I hope kilts are not widely adopted

[KiltedPilot]

I love kilts, but there is a part of me that hopes that kilts are not widely adopted by men.

I don't go out of my way to be different, but when wearing a kilt, I am! Wearing a kilt seems to communicate that your are a confident and interesting person. People notice you. When wearing a kilt strangers are far more likely to come up to me and exchange a pleasant remark.

If every guy dressed in kilts, then wearing a kilt would not be anywhere near as much fun!

Mike

[Alan H]

Mmmm-Hmmm. Exactly.

Yesterday I wore my canvas kilt out for the first time and got a dozen nice comments and had two pleasant conversations, all within an hour, just doing my banking and visitng the hardware store. If I'd had trousers or shorts on, nobody would have bothered to say anything.

[KiltedBishop]

I have mixed emotions on this. On one side I COMPLETELY agree with you, that it is part of what makes us special. But another side of me thinks of those poor men who may want to but feel societal pressure is too much and can't know the joy. Sure there are those who would say "if you can't be man enough to wear one, you shouldn't." but I think it is every man's right to have the option to wear one. For me I don't give a lick what other people think, I thank people for kind comments and ignore negative ones, thankful that a$$holes are so easy to spot. But some areas of the country I can imagine it would be really tough, perhaps even dangerous. I guess the answer is for them to be univerally accepted without becoming a mainstream item.

[KiltedPilot]

I find a distinct difference in reactions between kilts and skirts, for various reasons.

A kilt is quite a dramatic garment, versus, say, a MH Hiking Kilt (which is really a hiking skirt). The kilt is larger, has a more dramatic swing, and tends to be in a more noticeable colour.

At first sight the Hiking Kilt/skirt can look like a pair of khaki shorts. When wearing the Hiking Kilt, I often get no reaction whatsoever. Not even a quiet second take.

This is a big plus point for (traditional styled/UK styled) kilts!

Mike

[Riverkilt]

I understand the point.

I do wish kilts would be come accepted enough that "the look" and the stupid comments went away.

Ron

[Iolaus]

"The Look" is part of the fun, you know you've affected them in some way, and the stupid comments just make them look ignorant to others around them - anyone that matters anyway - 'specially when you have a snappy comeback.

For me, wearing a kilt is a multi-faceted thing. Part of me is thumbing my nose at societal norms, and recieving those looks of shock feeds that aspect of it; part of me is getting an ego boost from all the compliments from women and the envious statements from men, and part of me likes the idea that I will be remembered and talked about later, maybe even years later. If I was just another guy in a kilt, most of the psychological rewards I recieve from wearing them would be gone. I may tell people it's for comfort, but if I told myself that, I'd be lying.

Anything unusual is going to get "the look" of some kind. I still have to fight the impulse when encountering the 12" multi-colored spiked mohawk styles, and they've been here around for at least 25 years. I just tell myself "remember, someone else thinks I'm over the top as well, so cut him some slack."

[Archangel]

When I wear my Armani suit, I noticed that I get respect and better service. When I wear my kilt, I get the whole castle. Everybody should get that.

[motorman4life]

Last night I wore my new UK Workman to Target and while checking out, the clerk remarked, "Wow, that is noce, I've only seen them on TV, I never saw anyone wearing on in person!" I thought that was really cool.

[Ugly Bear]

I want kilts popularized for a few reasons.

First, why be selfish? Everyone here agrees that kilts are comfortable & versatile. Why should just a few of us get to experience that?

Second, I don't want to have to justify what I'm wearing, or explain it, or even discuss it. I don't care if I get noticed, and I don't want to chat about it. I'm just not a people person.

Anyway, this discussion is moot. Kilts will be accepted as everyday garments for men starting around the year 2010/2012. There is no avoiding it.

[Bil]

Kilts will be accepted as everyday garments for men starting around the year 2010/2012. There is no avoiding it.

I wish I could be as confident as you are in saying that. Truth is, I doubt even another 5-7 years can bring enough change in the world as to allow it to even be considered "normal" in Scotland, let alone in the rest of the world. It may be "accepted" in Scotland but not even there is it close to being "normal".