tartans more easily accepted than non-tartan?

[phil h]

And ONE More....

almost NOBODY has actually commented on the actual question I posed at the top of the thread. That is, are tartan kilts with "scottish" accessories more generally and easily accepted by the general public than kilts which are obviously NOT Scottish in origin.

Note...you may know your tartan kilt is made up of cloth that's a generic pattern with no significance, but Joe Bob and Betty Sue only see "plaid" and assume "Scotland".

The fact that there's only been one or two responses in this thread to that question is interesting.

yes IMO, I did say I agree in my first post.

[Alan H]

Yup, that you did, Phil! And thank'ee for doing so, too!

[Mike n NC]

Being a more traditionl kind of guy and not owning any non-tartan kilts, yet...I finally brought myself to try one from Jeff at PK, I can only speak to the reception I get in tartan. Over all they are very well recieved, soprran or no. I find young Marines to be the least receptive while the local, mainly farmer, population tends to give a lot of compliments and ask a lot of questions and I'm guessing the PK will get the same reaction.

BTW, as far as I know, I am the only regular kilt wearer in this part of North Carolina. I have talked to some that claim to own them but only wear them on "occasoins".

Mike

[Gary]

You asked about the tartan kilt vs. non-tartan kilt, and tartan kilt worn casually vs. tartan kilt worn with accessories. There isn't much difference in acceptance of the various kilts as men's attire in the midwest. I've traveled throughout the south, southwest, and northeast without incident. Strangers have never been a problem. People you know are more of an issue, whether friends, coworkers, or family. Solid color kilts are more likely to go unnoticed. Many people aren't observant enough. Tartans are harder to miss, add all the accessories, and people look and probably will ask questions to satisfy their curiosity.

One big key to successful kilt wearing is to be comfortable in what you wear. So wear what makes you feel the most comfortable, if it's a tartan kilt with flashes and sporran, then go for it.

As for what would make significant others most comfortable, ask.

[Rob Wright]

I agree, I only wear a tartan kilt to work, one customer asked a co-worker,"when did you start to hire crossdressers"? so if they think a tartan kilt is cross dressing, what would they think of my leather kilt just saves a bit of hassle.

Back to Alan's original question, I think Phil summed it up pretty well. I think the tartan vs. plain kilt thing depends on where you live, and prevailing attitudes in that area. I live where the necks are red, the belt buckles are the size of dinner plates, and the Wranglers look like body paint. I barely get by in a tartan kilt. My friend doesn't wear his Utilikilt very often because of all the crap he gets for it. And no, he's not some wimpy crybaby; he's a former Army Ranger.

If I lived somewhere else, I'd probably get a plain kilt, though it'd probably be a tweed or plain coloured wool kilt. That's just me though. I guess my suggestion is to kind of feel out what attitude others might have to a plain kilt in the area you live, if you can.

You are right Rufus, where I live very few people know what a kilt is. Even tose who have seen Braveheart and Rob Roy, they do not connect the garments worn in those movies with the tartan kilts I wear. When I decided that I was going to order a kilt to wear at work I had a couple of considerations. 1. Heat, cooking is hot work, this ruled anything that had wool. 2. Safety. How would various materials handle spills, hot oil splatters, flame, etc. This ruled out poly-vis and other materials.
I finally chose a Navy Blue victory kilt and so far for the last 6 1/2 months the material has stood up better than I ever dreamed of. I'm keeping track of how long the material holds up because the kilt is put through more wear and tear than most kilts go through in a given week.

Rob Wright

[arrogcow]

For the most part, my solid kilts (8 UK's and 1 PK) are accepted as kilts. The only negative reaction I have had are either from friends or co- workers (or students) who were just busting on be because they can, and the occasional "drive-by" (literaly shouted from moving cars). Mostly I just get questions about it (is that a kilt, is your band playing somewhere, where can I get one...) if there is any interest at all, and usually I am just ignored (after the initial supprised reaction). While I like tartans, at the moment they are just not as practical. I won't risk a tank for anything more that a special night out, and the cheaper ones (stillwater) just won't hold up to my regular work, plus I need the pocket space and just can't get all of my everyday stuff in a sporran.

I have never had anyone say, "That's not a kilt because it's not tartan." Maybe they say it behind my back, but one look at me should convince anyone that I'm not crossdressing.

Adam

[philibeg]

Flying Phonecian Flamdanger???!!!!!!

[Alan H]

Flying Phonecian Flamdanger???!!!!!!

Well, usually I use another word instead of "flamdanger", and I figure you can guess what it is, but this is one 'o them wholesome forums... yes?

No?

Horrors!!!!

[philibeg]

lol!