How many guys are really wearing kilts?

[arrogcow]

Well the answer is not many, but growing.

For instance, I'm in Cincinnati. In the 5 years that I have been regularly kilted, I have only once run into someone randomly on the street that was also in a kilt. Now I know I'm not the only kilt guy in town. Rex and Filman are both members here (the only two I know of in Cincy, buy I suspect that there are a few more), and Rex at least wears a kilt most of the time he's not at work. I know another guy, Mark, who is kilted most of the time as well (we've been mistaken for each other). Additionally, the (Owner?) and the door guy at Nicholson's Scottish Pub are always kilted (but they have an excuse) and several of the bartenders at"The Pub" in Erlanger wear kilts at least while at work.

Now I have worked the UK booth at the Cincy Celtic fest for two years, and so know for a fact that there are at least 100+ UK owners alone in the area. I have also been to many Caledonian society functions and know that there are at least another 200 traditional kilt wearers (and this doesn't include highland dancers, pipe bands etc.). I have also handed out, I don't know how many, cards to guys who seemed interested in kilts.

But at non Scottish formal events, I have attended, it is usually me and Mr. Andrew Jergens (Jergen's Lotion family) in kilts. The exception was at a Zoo gala two years ago where there were three other guys in kilts.

So why with hundreds of various kilts, don't I see more?

First is cost. Most people started wearing a kilt as a heritage thing, and when you spend $500 for a kilt, it usually doesn't become everyday wear. I think a lot of these guys would like to wear kilts more often, but it has never occurred to them to look for cheaper alternatives since cheaper kilts are a relatively new thing.

Second is convienience. I don't wear any of my tartans nearly as often as a UK because it is a pain, dealing with a sporran (or lack of pocket space) on a regular basis.

Third (and probably biggest) is fear. Sure these guys have a kilt of some kind, but they probably bought it for Celtic Festivals and the Ren fair, maybe if they are feeling particularly brave, a concert. Frankly, societies (all societies) are made up of mostly sheep. People want to be accepted by the flock. Sure there are those that defy the standards of society, but most just conform to a smaller flock (think goths, punks etc.) Guys are afraid that if they wear a kilt out of context, they will be labeled as something (In most straight guys place - at least- it is probably the fear that they will be thought of as gay/cross dresser, though there is also the fear, at work at least, of being a troublemaker if you don't conform). Add to that the fear of family or significant other who condem kilt wearing because of their own feelings, and you have a big obstacle to over come. The fact that these fears are mostly unfounded My personal experiences are that except for a few drive by shoutings, no one much cares or likes the kilt. Certainly I have never been assulted, or thrown out of a business.

Have faith, the legions of kilt wearers are out there, and our number are growning, but statistically it will take a while before you regularly see kilts. If I can find it, I will post something I wrote on the UK Yahoo group about that.

Adam

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

As has been said, I think it all boils down to statistics. While there are well over 1500(?) members here, that is not even a drop in the bucket compared to the number of psople on the planet. Even if we were all in the same geographical location, the chances of seeing another kilted person in a regular setting is miniscule. Heck, we sometimes can't even hook up with each other at some of the Games and events!

I believe that kilt wearing is on the rise, but it is going to be slow, and I believe that it is company's that provide a contemporary and functional kilt, like UK, FK, AK, and RK that are going to fuel it most. That is not a slight on USAK, I love their kilts and will be ordering more in the future, but they are focused on the tartan market and I think that the average Joe Public is not going to want a tartan for everyday use.

Just MO, YMMV and you may disagree.

[Randy]

Once I saw someone kilted that wasn't in a mirror, aside from celtic/Scottish events. I'm SWK nightstalker kilted today.

[Raphael]

At least for me, Kilt wearing was a novel idea at first. I didn't think I will be owning more than one, let alone wearing one to work. It had been 3 years since I bought my first UK and I wearing a Bear Kilt at work right now.

In Vancouver, things are very different. Vancouver has a big population of proud Scots. I often see guys wearing their UKs ot tartan kilts around. It is a fairly common sight. I know at least 2 guys who wear kilts regularly. The number is growing here.

[Colin]

At least for me, Kilt wearing was a novel idea at first. I didn't think I will be owning more than one, let alone wearing one to work. It had been 3 years since I bought my first UK and I wearing a Bear Kilt at work right now.

In Vancouver, things are very different. Vancouver has a big population of proud Scots. I often see guys wearing their UKs ot tartan kilts around. It is a fairly common sight. I know at least 2 guys who wear kilts regularly. The number is growing here.

I see people in kilts in and around Vancouver fairly regularly. I have seen them at the aquarium, the zoo, festivals, charity events, community events, Canada Day celebrations, walking down the street, etc. These have ranged from traditional kilts to Utilikilts.

I don't wear kilts full time, but I wear them when I feel like it. In my little corner of the lower minland, I know of one full time kilt wearer, whom I have seen on a number of occasions, but not spoken to yet.

The kilt makers can't keep up because Ron is making a run at catching Hamish's collection. The guy orders 4 at a time for pete's sake!!!

[KiltedKnight]

I must say that Scott Gilmore and Davedove say just about all that I have to say, I've said before in other posts that I don't and will never wear the kilt EVERY day. To do so really deminishes the uniqueness of the garment.

I don't want to be known as 'that guy who always wears a kilt'. I want to be asked by a pretty hostess or barmaid or waitress when I'll wear the kilt again.

I'll be taking my wife out to dinner tomorrow night and I will be dressed to the kilt, right down to the flyplaid, it's my wife's birthday and she'll be wearing a wreath of flowers in her hair which is not something she does everyday either. The kilt and flowers in the hair are for those special occasions where something extra is needed as a catalist for the day to make it as memorable as possible, something that is worn everyday cannot make for as memorable an evening.

Chris.

[GTRMAN]

I must say that Scott Gilmore and Davedove say just about all that I have to say, I've said before in other posts that I don't and will never wear the kilt EVERY day. To do so really deminishes the uniqueness of the garment.

I don't understand the logic in the above statement.. Please explain..

[KiltedKnight]

I don't understand the logic in the above statement.. Please explain..

What I meant it to mean is just this; wearing the kilt every day would be like wearing a tux everyday, what do you wear when you really want to dress up and FEEL dressed? I'll wear the kilt only for special occasions, for unique occasions-...limited in occurances to a given class, situation or area...(WEBSTERS).

Chris.

[Robin]

I think I'm the only full time kiltwearer in the Netherlands....that's 1:16.000.000...makes me feel a bit lonely, but also very special

[pdcorlis]

Not a full time kilt wearer but getting closer every day. When college is in session, I teach kilted every day of the week. Out and about in town - I'm more likely kilted than not. Around the house... well it depends on what kind of a mess I'm making and chores I'm doing. Oh yeah - one more thing... I stopped caring what everyone else was doing years ago. :rolleyes: