When should a kilt NOT be worn?

[FossilHunter]

My question was less about official or even unofficial positions. That would make the situation easier. It has more to do with " I can, but should I", a question of general appropriateness.

I think Jock Scot has given the most concise advice. You know your congregation better than us and would have a better idea if it would be a distraction or not.

I wear my kilt to church as I would a suit, conservatively and (I hope) tastefully. I do this because it is my “Sunday best” and based on my knowledge of the congregation. If I had reason to suspect I was causing undue distraction or consternation, I would definitely take it into consideration.

For funerals and weddings I have opted to wear a suit instead, primarily because there will often be friends and relatives of the deceased/couple that do not know me and the aforementioned issues of distraction or consternation are more likely to arise.

I think it’s a good question to ask but ultimately it is one you will need to determine the correct answer to. Though perhaps others can help a little by sharing their experiences.

Also keep in mind that “look at me” syndrome is not isolated to kilt wearing. People are perfectly capable of making spectacles of themselves regardless of what they’re wearing.

[John_Carrick]

I was not allowed into a Russian Orthodox Church in France while kilted and realised that it was because of the rule that legs and arms should be respectfully covered and have no problem with that. However, I don't think it is controversial to point out that Jesus did not wear trousers.

[grizzbass]

Then I would say you'll never know until you do. I've always felt whether I do something or not depends more on what I intend to convey, not on how others choose to react to it. In the same event I get some enthusiastic approvals and maybe a few dirty looks (or perceived dirty looks on my part). Other than an official like my old bishop I've never had anyone make a negative comment.
Everyone will react differently to the same event so if I am wearing it to honor the event or service or to honor my progenitors or to please my wife then all I can do if someone is offended is say I'm sorry if they took offense but it was not meant that way and if they can't accept that I'm afraid it will have to be what it is. If a lot of people feel offended then I obviously made a miscalculation. That's never happened though. I have found in my life that no matter what I do someone will be upset so as much as I do want to please people that is like the odds of fooling them.

My question was less about official or even unofficial positions. That would make the situation easier. It has more to do with " I can, but should I", a question of general appropriateness.

[Jock Scot]

To be clear here, I am not a mason and I don’t do religion, of any sort. I only visit a church for funerals and weddings and not to communicate with "someone out there". I do wear the kilt for these functions when appropriate. I go to support those in mourning, or, to enjoy a happy event of a couple starting a life together. In both cases emotions are running high and it is a guests duty to blend in with the event. As with any event as a guest, that duty to blend in is a prerequisite and if there is any danger of that guest causing upset for any reason, including their attire, then they really should consider their hosts in whatever form that takes.

If they cannot conform to the requirements of the event and/or hosts, then they should stay away and with good grace. However I quite accept, it is often a judgement call, particularly for church type events and for me, discretion and consideration of others is paramount.

[OC Richard]

Remove religion/church from the context of the conversation...

Yes it's helpful to take a step back from that for a moment and consider the attending of a church service as you would any other social situation.

For me Highland Dress is working dress, due to me being a piper. Like most pipers I view Highland Dress like orchestral musicians view tuxedos: something required to perform in, and not normally worn otherwise.

An orchestral musician isn't going to show up at his kid's birthday party, or church, in his tuxedo. And it's inconceivable for me to wear my Highland Dress for such things. (Of course it's a different matter if I've been hired to pipe there.)

On the other hand there are events where Highland Dress wouldn't be seen as unusual, particularly Scottish-themed events like Highland Games, Robert Burns suppers, Scottish concerts, and certain church services such as Kirkin' of the Tartans.

Specifically speaking to church services, I've found that attitudes to how people dress varies greatly from congregation to congregation even within the same denomination. Always best, in my opinion, to fly under the radar until you get a feel for that particular congregation. It never hurts to talk it over with the Pastor.

We do have a few Pastors around here who are kilted from time to time, generally for special services. One is a Scot, the others are Americans of Scottish descent. Their congregations seem to find it charming. Occasionally a few congregants will also be kilted on these occasions.

About churches having a dress code, in my own denomination (Catholic) people tend to dress very casually, oftentimes on their way to work and so forth. I've piped at most of the Catholic churches in the area and there's one that has a sign stating what forms of dress are deemed appropriate. However church law states:
Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.
By extension all such persons must be admitted into the building, and since there are no church laws prohibiting certain dress such dress-code signs can be, and are, ignored.

[Riverkilt]

I've had the other side happen. A long time friend in AA died of Hep C from her wilder days (before the wonder pills came along). Her funeral was at the Elk's Lodge in our small town.

I chose to wear a kilt out of respect for her, and being known for wearing kilts it would have been more "look at me" to have shown up in trousers.

After the services her parents couldn't stop thanking me enough for wearing the kilt. They said she always loved kilts and her Scottish ancestry. They considered it a wonderful tribute.

So, hey, it's a crap shoot.

[imbrius]

I've not worn a kilt to church, for the same reasons that Matt mentioned in his original article. I have the same attitude for Masonic degrees.

Now Masonic social events are a different matter. Those I attend kilted almost all the time, because the atmosphere is social and jovial and celebratory. Degrees are sober affairs that, while celebratory, are all about imparting wisdom to the candidate and making their initiatory journey as meaningful as possible. In that case, any sort of distraction is unwelcome, even if the dress code is semi-formal.

For installations of officers, it's at the discretion of the Master being installed. Some WMs, like our own WARPIPER, called for kilts, if owned, for all. Most just say "black tie", where I wear a tuxedo so as not to draw attention away from the officers being installed (even if I'm one of them).

I guess my personal code is "social - yes to the kilt; sober - no to the kilt unless asked"

[TNScotsman]

Being relatively new to kilt wearing (within the past year) I haven't had a great deal of opportunity to consider this. I did go to Christmas Eve service with friends kilted. It's a Methodist church, and there is a certain tradition there of those who wear the kilt donning it for Christmas Eve. In my case, it was worn with a grey Argyll jacket and waistcoat, red and white striped tie, and red hose. Nobody took offense and the couple of comments I got were positive, in part I think because it isn't unusual to see people attend there in kilts.

I haven't gone kilted to regular services at my home church, although I like an earlier poster's thoughts about wearing the kilt on the more holy days in the church calendar as a note of respect and celebration. I've traditionally worn (tastefully) bright colors on Easter to honor that particular church service. Maybe the kilt would be the right way to make note of the most important dates. For Ash Wednesday last night I was in jeans with a button-up shirt and sports coat because Wednesday nights at our church are universally more casual than Sundays, but on Sundays we get everything from full suits to jeans and t-shirts.

From a religious perspective as a Lutheran, I certainly don't see any doctrinal issues with attending church in a kilt. Properly worn, a kilt is modest, respectful attire, which in my mind satisfies what should be expected in church. Just don't paint your face blue or drag your Claymore to the pew...

[kilted2000]

Being relatively new to kilt wearing (within the past year) I haven't had a great deal of opportunity to consider this. I did go to Christmas Eve service with friends kilted. It's a Methodist church, and there is a certain tradition there of those who wear the kilt donning it for Christmas Eve. In my case, it was worn with a grey Argyll jacket and waistcoat, red and white striped tie, and red hose. Nobody took offense and the couple of comments I got were positive, in part I think because it isn't unusual to see people attend there in kilts.

I haven't gone kilted to regular services at my home church, although I like an earlier poster's thoughts about wearing the kilt on the more holy days in the church calendar as a note of respect and celebration. I've traditionally worn (tastefully) bright colors on Easter to honor that particular church service. Maybe the kilt would be the right way to make note of the most important dates. For Ash Wednesday last night I was in jeans with a button-up shirt and sports coat because Wednesday nights at our church are universally more casual than Sundays, but on Sundays we get everything from full suits to jeans and t-shirts.

From a religious perspective as a Lutheran, I certainly don't see any doctrinal issues with attending church in a kilt. Properly worn, a kilt is modest, respectful attire, which in my mind satisfies what should be expected in church. Just don't paint your face blue or drag your Claymore to the pew...

I am sure I could wear a kilt to church no problem, but as Matt points out in his article, would that cause a distraction to others that it would distract from the reason for attending in the first place?

[TNScotsman]

I am sure I could wear a kilt to church no problem, but as Matt points out in his article, would that cause a distraction to others that it would distract from the reason for attending in the first place?

I concur that is the most central question. In my case, our congregation is a rather eclectic mix of research scientists and academics, so we're somewhat accustomed to being surrounded by people that most of society might not consider normal. I try to at least appear relatively normal, in spite of being a crazy academic, but I doubt my kilt would disturb others.

Like most things in life, I agree that there is a line between what is permissible and what is respectful to those around you. That's a judgement call you'll have to make based on your own experiences in your church.