Why don't people wear their kilts more?

[Me cousin Jack]

I cannot escape the feeling in regards to the matter of Ren Fairs, that I am glad that there are a couple of thousand miles of water between me and them!

Well then, how about Dinner and some jousting.


https://www.medievaltimes.com/about-the-show/index.html

[Highland Logan]

The question was “Why don’t people wear their kilts more?” and I have to admit, shamefaceadly, that the main reason is laziness. When I get up in the morning I pull on a shirt, pair of jeans or whatever and am ready to go. If it was a kilt it would be hose, flashes, sporran and a belt, not to mention a kilt of course then something on top, probably a shirt and sweater or something more formal. All very well and good if I was going somewhere special but just to slop about the house or go to the shops then, no, too much trouble and also the chance of damaging a rather expensive garment (£550 kilt) doing chores.
Utilikilts and other cheap options are not for me so I go the route of least resistance and don’t wear a kilt as everyday attire.

That was the question, but the context was nicer events and nicer places, then popping out to get a loaf of bread. The original question has evolved as posters have attempted to reply. I feel however that the larger point is being missed.

For example your answer is honest, but is yours alone. Anyone replying to this will have their own answer, which will be true only to them. Their may of course be cross over.. I'm sure most can cite lazy as the why, myself included from time to time, when a kilt would have been a good choice.

The larger point, I feel, is why should anyone care when I, or others wear a kilt, and to when and when?

I have seen this type of question appear on this board multiple time over the years. All I can honestly say, is that this is not a religion, kilts are not vestments, to point this out is not heresy or blasphemy. People are individuals, with individual choice. I don't tend to ponder the choices others have made differently then mine. I don't wonder why the guy in front of me at a checkout isn't wearing a tie. I don't wonder why someone has chosen to make an individual choice when dressing themselves before they left their house. Maybe they're wearing underwear as a hat. I might politely point out, that that's not how they are worn. But it's up to them if they chose to look silly, and judgement for others.

The other side of this coin gets lost on people asking the question. Some here have pointed out personal stories of feeling out of place, or being told they are by others by not adhearing to some rule on dress, spoken or otherwise while wear their kilt. Many post can be found on the board regarding this. Others chose to only wear the kilt to Scottish events, as this is all they have it for.

So that other side is, why are you wearing a kilt?

The kilt is many things to many people. There are as many reasons people wear one, as there are reason they don't, and like snowflakes, no two answers will match 100%.

A bit rambly, but truly I don't understand why this question continues to be asked, and why anyone cares that people are not wearing their kilts.

Frank

[Singlemalt]

I find it interesting that wife's negative opinion of kilt wearing has come up so often in this active thread. I am glad that is not an issue for me. I was already an occasional kilt wearer when my wife and I first met so she knew what she was getting into and I wore my kilt at our wedding nearly 40 years ago. She has always been very supportive and encouraging about my kilt wearing despite her Teutonic background.

[kingandrew]

The OP found that when he wears his kilt to events, he has often had other men come up to him and say they were sorry they hadn't worn their own kilts. So he was wondering why they didn't wear it if they wanted to. i don't think he was looking to judge them, just to understand what was holding them back if A) they had a kilt and B) wanted to wear it.

I am lucky in that my wife, employer, and neighbors all seem supportive and happy to see me kilted. So maybe some of the things that hold others back don't affect me as much.

But like the OP, I encourage people to wear what they like. If we're going through this llfe once, we may as well go dressed as we choose. It is one of the areas in life where we really do have some choices.

I'll be wearing the kilt later today for a St. Patrick's Day brunch thrown by my boss.

Andrew

[Jock Scot]

Me Cousin Jack & OCR.

Thank you for those leads. I have been to one “ mediaeval event” in the UK at Warwick Castle. Whilst it was sometime ago and to be honest, I only went because there was a pretty young lady involved! Hurrumph,well, err ummm that’s another story! So I can only compare that with the pictures of American Renaissance Fairs on this website. Surprise surprise there are huge differences!

The Warwick event was jousting and almost nothing else, a few side events and the spectators were dressed in normal everyday clothing. As the event was deep in the heart of England, so it was no surprise that that there was not a kilt in sight. Frankly I would not expect to see one.

My impressions rightly or wrongly, of an American Ren. Fair are that many of the “crowd” dress in their version of period attire and also some dress in rather more outlandish outfits far removed from any recognised timescale pertaining to the main event. Where the kilt fits into all this escapes me, but there we go.

I think we need to remember that we in the UK are surrounded by well over a thousand years of history on an every day basis. For example, as I type this, I am within five miles of four battle fields, three castles, countless places of historical interest and so on. Making an effort to be involved in history is hardly an issue for any of us in the Uk. Actually most of us, most of the time, take it all for granted as we know it’s there and if we think about it then it’s almost by accident. All this fuss of dressing up in historical outfits, particularly incorrect ones is of little interest for the majority of us.

So yes, I am still very glad of that two thousand miles of water! :lol

[Highland Logan]

My impressions rightly or wrongly, of an American Ren. Fair are that many of the “crowd” dress in their version of period attire and also some dress in rather more outlandish outfits far removed from any recognised timescale pertaining to the main event. Where the kilt fits into all this escapes me, but there we go.

....

So yes, I am still very glad of that two thousand miles of water! :lol

You are 100% correct Jock. As to outlandish, you will find many ferries, witchs, warlocks and a whole host of 'sexy' everything. You won't find any real history... for the most part. These events look more like Dungeons and Dragons come to life, minus the dragons.

Frank

[Wareyin]

I have seen this type of question appear on this board multiple time over the years. All I can honestly say, is that this is not a religion, kilts are not vestments, to point this out is not heresy or blasphemy. People are individuals, with individual choice.

Sadly, many here do want to treat kilt wearing more like a religion, with rules as to when, and why, and where the kilt might be permitted to be worn. And let's not get into the how of it!

[jthk]

Sadly, many here do want to treat kilt wearing more like a religion, with rules as to when, and why, and where the kilt might be permitted to be worn. And let's not get into the how of it!

To each their own.

[jthk]

Good morning, Jock,

Four years ago, I never would've thought I'd be defending Ren Faires. As a former (substantial) critic, I laugh at myself now that I'm writing a note reversing my previous opinion.

As I mentioned in a prior post, these Ren Faires not supposed to be a historical re-enactment. It's not supposed to be authentic. People tend to be aware of that characteristic and they attend to let loose, and have fun for a day. I'm not a regular attendee and have only been to -- yes -- three (!) of these events in my life but that's what I've gathered as a hired musician. I've seen as many men in kilts as men in street clothes, and other trouser-ed garments that AREN'T kilts. Part of the reason why the kilts are so common at these events is there are vendors present who sell light-weight acrylic kilts for cheap and it's an easy purchase.

I suspect the pursuance of sales has driven the number of kilts at Ren Faires up just as the kilt hire industry has driven the use of white hose and, even, how modern clan tartans came into existence: the drive for financial gain.

Please also don't forget that there is approx. 10,000 years or more of human history here in North America as well -- just a different sort than what Europeans have in their back gardens.

All the best from a chilly, forested Massachusetts,
Jonathan

Me Cousin Jack & OCR.

Thank you for those leads. I have been to one “ mediaeval event” in the UK at Warwick Castle. Whilst it was sometime ago and to be honest, I only went because there was a pretty young lady involved! Hurrumph,well, err ummm that’s another story! So I can only compare that with the pictures of American Renaissance Fairs on this website. Surprise surprise there are huge differences!

The Warwick event was jousting and almost nothing else, a few side events and the spectators were dressed in normal everyday clothing. As the event was deep in the heart of England, so it was no surprise that that there was not a kilt in sight. Frankly I would not expect to see one.

My impressions rightly or wrongly, of an American Ren. Fair are that many of the “crowd” dress in their version of period attire and also some dress in rather more outlandish outfits far removed from any recognised timescale pertaining to the main event. Where the kilt fits into all this escapes me, but there we go.

I think we need to remember that we in the UK are surrounded by well over a thousand years of history on an every day basis. For example, as I type this, I am within five miles of four battle fields, three castles, countless places of historical interest and so on. Making an effort to be involved in history is hardly an issue for any of us in the Uk. Actually most of us, most of the time, take it all for granted as we know it’s there and if we think about it then it’s almost by accident. All this fuss of dressing up in historical outfits, particularly incorrect ones is of little interest for the majority of us.

So yes, I am still very glad of that two thousand miles of water! :lol

[Jock Scot]

Good morning, Jock,

Four years ago, I never would've thought I'd be defending Ren Faires. As a former (substantial) critic, I laugh at myself now that I'm writing a note reversing my previous opinion.

As I mentioned in a prior post, these Ren Faires not supposed to be a historical re-enactment. It's not supposed to be authentic. People tend to be aware of that characteristic and they attend to let loose, and have fun for a day. I'm not a regular attendee and have only been to -- yes -- three (!) of these events in my life but that's what I've gathered as a hired musician. I've seen as many men in kilts as men in street clothes, and other trouser-ed garments that AREN'T kilts. Part of the reason why the kilts are so common at these events is there are vendors present who sell light-weight acrylic kilts for cheap and it's an easy purchase.

I suspect the pursuance of sales has driven the number of kilts at Ren Faires up just as the kilt hire industry has driven the use of white hose and, even, how modern clan tartans came into existence: the drive for financial gain.

Please also don't forget that there is approx. 10,000 years or more of human history here in North America as well -- just a different sort than what Europeans have in their back gardens.

All the best from a chilly, forested Massachusetts,
Jonathan

I am well aware of some of the North American history pre-European influx and have always wondered, as an interested observer only, why more is not made of all that wonderful past, by the present residents of North America. Its not for me to comment, but I do honestly pose the question to myself on occasion.