Defending the Kilt

[kilted in kleaveland]

My wife and I went to our friends wedding this evening and I went kilted
(Irish National). It was not a kilted wedding even though the bride is Irish. Had good comments from many, including a Kennedy who was stationed in Scotland during WWII. Anyway, a woman came and told my wife Kim that several people had asked at the table she was seated at, what was that guy
( me ) wearing. The woman told my wife how she explained that it was a kilt and that it represented respect for my heritage and it was a type of formal wear like a tux. I've defended the kilt myself on several occasions but other than my wife or close friends I've never had someone else stand up for the kilted. I wish there was some award for those people who do.
A big thanks to Allen H. for the jacket conversion ideas. Wish I could post pics. but lack a camera. Hopefully will get some shots to share next week when I attend a traditonal Scottish wedding ( kilted of course ).
So, have you ever had someone else stand up for the kilt?

[Kizmet]

We were at a family reunion last weekend with a significant number of people who said, "Why's D'Argo wearing a skirt?"

My husband, who isn't willing to wear a kilt himself and has been rather grudging in his approval of our son's attire, has taken to responding in a brogue worthy of James Doohan "It's a kilt, man!"

Ok, not much of a true defense, but we love it

[David Dalglish]

It does not matter what others people think, but it is nice to be defended by others. The next time they see a kilt, it will be them that will be saying "no its a kilt"

[BLAZN]

My wife defends my kilt wearing all the time. And I know many a member of the International Wenches Guild that would defend men in kilts tooth and nail.

[smaughazard]

Not sure why, but I've never had to open my mouth in a group setting when someone says something derogatory about a "skirt". Inevitably a defender (usually a woman) speaks up to say that "It's a kilt!", and usually the same person finishes with a compliment on the kilt/accessories/etc. In one-on-one encounters, I almost never get the skirt comments. Maybe being 6'3" 250# has something to do with that…

[Riverkilt]

Ain't it fun to stretch other people's minds?

Camera solution for you. Buy a disposable camera. Have the pics developed to a disc. Post from the disc to wherever, then from there to the board. Don't think we can post direct again yet...?

Ron

[sirdaniel1975]

A similar situation happened to me in college. I had started a trend known as 'Scottish Wednesday' at Florida Southern College. I wore a kilt on every Wednesday as well as my Scottish American friends. It was great, but one late afternoon an Alumni (who had seen me in Scottish Garb before) asks, "Dan, what the hell are you wearing?" Well, I'm 3rd generation and I have that good old Highland temper. I made it very clear it was a 'KILT' and not a skirt. I was either wearing Gunn Modern or a MacLeod of Harris Modern Kilt, I don't remember which. Needless to say that Alumni has never spoken to me again. This occurred circa Spring 2003...

During this time of 'Scottish Wednesday' I usually received praise. Especially from 'Artist in Residence' Robert MacDonald (piano).

[Panache]

I have gone to assist in my son's (the mighty Sinbad's) afternoon kindergarten class several months (on and off kilted) . One day I showed up a little earlier than normal. All the the 1st through 5th grade students were lined up in fron of their classrooms ready to enter after their lunch break. I, having signed in as a volunteer at the main office, had to walk in front of multiple lines of grade school students to get to my son's class. There were a few chuckles, but I overheard something many times as I walked past these young people. Something said to one young person from another:

"It's a kilt you idiot!"

I appear to have enlightened the majority of one San Jose grammer school, woe to they who know not the kilt.

Cheers

[pbpersson]

In one-on-one encounters, I almost never get the skirt comments. Maybe being 6'3" 250# has something to do with that…

Yeah, I'm big and scary-looking as well. I probably have nothing to fear at all when it comes to wearing my kilt in public....

Of course, I don't think I'm scary-looking but I've gotten that reaction from people, they think I'm threatening somehow.

[GTRMAN]

I've had a number of acquaintances defend my kilt-wearing. I really appreciate it. Most people are just curious about "why" rather than actually disapproving, though.

Just the other week my grandmother called me up to say "hello". She then proceeced to tell me that she doesn't like the kilts and that I should only wear them onstage. She believes that I'm wearing them out of some kind of mis-placed Peter Pan syndrome( Supposedly I don't want to "grow up"). Even though I'm 33 years old.... Ugh..