Why do you wear your kilt?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Ugly Bear has a point. As someone who wears the kilt "professionally" so-to-speak, you are in a different situation than most on this board. I tell people that I wear the kilt every day I am working (I work at the Scottish Tartans Museum, in case you didn't know). Sometimes people give me a hard time for not wearing it all the time. If I like the kilt so much, why don't I wear it on my days off?

Because any time you wear a kilt in public, you have to be prepared to answer questions about it. People will come up and ask. It's just a fact. Well, that's what I do all day long -- answer questions about the kilt, tartan, Scotland, etc. And that's precisely why I don't wear a kilt on my day off -- because I want a day off! Lol...

Aye,
Matt

[beverlonian]

Because it is very comfortable.

Because it looks good.

Because it distinguishes me from every other Joe Bloggs (no, Bloggs is not my name!).

[Daneel]

Because I can, and in this world of ever increasing attempts to make us all PC and be like every one else. Its great to be able to be different and still be attached to history, both Scots and also the ever changing, ever developing kilt. Oh and for all the other reason the guys have posted so far.

[Yaish]

1.Comfort - I like the way it feels. Pants are way too confining.

2. Looks - I like the way it looks. I dont give a damn what anyone else thinks, but it just so happens most other people, especially the female persuasion like the way I look as well.

3. Pockets - I wear a Utilikilt most of the time and I can now easily bring all the stuff with me I used to just wish I could. I no longer have to decide whether to bring my book with me, or worry about my cellphone on its belt clip, or take just the cards I think I'll need in my wallet. There is room for all that and more in the kilt and the pockets never press against like legs like cargo shorts or pants would.

4. Weather - California can get hot, kilts have a built in breeze. With a simple sway you can get some great air conditioning

5. Variety - Blue jeans come in blue, and well, other shades of blue, and maybe black. Dress pants come in differnt colors but dont work well for daily wear for me. My kilts come in all sorts of colors and styles so I never have to wear the same thing twice in a week. Just imagine the possibilities if you wear tartans.

6. "Ahhhh..." - That was the noise I made when my pants first dropped from under me as I wrapped a kilt about my waist for the first time on a 90 degree day. I'll never forget that.

[Lee]

At the risk of repeating prior responses . . .

1) feels good . . . into 10th week kilted full-time at work . . . .
2) looks good (in my opinion . . . and in those of others that I choose to listen to)
3) sure, it's different (very different here, in Ottawa, Canada)
4) a salute to heritage

Lee

[Kilted Kit]

Balls.

[hpdpipemajor]

Thanks everyone for your responses, and thanks for the heads up on the search option here on the forum. ;-) I assumed by now this question would have long since been asked, but I figured that my perspective might be at least a little different, for as Mr. Newsome and Mr. Ugly Bear cite, I DO wear it professionally, and just as I wouldn't expect a house painter to wear his work overalls casually (though they may around here), it makes sense that I would be less likely to wear my kilt about casually. Thanks for helping me to get at the root if this, for I was really starting to feel left out, wondering if there was something I was missing that the rest of you had. Perhaps I will take your advice Mr. Ugly Bear and get a new kilt that is just for me, and not for work. I have been thinking about it for some time, and perhaps now is the time.

I do wish to say that I am particularly fascinated with the number responses I have been getting that mention the wearer's improved self-image. I feel that there is a general trend towards men becoming more comfortable about being men and feeling attractive, despite the manure that most of the men in my generation, and likely most other generations, have grown up with that men are all evil pigs bent on world domination and therefore you should hate yourself for being a man, especially if you are of European descent (a bit of exaggeration, but not much). I feel that this "hate the white man" philosophy has been the primary cause in the negative self-image of most modern men, and I think it is VERY healthy indeed that we all take an interest in ourselves. I just find it particularly fascinating that the kilt is playing a major role in our strange little bit of self-help. Thanks again everyone!

I would like to say that I am quite enjoying myself on this forum and I have really appreciated the openness of everyone here! You will make an addict out of me yet! Cheers mates! -- Ry

[Iolaus]

...that men are all evil pigs bent on world domination...

You say that like it's a bad thing!

[hpdpipemajor]

You say that like it's a bad thing!

Sorry, that was just my social programming talking ...

[Nick]

I'm not Scottish, so heritage had nothing to do with it, really. I got involved in Highland dance after being in Brigadoon (and I was Tommy, so I never got to wear a kilt!), and wore a kilt for that. I liked how it felt and how it looked, so I started wearing them more.

I like the way I look in them, for one thing, and that's saying a lot since I have a very low self-image. And it's given me extra motivation to lose my gut, so I can get a traditional kilt and not have to get it re-sized at some point.

They're very comfortable. In all kinds of ways.

My girlfriend loves them. 'Nuff said.

I don't wear them all the time, because I only have three wearable ones (I'd wear the great kilt with a t-shirt, but it's to much work to put on in the morning!)

So image and comfort are the major reasons. And the fact that they're just darn spiffin' cool.