Question from wife

[Cygnus]

While I only occasionally don a kilt (and try to do so respectfully), I do find them to be more comfortable and appealing than trousers and, for that reason, would likely wear kilts more often if I felt comfortable doing so.

Maybe that's why I don't begrudge those that do go kilted 100% of the time - I completely understand why they do it - I simply choose not to, for various reasons.

And I know the topic has been done and redone on this forum, but I can't help but wonder if a Scot taking umbrage at foreigners wearing the kilt isn't a bit like an American chastising a non-American for wearing blue jeans. People wear the quintessential American denim trousers because they're durable and (supposedly) comfortable - both of which are prime reasons I like to wear kilts!

I don't mean to ruffle any feathers and duly recognize the longer history behind the kilt; though any time there's any difference of opinion, I find imagining the involved parties with their roles reversed can be quite useful.


Edit: I see now that kiltedcontractor made the same point (and much more concisely) while my comment window sat open and unattended!

[SPS tools]

...if a Scot taking umbrage at foreigners wearing the kilt isn't a bit like an American chastising a non-American for wearing blue jeans. ...

Or a Stetson with a Cattleman's crease

[Micric]

Funny you should mention a Stetson, SPS.

Though I have lived in Canada for 30 -odd years now, I feel uncomfortable wearing one!....like I'm trying to be something I'm not.
I Have worn one on a tractor with no cab in hot weather, but not publicly. I usually wear a bush -hat or my old bonnet (Highland, not one like Jemima puddleduck!)

Mainly stick to me flat Yorkshire cap. It fits.
I understand the point Jock is trying to get across, and don't particularly appreciate it when he gets cut off a bit in discussions.
How can we give him the chop for telling us what Others think??
For the reason that some in Scotland take it as an affront when outsiders wear their national dress, albeit wear it well, I don't wear the kilt much myself.
We do have some Highland blood , but it is these days rather watered down!

[Liam]

Funny you should mention a Stetson, SPS.

Though I have lived in Canada for 30 -odd years now, I feel uncomfortable wearing one!....like I'm trying to be something I'm not.
I Have worn one on a tractor with no cab in hot weather, but not publicly. I usually wear a bush -hat or my old bonnet (Highland, not one like Jemima puddleduck!)

Mainly stick to me flat Yorkshire cap. It fits.
I understand the point Jock is trying to get across, and don't particularly appreciate it when he gets cut off a bit in discussions.
How can we give him the chop for telling us what Others think??
For the reason that some in Scotland take it as an affront when outsiders wear their national dress, albeit wear it well, I don't wear the kilt much myself.
We do have some Highland blood , but it is these days rather watered down!

Interesting comments..... As a Calgarian, I have "played cowboy" during Stampede week. I wore western boots for years from when I was 15 until I was 45 but have hardly ever worn a Stetson, other than for Calgary Stampede events. My Canadian ancestors raised cattle, farmed, but I'd hardly say they were "Cowboys", they were mixed farmers, not ranchers. I wear a kilt to honour and celebrate my Scottish highland ancestry from where my Canadian ancestors came from. I guess, I could wear overalls to honour my Canadian ancestors, but it would hardly have the romance. I know some view the kilt as Scottish or a Scottish Highland National garment, I view it as a Scottish heritage garment, and don't wear it to "play Scotsman". And by the way my Canadian ancestors wore tweed flat caps, with their denim overalls while either driving a team of horses or later sitting on a tractor.
I don't wish to rehash the issue of who has the "right" to wear a kilt as feelings run strong on all sides, but I feel every bit as entitled to wear a kilt as any Scottish National.
Enough said. I hope others are not offended.

[Mississippi]

I would pose the question to your wife " If a guy was born in the usa, his mother was french Indian, and his father was English/Scottish, what would be appropriate attire?". That is where I am at, I decided that when asked I would be so inclined to inform the asker that It was my assumption that in the United States we may wear what we wish. So far that has been a very good answer as you can see in peoples face their realization that questioning someones dress is most inappropriate, but curiosity about someones dress is just fine.

[OC Richard]

Well, this is the ancient traditional dress of where I'm from



But very few people dress like that now!

Though visitors might find themselves wearing the hat... "It's real... and it smells, too..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTgjZnwsQXI

[jthk]

Well, this is the ancient traditional dress of where I'm from



But very few people dress like that now!

Though visitors might find themselves wearing the hat... "It's real... and it smells, too..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTgjZnwsQXI

Hey now, that's a nice jacket! My father-in-law has one similar from the 1970s. Sweet threads. I've also seen people from the north of Russia who wear big fuzzy hats.

Best,
Jonathan

[Jock Scot]

Funny you should mention a Stetson, SPS.

Though I have lived in Canada for 30 -odd years now, I feel uncomfortable wearing one!....like I'm trying to be something I'm not.
I Have worn one on a tractor with no cab in hot weather, but not publicly. I usually wear a bush -hat or my old bonnet (Highland, not one like Jemima puddleduck!)

Mainly stick to me flat Yorkshire cap. It fits.
I understand the point Jock is trying to get across, and don't particularly appreciate it when he gets cut off a bit in discussions.
How can we give him the chop for telling us what Others think??
For the reason that some in Scotland take it as an affront when outsiders wear their national dress, albeit wear it well, I don't wear the kilt much myself.
We do have some Highland blood , but it is these days rather watered down!

Worry not Richard, I said what I wanted to say to get my point across, after that, there was absolutely nothing else left for me to usefully say.

[tripleblessed]

Worry not Richard, I said what I wanted to say to get my point across, after that, there was absolutely nothing else left for me to usefully say.

Never fear, Jock, that we would cut you off. If all conversations ended when relevant, useful info had come to an end,
there would be a lot of silence and a lot less fun.