Country music.

In fact, if we're going to be honest, that Southern culture misappropriated and brought shame upon some important Scottish symbols like the fiery cross and the word "clan". Regardless how you spell it, calling myself a clansman in some company is very uncomfortable.

Everyone has the right to move past the darker bits of their history and bygones must be bygones but anachronistically hybridizing the Scottish and Southern US cultures in a way they did not evolve, while not against any laws, isn't what I would call a "proper" representation of either culture. It is, in effect, a cultural mash up. Mash away if you like, but don't fart and tell me it's roses.

If you feel fusing these two legitimate parts of your heritage reflects how you feel about yourself in the world, go for it but it's not "wearing the kilt properly" Stateside or anywhere else.

[creagdhubh]

Look, do what you want but don't pretend it's "proper" because if it is, that word is meaningless. If that's proper, what would be improper? To me an improperly worn kilt, is one that is being worn contrary to tradition.

I grew up in a diaspora Gaelic culture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada (North East of Maine). We didn't assimilate or change as much as our cousins who went to the USA. Perhaps its because we remained part of the British commonwealth or perhaps it is our relative isolation on an island.

The Scots descendants who went to the Southern US and eventually became the Confederates etc... certainly did create their own distinct culture but you'd be hard pressed to find a lot of examples of the kilt being an important part of that culture. Jeans, yes. Kilts, no. They adapted everything to their new environment and neighbours so while you can see the Scottish roots in much of what that culture created (Old Tyme fiddle and blue grass music, square dancing, the Saltire on the Confederate flag) the African influence injected blues modes into the music, The Mexican influence added some Spanish modes as well - toss a little jazz in and you've got Country music.

In fact, if we're going to be honest, that Southern culture misappropriated and brought shame upon some important Scottish symbols like the fiery cross and the word "clan". Regardless how you spell it, calling myself a clansman in some company is very uncomfortable.

Everyone has the right to move past the darker bits of their history and bygones must be bygones but anachronistically hybridizing the Scottish and Southern US cultures in a way they did not evolve, while not against any laws isn't what I would call a "proper" representation of either culture. It is, in effect, a cultural mash up. Mash away if you like, but don't fart and tell me it's roses.

If you feel fusing these two legitimate parts of your heritage reflects how you feel about yourself in the world, go for it but it's not "wearing the kilt properly".

Good God that was well said, Nathan!

[Hawk]

Good God that was well said, Nathan!

Ah, yes....now we're starting to get back to civil discussion. I refer back to my post #72 on page 8 of this thread. Thank you Kyle for your continuous dialogue.

Hawk

[KD Burke]

Key word "stateside". Give us a little break over here. We're an entire sea and continent away.

And I thought a Stetson WAS a fedora.

Reminiscent of my previous post, a number of adjectives do come to mind. Your pardon if I choose not to share them.