Are Kilts Going to return as day to day wear in Scotland, Ireland?

[Kamilavalamp]

I have read a couple threads now where people have said that most people in Scotland and Ireland just wear Kilts to church, weddings, formal occasions, and at tourist traps. And yet I always see a few posts that say people are wearing them as day to day wear more often than they used to. Is this the beginning of a change in fashion? Are kilts going to return to be the thing to wear as day to day wear as they once were? Will they be the day wear garment of choice in 10 years time leaving trouser tyranny as just a faded memory? WILL LEGS FINALLY FREED FROM STRANGULATION BE CHEERING A BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM?!! WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THIS POSSIBLE CHANGE IN FASHION KILTED BROTHERS?!!!

[Jock Scot]

Kilts never were common attire for the common man in the Highlands of Scotland. You need to remember that the kilt never was the attire of Lowland Scots until recently, in fact in my lifetime I can well remember the scorn of Lowland Scots in regards to the kilt. Now , the kilt is more commonly worn in Lowland Scotland where probably two thirds of Scotland's population live, then it stands to reason that more kilts are worn in Scotland than say, 50 years ago.

The kilt as we know it today, never was an Irish form of civilian attire although some Irish military bands wear them. There was an attempt to persuade and encourage civilian kilt wearing in some quarters of civilian Ireland in the early 1900s, I don't think it really caught on.

Personally I hope the kilt never ever becomes a successful fashion item.

[Kamilavalamp]

Kilts never were common attire for the common man in the Highlands of Scotland. You need to remember that the kilt never was the attire of Lowland Scots until recently, in fact in my lifetime I can well remember the scorn of Lowland Sots in regards to kilt.. Now , the kilt is more commonly worn in Lowland Scotland where probably two thirds of Scotland's population live, then it stands to reason that more kilts are worn in Scotland than say, 50 years ago.

I never knew that they didn't wear them in the lowlands. I always assumed that they were worn across Scotland until the English outlawed wearing of the tartan. But anyway I wanted this to be a discussion of whether or not the kilt may become common every-day wear in the near future. I've been told that in Ireland many people wear them but only for formal wear.

Personally I hope the kilt never ever becomes a successful fashion item.

Why not? Do you think the fashion industry would get involved and ruin it?

[Jock Scot]

The kilt is known as Highland attire. The kilt is the attire first and foremost of Highland Scots. Even today some Highlanders do not like others wearing the kilt. Can I suggest that you read two of my past threads, Food for Thought and Food for Thought 2, for a taste of what some Highland Scots think of others wearing the kilt. You may find the threads illuminating.

[John_Carrick]

I wear one but I seldom meet another fellow in one in either Northern Ireland or the Republic. Very occasionally a groom and party may wear them in the South, but they are quite popular for formal occasions in NI and pipe bands are extremely common. Half the population in NI would have an Ulster Scots lineage. The kilt is well received in both parts of the island, although you do encounter the usual eejits with the usual comments.
There is little hope of them becoming common day to day.
You don't see all that many in Scotland either, especially away from Edinburgh.

[Jock Scot]

I never knew that they didn't wear them in the lowlands. I always assumed that they were worn across Scotland until the English outlawed wearing of the tartan. But anyway I wanted this to be a discussion of whether or not the kilt may become common every-day wear in the near future. I've been told that in Ireland many people wear them but only for formal wear.


Why not? Do you think the fashion industry would get involved and ruin it?

I am afraid you have been misinformed. The English did not outlaw the wearing of tartan. The British did. English and British are not the same thing and an important distinction.

As to the fashion world ruining the kilt, many, including me, would consider that they have, in some ways, already done so!

[Kamilavalamp]

I am afraid you have been misinformed. The English did not outlaw the wearing of tartan. The British did. English and British are not the same thing and an important distinction.

As to the fashion world ruining the kilt, many, including me, would consider that they have in some ways already done so!

Sorry I didn't make the distinction, I was born in America and distinctions like English\British And UK\England\Great Britain\Britannia\British Empire Always confuse me.
I was raised Irish-American and we always called anyone from Britain English. Now since I discovered I'm Scottish and Irish I should learn the difference.

[Jock Scot]

------------------ Now since I discovered I'm Scottish and Irish I should learn the difference.

I am quite sure that you will find that useful.

[terry m]

Last time we were in the Scottish Highlands we stayed nr. Inverness. No one wore the kilt as I remember apart from a few older men in Inverness itself and the male guide on a day trip we took to Culloden field.
Last year we went to a wedding in Moffat, a lowland town and there were lots of people buying kilts in a shop the name of which I can't remember but no one wearing one. I browsed the shop for ages but the cost was too much.
I have actually seen more people in kilts in England. This is just my experience though and even then it is limited to military parades, weddings and a bagpiper busker who plays in our town centre.
I don't know as an English man whether I would actually wear my kilt in Scotland as reaction can vary a great deal.

[hector]

Jeans originate from the US. They are worn all around the globe! Moreover jeans are one of the most worn garments by men as well as women.
Thinking even for a nano moment in time that the same could one day apply for the kilt is pure fantasy.
You may feel this is very unfortunate, and I agree, it is!
However, this cannot withhold you as a free person to wear the kilt whenever you want and where ever you want to do so. The sole element to take into consideration is that kilts should be worn with respect for the beauty of this garment.