Why don't people wear their kilts more?

[kingandrew]

I encourage you to keep setting the others a good example and maybe they will be emboldened to get their kilts out the closet and wear them more often.

I wear mine about once a week or so. I can assure you that I am the only one in the Chinese seaside resort where I live that wears a kilt, so I always draw some attention. But as a 6 foot plus white guy with a beard, I will stand out here, no matter what I wear. So I just wear it with pride and all the comments I've received have been positive.

In January I wore my kilt to a Burns Supper in Hong Kong thrown by a local Scottish society and was surprised to see that most of the men in attendance were wearing tuxedo jackets with trousers, rather than highland dress. So this situation seems to pertain in many places far removed from Houston

Andrew

[neloon]

... the thought of having to explain myself all the way up and down is off putting. Why are you wearing that? Are you going to the rugby? Etc., etc. I can be rather tiring ....

Are you exaggerating, Peter? Beyond expressions of approval, I am never asked these questions, even in England.

Alan

[OC Richard]

I have worn kilts, or tails, or plus fours, or cord trousers, or dinner jackets, or trouser waders, etc., when the appropriate occasion occurs...

This concurs with my thinking and practice.

From the standpoint of a musician, to the question

"why don't people wear their kilts more?"

I might counter by asking

"why don't people wear their tuxedos more?"

because for me Highland Dress and tuxedos are specialised clothing I wear when working as a musician.

But as far as the OP's experience goes, at that concert I too would have worn Highland Dress because I've not owned a suit in decades. I can't see going to the expense of buying a suit that I would very rarely wear (being as I'm in Southern California) when I have Highland Dress that will serve when needed.

[OC Richard]

A kilt would be logical given the tartan-related lecture but the thought of having to explain myself all the way up and down is off-putting. Why are you wearing that? Are you going to the rugby? It can be rather tiring...

Here I only get "nice kilt!" or less often "where are your bagpipes?"

Not a worry.

BTW when kilted in Las Vegas during the USA Sevens everyone knows I'm going to the rugby! The town is full of rugby-goers in their outfits of every description.

[DaveScott]

Waiting for the New Zealand All Black rugby team to have a home game against Scotland - will be mad keen to go and definitely will be wearing a kilt.

Will be even more reason to celebrate if the Scotland lads get up and take a win. Historic!

[figheadair]

Are you exaggerating, Peter? Beyond expressions of approval, I am never asked these questions, even in England.

Alan

Alan, afraid not. The most recent example being traveling from Stirling to Edinburgh - Oh what's the occasion? 🙄

[Jock Scot]

Oooops sorry, dual post.

[Jock Scot]

Alan, afraid not. The most recent example being traveling from Stirling to Edinburgh - Oh what's the occasion? 🙄

That's what happens when traveling in the Lowlands when wearing the kilt in my experience.

Still its better than it used to be in the 1940's/50's when derision and a certain amount of open hostility was common place in the Central Belt when we used to venture forth there wearing the kilt.

[Me cousin Jack]

Alan, afraid not. The most recent example being traveling from Stirling to Edinburgh - Oh what's the occasion? 🙄

Exactly, I’ve no occasion.

[Jock Scot]

Exactly, I’ve no occasion.

I have been thinking about my reply quite carefully as I think the reply above separates the Traditional kilt wearing Highland Scot from every one else. Why?

Well, the Highland Scot does not need an occasion to wear the kilt, he might of course have a reason to, like a family wedding and many have good reason not to, like going to sea in a fishing boat, but I think many of us don the kilt for no other reason than we feel like doing so. It’s what Highland Scots have been doing for centuries and no local would have cause to question that decision, it may not be the choice on that particular day for others to wear their kilt for all sorts of reasons, but it would never occur to anyone here in the Highlands to question why a particular Highlander is wearing the kilt at a particular time.

Yet another reason why the kilt being worn in Highland Scotland, by Highland Scots seems so different to the rest of the world.