Poking fun at men in kilts.

[Kilted KT]

very well written statement. Eloquent and well organized. nicely done.

I see both sides of this conversation having merit. Having scottish heritage, I prefer to wear a kilt properly, and in good taste. I also believe that everyone has a right to wear what they want when they want ( including see-through vinyl with nothing underneath, although I'd prefer only the ladies). While you see a great variety of opinions and comments about people and the kilts they wear, you do not see people making blatantly hateful or disgusted remarks about the people in these pics. Poking fun about a kilt that is a far too long for a traditional tank, or on 'front to back' is little more than that, poking fun. We do it to each other all the time ( you should see the clock in some of the pics I've posted...Pour1Malt will never let me live that one down!) and it is fine. Friends poke fun at each other all the time, because is is humorous and entertaining. I've got a feeling there are very few people here who have been truly offended at comments made about their kilted pics.

for me, the kilt is about my herritage and a desire to stand out in a crowd and be remembered ( MacTavish motto >> Non Oblitus). I enjoy both the comfort and the attention a kilt provides. My kilt even helps me stand out in the business world, as there are few kilted business consultants.
Above all else, I wear a kilt because I want to. If the other kilties want to poke some fun, by all means have at it. If I'm wearing something incorrectly, I would rather know about it in a joke than not at all.

on a serious note, you can wear whatever you want. Be a conformist or not, totally up to you. Just enjoy the kilt you are wearing, and let us know when you have questions.

[Caradoc]

A few years back, I was on my way home from a school demo that I'd done in an ionar and breacan feile (great kilt). The convenience store nearest my house at the time was used to seeing me come in "dressed funny," so I wasn't concerned about it in the slightest.

At some point in the previous week, I'd twisted my ankle, so I was using small-headed axe (a Dalcassian axe, if anyone's interested) as a cane.

I walked toward the coolers at the back of the store to get my regular Diet Mt. Dew, and realized that I had an audience - four teenagers making very obvious preparations for a "beer run."

The clerk gave me a nod as I passed him, and then we both heard one of the kids:

"Hey! What's with the dude in the dress?"

(hissed reply)

"Shut up, man. Din't you see 'Braveheart?' They KILL people for that! And he has an axe!"

I wasn't sure who was going to laugh first - me, or the clerk.

[Kilted KT]

A few years back, I was on my way home from a school demo that I'd done in an ionar and breacan feile (great kilt). The convenience store nearest my house at the time was used to seeing me come in "dressed funny," so I wasn't concerned about it in the slightest.

At some point in the previous week, I'd twisted my ankle, so I was using small-headed axe (a Dalcassian axe, if anyone's interested) as a cane.

I walked toward the coolers at the back of the store to get my regular Diet Mt. Dew, and realized that I had an audience - four teenagers making very obvious preparations for a "beer run."

The clerk gave me a nod as I passed him, and then we both heard one of the kids:

"Hey! What's with the dude in the dress?"

(hissed reply)

"Shut up, man. Din't you see 'Braveheart?' They KILL people for that! And he has an axe!"

I wasn't sure who was going to laugh first - me, or the clerk.

I just laughed so hard some guy in the next cube poked his head in to see what was going on!

that is hilarious!....wonder where I can get an axe like that for a cane?

[Caradoc]

I just laughed so hard some guy in the next cube poked his head in to see what was going on!

that is hilarious!....wonder where I can get an axe like that for a cane?

I got mine from a guy in California - his booth sign said "The Brass Axe and the Rose."

My Lochaber axe came from the same vendor. I've been looking for him again for several years, but the last report that I had said his shop had burned down and he'd been forced to find other work than custom weapons and tools in order to rebuild.

You can always just find an axehead that you like and put a haft on it that's long enough to make it a cane. I've also put a rubber crutch tip over the steel-shod end of mine so I don't mark up the floors with it. The rubber tip comes off easily enough if I'm going hiking with it.

[Kilted KT]

I got mine from a guy in California - his booth sign said "The Brass Axe and the Rose."

My Lochaber axe came from the same vendor. I've been looking for him again for several years, but the last report that I had said his shop had burned down and he'd been forced to find other work than custom weapons and tools in order to rebuild.

You can always just find an axehead that you like and put a haft on it that's long enough to make it a cane. I've also put a rubber crutch tip over the steel-shod end of mine so I don't mark up the floors with it. The rubber tip comes off easily enough if I'm going hiking with it.

Sounds like a good idea...time to find more stuff to jam into my kilt belt!

[Southern Breeze]

A few years back, I was on my way home from a school demo that I'd done in an ionar and breacan feile (great kilt). The convenience store nearest my house at the time was used to seeing me come in "dressed funny," so I wasn't concerned about it in the slightest.

At some point in the previous week, I'd twisted my ankle, so I was using small-headed axe (a Dalcassian axe, if anyone's interested) as a cane.

I walked toward the coolers at the back of the store to get my regular Diet Mt. Dew, and realized that I had an audience - four teenagers making very obvious preparations for a "beer run."

The clerk gave me a nod as I passed him, and then we both heard one of the kids:

"Hey! What's with the dude in the dress?"

(hissed reply)

"Shut up, man. Din't you see 'Braveheart?' They KILL people for that! And he has an axe!"

I wasn't sure who was going to laugh first - me, or the clerk.

Now that's a good one!

[Blu (Ontario)]

I've seen in several threads - people mentioning things
men do to look silly in a kilt. I find it particularly amusing that folks here can be so defensive about wearing a kilt... etc. etc. its funny that people who are supposed to be showing their security by wearing a kilt, are acturally showing their insecurity by poking fun at how some else wears a kilt differently.[/

I've got an idea.......

Let have a new Xmarks Pollyanna rule.

That from now on, nobody be allowed to post anything that might make light of, or be construed as a negative opinion of, anything related to kilts or those who choose to wear them... that this board be dedicated purely to self and peer congratulatory messages.

Any seconds.... ? :rolleyes:

[Ruanaidh]

It seems like both non-conformists AND traditionalists can take themselves far too seriously.

Amen.

[KiltedKnight]

One of the things I'm finding about wearing the kilt is that it can be dressed up or down, depending on the situation. Personally, I like the traditional, more formal look. When I wear the Argyll jacket with or without the waistcoat and a tie, I find I stand straighter and feel more self-assured. Perhaps this comes from being in and around the military uniform for many years. I like to hear the beat of the tassles on the sporran like a drum when I walk. It starts a bagpipe march in my head and my feet fall into time with the music.

I can also fully understand some may want to be more contemporary or casual. And in some situations, that is appropriate too. I wouldn't feel right wearing full dress to a backyard barbeque and I would think it odd (but would not comment on it) if someone wore a denim kilt to a wedding party where most everyone else wore semi-formal. To some extent it is a matter of being respectful of others. The custom is one shouldn't outshine the Bride or Groom, because it is their special day, not ours.

Having said that for formality and tradition, I think that diversity brings spice to life. I like seeing ideas that others have come up with on how to wear the kilt and accessorize it. I think this can be done respectfully while still allowing for individuality.

If this sounds like "situational ethics" or "anything goes" I guess that is what I mean, with the caveat that if I grant you your right to wear what you want, grant me the right to wear what I want, with mutual respect and courtesy.

IMHO the biblical Golden Rule is a good daily operating philosophy, unless one is a sadist.

I want to thank all the members of X marks the spot for their helpful commentary, advice and humor. I'm still learning and enjoying wearing the kilt.
Let's keep it clean, fun, and civil.

I fully understand what you're saying and that is why I will not kilt up everyday, I like that feeling of something special like when I would find or invent a reason to wear the dress blue or the dress white uniform when I was still active Army. The kilt is best left for those times that I want to feel like something special is going on.

Chris.

[Iolaus]

The premise that this forum was founded on was a shared enjoyment of kilts. "Kilts are not costumes" was the catch prase and slogan of a kiltmaker that has not been on the board for awhile.

Correction noted. Since I found it in XMarks propoganda, and it had the web-site on it, I still think it's a valid message that represents the mission here.