Full Time?

[MacMullen]

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?

No I don't, and no I do not have that as a goal.

2. Why?

Because I love my suits and my blue jeans too much to not wear them. I see the kilt as one more item in my wardrobe, an alternative to shorts or pants, or, simply another choice when I'm getting dressed in the morning, as well as the appropriate thing to wear to some events.

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?

Yes.

4. Why?

Full time kilt wearing is important if the kilt is to become a mainstream fashion choice. It needs to be seen to the point where people see a kilt and don't ask, "Are you Scottish?"

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?

Possibly, if a lot of men wear them, other men will follow suit. If not, then no. I don't think that most men are secure enough about their identity to wear something that is so radically different from what other men are wearing.

Having said that, since I have now been wearing the kilt, a few of my friends are now interested in getting their own kilts for attending the Highland games or just to celebrate their Scottish ancestry.

[bikercelt1]

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?
I wear whatever I want whenever I can. Right now that means I wear a kilt. No goal, just the way I am.

2. Why?
Why am I the way I am? Don't know. Why do I wear kilts as much as possible? Because I like it. Kilts are comfortable, look good, and give me distinction in a bland mediocre world.

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?
I believe in leadership by example. If someone thinks I'm promoting kilts by wearing them that's okay by me. Other than that I'm not interested in promoting kilts. If a guy has an interest in kilts I'm all in favor of helping him find information about it. I don't want to be bothered trying to convince an uninterested person that they should wear any piece of clothing that doesn't appeal to them.

4. why?
Live and let live. The last thing I want is for some doofus to grab a kilt just 'cause "everybody is doing it". Kilt wearing is significant to me. I don't want to see it become the "norm" of people with no imagination who just want to dress like everybody else.

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fasion choice for men?
I hope not. I'd like to see kilts more accepted, and with increased popularity I think we are already seeing that. I don't think we'll ever see them be mainstream. In fact I think it would be counter-productive. A kilt is about individuality and identity, mainstream fasion is about uniformity and "corporate identity". Yes, Tartans indentify a person with a clan, but mainstream fasions blurr individuality and identify the person as part of a class. Aside from that philosophical position, I think that there are just way to many men that absolutely do not want to wear a kilt. Some of them might be bullied into it if the "fasionistas" dictate it, but their heart will never be in it.

Jamie

[Blu (Ontario)]

There are several reasons why I believe kilts will never become mainstream.

1. They have deep roots as ethnic attire. Most people have a general understanding that there is a strict entitlement associated with it.

2. With a few exceptions, kilts beyond the scope of ethnic costume are generally treated with disdain by the media or they are regarded as a novelty.

3. Thay are expensive when compared to trousers.

4. There is no incentive for retailers to make them generally available off the peg.

5. There is the fear that kilts beyond the scope of ethnic costume are seen as female attire.

6. There is the fear of being laballed idiosyncratic (along with those who immerse themselves in Star Trek attire or dress as anime characters - called "cosplay".)

7. Beyond the internet, there is nothing on the horizon with enough influence to change the above in a significant way.

Of course, none of this will matter to those who wear a kilt for special occasions only. Neither will it matter to those chose to disregard the above.

[GlassMan]

6. There is the fear of being laballed idiosyncratic (along with those who immerse themselves in Star Trek attire or dress as anime characters - called "cosplay".)

What's wrong with being labeled idiosyncratic or eccentric? I'm proudly eccentric. What's really funny is that because I make no bones about being "different" and pretty much do or say as I please (even if it is totally off the wall) people tend to think that I must have a lot of money. I guess only rich people are allowed to bring a little surreality into every day life.

So the next time a telemarketer calls you, pretend like you're making a dirty phone call!

[Blu (Ontario)]

What's wrong with being labeled idiosyncratic or eccentric?...

Nothing - But your average Joe Lunchbucket fears it.

[GlassMan]

Bwa haa haa haa!

Fear me!

[Ugly Bear]

There are several reasons why I believe kilts will never become mainstream.

1. They have deep roots as ethnic attire. Most people have a general understanding that there is a strict entitlement associated with it.

2. With a few exceptions, kilts beyond the scope of ethnic costume are generally treated with disdain by the media or they are regarded as a novelty.

But the definition of what a kilt is is changing. Thanks to Utilikilts and their contemporaries, there are now kilts of completely non-ethnic identity.

3. Thay are expensive when compared to trousers.

4. There is no incentive for retailers to make them generally available off the peg.

At the moment, a retailer would not sell them, sure. But the market is growing (slowly). A tipping point will be reached when enough men realize that they are ready for a change, that they are not comfortable locked in trousers, and that all that's keeping them in trousers is sartorial dogma. I believe everyone on this board made such a decision at one point, and I believe that all men are capable of reaching the same conclusion we have. We will eventually have enough numbers that even the insecure guy can make the change. That tipping point is coming in 5-7 years.

When the tipping point comes, contemporary kilts will become market-safe, and prices will come down (this has been discussed extensively in another thread). The traditional kilts will also see an increased demand, but not as dramatic as the new market.

5. There is the fear that kilts beyond the scope of ethnic costume are seen as female attire.

6. There is the fear of being laballed idiosyncratic (along with those who immerse themselves in Star Trek attire or dress as anime characters - called "cosplay".)

7. Beyond the internet, there is nothing on the horizon with enough influence to change the above in a significant way.

There have been lots of things men have been afraid of over the years: longer hair in the '60s, shorter hair in the '80s, bike shorts, hair dryers, you name it. Each of these taboos fell when enough men adopted them. So it shall be with kilts.

In three years, I've never had anyone think I was wearing girlie clothes, or playing dress-up. Never. The only comments I've gotten regard the gutsiness in wearing a kilt, contemporary or traditional.

Nothing beyond the internet to change the above? Would Utilikilts be a success if they confined their sales to Seattle and their road shows? Would any of the new kiltmakers following their footsteps survive without the internet? Do traditional kiltmakers without a website ignore and squander a small but growing market, to their own detriment? The internet is plenty, even if it's the ONLY driving force.

Besides, what "drove" previous changes in accepted norms? Nothing, to my knowledge, "made" blue jeans acceptable as everyday wear.

The tipping point is coming. It'll take a little while, but it's on its way. Everyone who gets upset at these johnny-come-latelies in their new kilts stealing the old-timers' individuality, I say go out and find the next New Big Thing. You'll find it, I trust you.