Party Scottish style.

[Tobus]

So really, really, what fraction of our lives is it truly not a good idea to wear the kilt or is it just "Well, you don't wear the kilt to go shopping, go to the dentist/doctor/hairdresser, visit friends, go out for a drink/meal ... people just don't do that. "

Part of me agrees with Father Bill, and is disappointed to hear that Scots don't wear the kilt as often as we expect them to (why oh why won't they cater to our expectations?!). We often hear that kilts are for "special occasions" only. But wouldn't an 80th birthday celebration for an aging friend/relative be considered a special occasion? Apparently not. Which leads one to wonder what qualifies as special, or whether there's really even an occasion special enough for the average Scot to want to put on the kilt. Perhaps the "special occasion" excuse is just a convenient way of saying that they really just don't consider the kilt as something they want to wear at all. The less people wear the kilt, the more "it's just not done" becomes the norm.

But the other side of me, as a Texan, understands the concept when I put it in the same context as the clothing people associate with Texas. Down here, fancy cowboy boots, starched jeans, a crisp white starched shirt, and a cowboy hat are seen as iconically traditional. It's socially suitable for many levels of dress, and almost any occasion. And some folks do wear this style of dress every day. Others only wear it for church or weddings or special occaions. But a lot of folks don't wear such an outfit at all. Yet they are still considered good faithful Texans.

I can't think of any reason why it should be any different in Scotland, or the Highlands specifically. Traditional forms of dress still remain traditional and acceptable, but they needn't be slavishly worn by everyone, at every turn, to remain relevant.

[Father Bill]

Traditional forms of dress still remain traditional and acceptable, but they needn't be slavishly worn by everyone, at every turn, to remain relevant.

Aye Tobus; well said, but then I wasn't talking about slavishness, just that what I read described here, to me seems to be a slow and gentle decline towards eventual extinction.

[Jock Scot]

Aye Tobus; well said, but then I wasn't talking about slavishness, just that what I read described here, to me seems to be a slow and gentle decline towards eventual extinction.

Actually Bill, I genuinely think that your concern is misplaced.

[Father Bill]

Actually Bill, I genuinely think that your concern is misplaced.

I certainly hope so!

[neloon]

Bill,
I think the "popularity" of the kilt (in civilian life) has fluctuated enormously over the years. The kilt is certainly worn by more Scots today than in, say, 1800. But it is not worn as "the norm" to anything like the extent to which it would have been seen from the 1920s to the 1970s. Some part of this is due to all sorts of external influences. Clothing is nowadays globally produced rather than locally made and fashion is more international. Decline in church attendance removed the need for "Sunday best" for both boys and men. Perhaps de-kilting in the army other than for ceremonial underlines the "special occasions" angle. We live much more in a "conforming" world than in days of yore. There is also a semi-political component But kilts are quite widely owned and I believe, like Jock, that only a small change in the public psyche might bring about a considerable increase in the visibility of the kilt. Pendulums swing.

Alan