Just because we can?

[Jock Scot]

I, like many others, do not reside within Scotland's borders. I do, however, have ancestral ties to Scotland. I own a couple kilts..two traditional tartan kilts, and one utility kilt. My utility kilt is the kilt that I typically wear for "every day" stuff..such as house work, errands, etc. I don't, however, wear it on a regular basis, typically when I want to wear a kilt but don't want a sporran bouncing off my bits. The traditional kilts get worn on anniversaries, date nights with my wife, highland games, and sometimes when I am doing a show with my band. When I do wear a traditional kilt, I try to wear it with respect.

I really do not want to start a riot here, so don't shoot the messenger, please. But just so you know, a "utility" style kilt is a rare sight in Scotland. I can only remember ever seeing three maybe four. Speaking for myself and many of my Scottish kilt wearing friends and I suspect many in Scotland too, although I obviously cannot speak for them. Anyway, it is the traditional looking and preferably made traditionally out of wool, but in truth who can tell at ten yards, its a tartan kilt. So really the tartan kilt is the only thing that I regard as a kilt. The utility style kilt has a large and honourable following outwith the UK and whilst they can only be described as a kilt and let us be absolutely clear here about that, but as far as my discussion here I do not regard them as "real kilts". Also to be crystal clear, I could not give a hoot how or where the utility style kilt is worn as they are not the issue in this discussion.

[Mikilt]

Jock,
I am with you on wearing the kilt how, when and where appropriate. The majority of the occasions to which I wear a kilt call for smart daywear, so that is how I endeavor to dress.

I feel that I respect the kilt and the land from which it came by wearing it well and being informed about the kilt and Scotland's place in history. So my answer to you is yes, I can, I do and I will wear the kilt.

[Marine2141]

I really do not want to start a riot here, so don't shoot the messenger, please. But just so you know, a "utility" style kilt is a rare sight in Scotland. I can only remember ever seeing three maybe four. Speaking for myself and many of my Scottish kilt wearing friends and I suspect many in Scotland too, although I obviously cannot speak for them. Anyway, it is the traditional looking and preferably made traditionally out of wool, but in truth who can tell at ten yards, its a tartan kilt. So really the tartan kilt is the only thing that I regard as a kilt. The utility style kilt has a large and honourable following outwith the UK and whilst they can only be described as a kilt and let us be absolutely clear here about that, but as far as my discussion here I do not regard them as "real kilts". Also to be crystal clear, I could not give a hoot how or where the utility style kilt is worn as they are not the issue in this discussion.

I figured your original post in regards to a traditional tartan kilt, not a modern utility style "kilt".

[Nathan]

Like most Canadians, I wear my particular ethnic garb to cultural events and occasions where it is appropriate and otherwise I dress according to the local customs.

These include: Highland Games, Celtic Festivals, Multicultural Festivals, Clan Donald events, Scottish Country Dance events, Gaelic Society Ceilidhs, Tartan Day, Robbie Burns Suppers, St. Andrew's Society Meetings, Tartan Tuesdays and the occasional gala. There are typically a number of kilts worn at regular black tie events here. It's not an uncommon sight, though it is in the minority. That said, I typically opt for a regular tuxedo at most non-Scottish black tie functions.

I probably wear my kilt more often than many kilt wearing Scots because I'm involved in many diaspora groups and societies that celebrate and perpetuate Scottish/Highland culture in Canada.

Aside from these events, I've been known to wear the kilt hiking on occasion, but more often than not, I don't bother.

That means I wear my kilt on average 2 or 3 times a month. More in the summer. Seems like plenty to me.

Nathan

[SPS tools]

... Anyway, it is the traditional looking and preferably made traditionally out of wool, but in truth who can tell at ten yards, its a tartan kilt. So really the tartan kilt is the only thing that I regard as a kilt. The utility style kilt has a large and honourable following outwith the UK and whilst they can only be described as a kilt and let us be absolutely clear here about that, but as far as my discussion here I do not regard them as "real kilts". Also to be crystal clear, I could not give a hoot how or where the utility style kilt is worn as they are not the issue in this discussion.

(my emphasis)
Glad to see this clarification.

I'm probably one of those who offend Jock's sensibilities. I've had to think long & hard about my response. Not wanting to offend & not wanting to be offended.

I have been wearing kilts (mostly utility styles) full time for the past 7 years. It started when I shattered my ankle; pants would require major revisions. I have 3 family tartan kilts (2 of them wool) with the appropriate formal & semi-formal accoutrements which I wear for dressier occasions. I may also wear one with a tweed sport coat for an evening out with a young lady. They replace the nice slacks->tux portion of my wardrobe, as my utilities replace my jeans & Dockers. My friends expect me to be kilted, and comment when I'm not in my normal attire. Most folks on the street who comment on my kilt do so favorably. (BTW: The most frequent question is, "Do you play the pipes?") I have come to consider kilts (of both stripes) a comfortable alternative to pants. I also consider pants "safety gear", to be worn when riding my motor scooter or operating a chain saw (w/chaps). Being retired, I don't have to worry about Human Resources or other regulations.
One of the things I like about kilts is that by varying the accoutrements, I can vary the level of dress. Whereas a pair of striped tuxedo pants would never do for a casual evening out with friends, and conversely wearing a pair of Dockers to the opera would never do, even here in Colorado. Were I to wear kilts only for special occasions which dictate that attire they would become - COSTUME!
As a general rule, I believe dress codes are both more detailed and more rigid in the UK than they are here in the USA, especially in The West. Most people wouldn't know the difference between black tie, white tie, or morning dress - they're all formal. I know that my concept of the difference is fuzzy at best. For many, wearing a coat & tie is fancy. I could point out that I tend to lounge around the house in a yukata(Japanese cotton robe). And on occasion I visit clothing optional facilities, not pants or kilts required.

As an interesting aside, I find Jock's Field Marshall Lord Slim quote somewhat askew with some of his positions.

[Jock Scot]

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As an interesting aside, I find Jock's Field Marshall Lord Slim quote somewhat askew with some of his positions.

I see no reason to derail a perfectly sound thread. However should you wish to start another thread, or perhaps send me a PM, citing examples, I will endeavour to answer your questions and concerns satisfactorily. Over to you.

[Jock Scot]

PM received and PM satisfactorily answered, I think.

[Taskr]

Jock,

You don't pull back on your commentary. I find that rather refreshing since we do know serving one's intellectual curiosity its not intended to offend. And makes one think.

When I started wearing the kilt - a very special occasion for my mother - I was on the road to becoming one of those almost-all-the-time ers. The personal reasons are inconsequential, but were within the realm of commemorate and celebrate. That calmed down considerably when practicality won out. I do still wear the kilt "just because" mostly because ...well why not? Its a handsome and comfortable garment. It is not frowned on or ridiculed and is only one among many multicultural (and multi-religious) articles see to be worn out and about by the multitudes. I wear it for what it is and dress casually along the lines of "10 looks", not grunge or dishevelled.

I'm not a Scot, but my name does exist in the book of descendants disembarked from the Hector - along two family lines. Gaelic was the second language taught me in elementary school, I know the pipes are indeed a powerful musical instrument, and the Inverness Set remains encoded in my muscle memory. I'm ok with the kilt in the office just as I'm ok with the jacket and tie normally worn. Its clothes, I like it, and (ego alert) I'm told I look good in it - but so too my better business clothes. I'm not going to hide the kilt away for only special occasions.

Wear it because we can. How awful not to have the choice.

I will wear it in the car
I wear it in the bar
I will wear it here and there
I will wear it anywhere
and though the kilt it shows the gams
I do so like it, Sam I Am

[Mike M.]

I'll confess to not wearing my kilt often. Thanksgiving dinner. Scottish events. The occasional other event. It's not daily wear. I try to be unobtrusive.

[OC Richard]

I don't wear the kilt every day and I don't expect to wear the kilt for every occasion. I could, but I don't. Why? Its called common sense, discretion and an ability to consider others and these three things vary in importance for each and every occasion.

Just why must some of you insist on wearing the kilt on almost every occasion you can think of when, your boss, wife, partner, host, occasion may differ and when frankly, the event dictates for many reasons, that something other than the kilt ought to be worn?

I'm with you in that I only wear Highland Dress when occasion calls for it (as it seems to me).

It's none of my business how others dress. I applaud fulltime kiltwearers even though I could never imagine being one myself. Why? I don't know... there's part of me that respects people who are comfortable being eccentric.

But for me clothes are form-follows-function. I live in a warm place and most of the time I wear t-shirts, cargo shorts, and zorries. My clothes are cheap so if something wears out or gets something spilled on it, no worries.

When the function calls for Highland Dress I wear it, and take great pride in it. As a working piper it's my work clothes, my 'monkey suit' as musicians call their tux. Other functions would be attending specifically Scottish events.

Nearly 100% of my friends in the piping community turn up their noses at Utilikilts and wouldn't be caught dead in one. I like the way they look on others, I did from the first time I saw one, but they're not for me. They fill no function for me. They're neither Highland Dress per se, nor cheap comfortable everyday clothing.