Why don't more Scottish citizens wear kilts?

[neloon]

I feel that for the majority in Scotland Kilt wearing is only really kept for a special occasion (Weddings, Black Tie Dinners, First Communions, New Years Eve, Burns Suppers, etc.)

Up until about 50 years ago, church attendance on Sunday would have been a "special occasion" when one's "Sunday Best" would have been worn. For young lads especially but for their fathers as well, that would often have meant the kilt. That has all but disappeared nowadays and so the special occasions are no longer weekly but spread throughout the year and in variable contexts, but the kilt is still the "best wear" option.
Alan

[Cavalry Scout]

Well yes and no, TPA. I certainly think that some of the younger generation's concerns about the tartan kilt and the tourist industry is a fairly recent occurrence. However the general thought of "playing at being a Scot" has been a good natured thought/comment that has been about for all of my life as has the rather more cutting term of "pocket Scot" which thankfully seems to be falling out of use these days.

Jock, What is a pocket Scot? I've not had any luck finding a definition.

Thanks in advance, Mark

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Jock, What is a pocket Scot? I've not had any luck finding a definition.

Thanks in advance, Mark

I may be speaking out of turn, and probably off the mark as well, but I suspect it may have the same connotation as a gaming pejorative: "Wallet Warrior" - one who buys all the best kit without investing the time in understanding the game, or working for it step by step...

Please correct me if I've erred.

[Grouse Claw]

Few Scots had the advantage I had of being bought a kilt at a young age and wearing it at least...

i am one of those lucky people. My parents bought me a kilt when I was very young, and living in Clydebank. It was the thing to do then. Just a few years ago I decided to wear the kilt here in New Zealand-a daunting prospect outside the pipe band culture. Had my parents not dressed me up in Scotland I wouldn't have had the courage to do it here. The only wearer I have seen outside the band scene was a tourist. I was captivated, and that was 30 years ago, at least. I have not seen one since. I have heard it said that the elderly are invisible. Not in a kilt! I'm looking for a buddy in Christchurch who also wears the kilt when he feels like it. Join the forum!

[GG]

I have one tux and one full evening dress (tales) to be used very, very seldom. And perhaps they won’t even fit me anymore, or fit me very badly or look totally out of fashion? Most Danes will hire when needed – or show up in a nice business suit, which is in most cases fully accepted. Probably the market for such clothes is dramatically declining, and may in ten years be practically non-existent?
Or might, after all, these types of products be saved by a demand in other countries?

Relevant to mention on a kilt forum? Well…

[OC Richard]

Its the first time I've heard "pocket Scot"... it brings to mind the Irish term "plastic Paddy" which I often hear.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_Paddy

Here's perhaps the bit that relates to "pocket Scot"

Within Ireland, "plastic paddy" may refer to someone who misrepresents the Irish culture by enacting ethnic stereotypes that portray an inaccurate, outdated and offensive image of Ireland and Irish culture. This is often seen in non-Irish citizens who have a romantic or noble savage image of "the Irish Race," and those who enact stereotypes to appeal to tourists. This naming is a critical reaction to, and defiance of, the demeaning, inaccurate depictions of the Irish at celebrations that originated in the Irish diaspora, as well as the commercialisation and distortion of St. Patrick's Day.

I might flip the question "why don't more Scottish people wear kilts?" and ask "why don't more Americans wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots?"

They're sort of equivalent, being the worldwide stereotypes of Scotland and the USA respectively.

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

[Profane James]

"Pocket Scots"...missed opportunity for a male genital joke...

[DWFII]

Its the first time I've heard "pocket Scot"... it brings to mind the Irish term "plastic Paddy" which I often hear.

I might flip the question "why don't more Scottish people wear kilts?" and ask "why don't more Americans wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots?"

They're sort of equivalent, being the worldwide stereotypes of Scotland and the USA respectively.

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

I wore boots and hats for many years. The real issue with that is the fact that people misunderstand the culture (deliberately so?) and misinterpret what is appropriate when. It takes a little bit of research to pull it off...accurately and Traditionally.

And without that research, it looks pretentious and affected.

And that ruins it for everybody else. Simply because most people won't know, and won't care to know what it takes to be "authentic." So even if you are, you look pretentious to people who don't know. And people give you subtle cues that say they think you're pretending. Yes, yes "who cares what others think?"B ut no man is an island and all bravado and defiance aside, in the face of that, you can feel pretentious yourownself.

That's the key to wearing the kilt as well, IMO--wearing it authentically. And that authenticity comes from knowing what is appropriate...what a kilt is, perhaps, and what it represents...and where and when. That's respect. And without respect, it's costume.

I make cowboy boots (for the last 45+ years) and yet I feel uncomfortable wearing western wear anymore. Even at western events.

IMO, it's almost a variation of the "Stolen Valor" meme. If you didn't earn it, you don't know what it's about. If you don't know what it's about, it's pretense.

And if you have earned it, it can feel graceless to draw attention to yourself.

IMO...YMMV

[Liam]

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

As did I, and for many years as my casual wear with blue jeans. I still own a pair, but rarely wear them.

[Loxlie]

I might flip the question "why don't more Scottish people wear kilts?" and ask "why don't more Americans wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots?"

They're sort of equivalent, being the worldwide stereotypes of Scotland and the USA respectively.

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

Cowboy hats and boots are requisite, here in Texas.