21st Century Ankle-Length Kilts

[Hamish]

I am going to chime in on this one, and would suggest that unless you have actually seen or tried one of Howie's full-length kilts, you should not criticise them so vehemently.

Firstly, they are not new. Howie came up with the idea at least four years ago and made himself one in black imitation leather exclusively for wear when clubbing - not for day wear. He looked a million dollars in that kilt and even persuaded me to try it on to see how it felt. The feeling was amazing, but I believe that was down to the 'behaviour' of the material - the photos in the TFCK Catalogue and on their website show these kilts in other fabrics/materials which look, to me, as though they are not 'behaving' well. As I say, the sensation of wearing that first kilt was stunning but, when I saw my reflection in a full-length mirror I quickly realised that this style was suited only to slim young men, such as Howie, and not to ageing, full-bodied, middle-aged men, such as myself.

Howie does not, I am sure, see the full-length kilt as the way contemporary kilts are going, or should go - his aim is to show prospective clients what can be done with the kilt, especially with regard to fabrics and materials and, to some extent, with styling..... although, without doubt Howie's TFCK kilts are basically constructed along the lines of the traditional kilt, and are tailored by fully-qualified kiltmakers in Geoffrey (Tailor)'s workrooms. They are certainly far closer to the traditonal kilt than any other maker of contemporary kilts to my knowledge, has produced.

I would agree with most comments expressed here that the kilt should be a knee-length garment (on or fractionally above - but not below), however, for the purpose for which Howie designed his imitation leather kilt - for clubbing - it is probably admirable (moreso on the lithe body of a twenty-something!).

Although I can be as much a 'traditionalist' as the next man (in fact, I have just ordered two more 'tanks' [ugggh! Sorry it's that word!] and a fourth Argyll jacket), I also encourage and will do all I can to promote the development of the kilt. Our beloved kilt has been evolving for a couple of hundred years (some would say much longer), so who are we to put a stop to that evolvement? It MUST be allowed to move forward or the kilt will, without a doubt, stagnate and slip back to becoming just another National Costume to be dragged out if its mothballs for special occasions. I embrace all variations on the kilt - I may not like them all and some I would never wear - but I am overjoyed to know that 'different' kilts, perhaps for particular locations or events, are being created and made available to an increasingly eager and widening consumer base.

Come on, Lads. Live and let live. Let's not be "old fuddy-duddies"! I will be 70 in a couple of months and that, I hope, is a title that could never be given to me. In fact, to celebrate, I'm having another kilt tailored - in snakeskin!

[Josh_E]

I don't care what you call them that guy looked ugly in it.

[Rob Wright]

Well said Ham well said, and SNAKESKIN!O_O

I can't wait to see pics

Rob

[GlassMan]

Well said Ham well said, and SNAKESKIN!O_O

I can't wait to see pics

Rob

I just want to know what manner of beastie was it and what brave soul killed it if they can make an entire kilt out of a single snake skin!

Okay, enough kidding. I realize it won't be a single skin. But I had to say it.

[Pour1Malt]

ai saw a couple o these kilts oot wan nicht in London..

and as the Big Ham Man said- they look guid on a skinnymalinkie 20 year auld....

doon richt sexy, actually....

ai'd look like an auld fat guy in a skirt- in one o them....

they arr made like a kilt... an ankle length kilt (tae bae exact)

and they will be sold an worn undar the name 'kilt' tae...

[Angus MacSpey]

I don't care what you call them that guy looked ugly in it.

Dude, I think that guy would look ugly in anything. Same goes for a whole bunch of Howie's models, male and female. Is ugly "in" these days?


I have to concur with Hamish on this one. That would look good on some people, but not on others. Connery - no. Beckham - yup. Me? Would go for it out clubbing, except I'm not really into clubbing.

But then, lots of stuff that young people wear look ludicrous on old people. Like those really huge baggy pants with tons of zippers and straps. Come to think of it though, they look silly on anyone. I think I had a point here, but forgot it.


(That reminds me of a completely unrelated topic. There is a noticeable difference between British and American TV shows, at least based on my personal observation. The British shows I've seen have normal looking people in them. Ours have the "beautiful people" in every possible role.)

[Jerry]

Quote Ham:


Come on, Lads. Live and let live. Let's not be "old fuddy-duddies"! I will be 70 in a couple of months and that, I hope, is a title that could never be given to me. In fact, to celebrate, I'm having another kilt tailored - in snakeskin!


Ham, I wouldn't like that title either, but I am a charter member of "The Old Farts Club" It was the name given to the 5 oldest guys in the shop where I worked before retirement. I even have a membership card. I was only 58 at the time, but other than the 5 of us "old Farts," the rest of the instrument shop crew were all 40ish or younger..

[Iolaus]

Quote Ham:


Come on, Lads. Live and let live. Let's not be "old fuddy-duddies"! I will be 70 in a couple of months and that, I hope, is a title that could never be given to me. In fact, to celebrate, I'm having another kilt tailored - in snakeskin!

The simply fact that we wear kilts automatically eliminates that possibility; "old fuddy-duddies" do not do anything out of the norm.

[bubba]

The simply fact that we wear kilts automatically eliminates that possibility; "old fuddy-duddies" do not do anything out of the norm.

This, however, does not eliminate the possibility of being curmudgeons.

[mddock58]

Personally I do not like them, but I really have no problem with them. I think also that they would be more confused with "Women's" Skirts because of the length, but if you want to wear it, WEAR IT PROUD!