Another Kilt?

**Gary** · 22nd February 05, 11:14 AM

Never had trouble with either type kilt. In summer when a lot of guys are wearing shorts, few passersby even realize that I'm wearing a utilikilt and not shorts, in winter they stand out more. People tend to be very unobservant. Tartan kilts are rarely missed.

Acceptance of the solid kilts is about the same as with a tartan around here. Many people have heard of Utilikilts, and most just assume that any pleated garment worn by a man is a kilt of some sort.

Wear what you're comfortable with, confidence goes a long way.

It is much easier to kilt as an adult. I've been at numerous school functions while my sons were in high school, usually kilted, and never had any problem with anyone. My son and two of his friends wore
kilts for school spirit day (dress as your favorite actor) and hadn't made it 20 feet before the assistant principal asked if they had something on underneath. After they said yes, he told them to watch their backs. My son managed to get through the day without getting his kilt lifted, but it took a lot of work. His friends got theirs lifted so many times, they lost count, but both of them were thoroughly enjoying the attention.

**Hamish** · 22nd February 05, 11:39 AM

Dylan, it's good to have you back again - try not to stay away so long next time!

I agree with Raphael and others here.

From 1950, when I began kilt wearing for my Scottish Country (and Highland) dancing activities at the age of 14, to the present day, I've occasionally heard the "I like yer skirt" comment, and it is probably unavoidable (no matter how much "swagger" you might adopt!). This is entirely down to the ignorance of the morons who utter the words - it has nothing at all to do with how you look, regardless of whether you are in a tartan or a plain kilt.

Naturally, I was uncomfortable at having such comments made at me, both in those early days when I wore the kilt maybe only once a week, and again almost six years ago when I began wearing it daily. You soon get used to it, however, and with every kilted outing it becomes easier. Believe me, I (and many others) have been there. Now, generally, I am just not aware of the things people say or whisper as they pass on the street. If, however, something is said so loudly that I cannot avoid hearing it, I usually smile and thank them for the compliment. That takes the wind out of their sails!

Occasionally someone with a genuine interest will speak about the plain kilts: asking "what tartan is that?" or "I've never seen a plain kilt before". I simply explain that a kilt does not have to be in a tartan, that it is a 'casual' or 'leisure' kilt and that I am wearing it for comfort. It's an option that I have. That is usually more than enough to satisfy their curiosity. Many kiltmakers now supply a handfull of business cards with every new kilt. Handing one of those over with the comment, "Take a look at this website - you won't be able to resist getting a kilt for yourself." Or, if it's a woman, "Take a look at the website. You'll want to get one of these for the man in your life.", will often win them over too.

A good friend of mine, and a neighbour, still refer to all my kilts, tartan or plain, as "your skirts". I have tried to put these people wise, to convert their way of thinking, but they will not change. It does not worry me now, because I know there is no malice attached.

If you fancy a plain kilt, Dylan, go for it. You'll not regret it - that's a promise

**Phil Wright** · 22nd February 05, 02:52 PM

I'm 36 - not quite a youngster but I certainly don't think of myself as old. I also take some sense of pride in what I look like and would rather seem to 'fit in' than stand out. (See Tuesday threads about kilts being an optional choice for male attire.) However, I was really heartened when I wore my kilt to primary school where I work for Burn's 'night'. The kids were fascinated and developed the name 'man-skirt' for my kilt; - which it is! None of them were bothered or funny about it which made me feel that it is acceptable in their eyes. Problems have been very occasional and usually because of a lack of understanding by some person very set in their ways - and usually keen to let everyone know their opinions.
It comes down to being more frequently seen. We have home decorating programmes where the host wears a kilt, Monarch... (of course). If younger people grow up with it, it will quickly become the new norm.

(Thank goodness it seems to be happening with racism as the World becomes a smaller place.)
As far as confidence, no-one asks you to comment uninvited about their clothing, so they shouldn't do it to you. It's ignorant and those people's opinions really shouldn't matter. Besides, if you've got the cash to get what you want, you want to get your moneys worth out of it

Go for it!
Phil

**Buddha** · 22nd February 05, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Magnus Sporrano

The most horrid kilt I saw all weekend though was a tartan kilt. It only went halfway down the man's thigh before stopping. Oh the shame. Oh the horror! I didn't say anything to him but I was talking about it to my wife when the guy came over and started talking to the guy standing right in front of me so he might have heard about it after the fact.

yeah... last year while I was shagging the caber at Green Lane Festival there was another shagger who had the Glen Danzig devil lock hair with a tartan kilt that came just below his *** crack...

quite a funny sight

**Hamish** · 22nd February 05, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Buddha

.................................................. .......................... there was another shagger who had the Glen Danzig devil lock hair with a tartan kilt .................................................. ........................

Buddha, would you explain what this means, please?

**Buddha** · 22nd February 05, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

Originally Posted by Buddha

.................................................. .......................... there was another shagger who had the Glen Danzig devil lock hair with a tartan kilt .................................................. ........................

Buddha, would you explain what this means, please?

ok...here are some definitions

shagger: a meaning that depends on context. you obviously know one meaning. in celtic games the shagger is the guy who carries the caber over sets the one end between the athletes feet and raises it up. I'm doomed to be a shagger for quite some time due to tendonitis in the elbow

Glen Danzig: former front man for the punk band the Misfits, now has his own band, Danzig (Danzig 2 is the best IMO, but I digress). back in the day his haircut was short with a devils lock in the front (long strip of hair hanging in the front)

how's that for some definitions. dont worry, it didnt mean what you thought it meant.

**Jewddha** · 22nd February 05, 05:23 PM

Dylan, I'll let you know ;). I am also a youngster (the wee age of 16... nearing 17), and I'm waiting on my order from Steve over at FK as well. I do not consider myself to be a high confidence person, but then again, I've got no reason NOT TO BE WEARING A KILT, be it tartan or solid.

**Hamish** · 23rd February 05, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Buddha

ok...here are some definitions

shagger: a meaning that depends on context. you obviously know one meaning. in celtic games the shagger is the guy who carries the caber over sets the one end between the athletes feet and raises it up. I'm doomed to be a shagger for quite some time due to tendonitis in the elbow

Glen Danzig: former front man for the punk band the Misfits, now has his own band, Danzig (Danzig 2 is the best IMO, but I digress). back in the day his haircut was short with a devils lock in the front (long strip of hair hanging in the front)

how's that for some definitions. dont worry, it didnt mean what you thought it meant.

Many thanks, Buddha. It was the "Glen Danzig" and "Devil's Lock" references that I was puzzled by - never having heard of him (nor The Misfits as it happens - but then I have never been 'into' pop/rock/punk/etc., music

) I'll be able to sleep tonight, now!

**Buddha** · 23rd February 05, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

Many thanks, Buddha. It was the "Glen Danzig" and "Devil's Lock" references that I was puzzled by - never having heard of him (nor The Misfits as it happens - but then I have never been 'into' pop/rock/punk/etc., music

) I'll be able to sleep tonight, now!

well, I dont know quite what music you are into, but if you like a more classical sound, give Danzig's album Black Aria a listen