At what point doe's a Kilt ....

[cavscout]

With so many new members I thought it might be fun to revisit this thread since several other threads are touching on this issue.

I've recently been thinking that the definition of a kilt has to address the spirit of the kilt as a masculine garment. MM4L's definition is good. Perhaps it could incorporate the wearers intent to be percieved as masculine.

A woman, wanting to be viewed as a woman, wearing a "kilted skirt" would, to the uneducated, would be perceived as feminine simply because she's wearing a skirt.

A woman, wanting to be viewed as a man, wearing a "kilted skirt" would, to the uneducated, would be perceived as feminine simply because she's wearing a skirt.

A man, wanting to be viewed as a man, wearing a "kilt" would, to the uneducated, would be perceived as feminine simply because he's wearing a "skirt".

A man, wanting to be viewed as a woman, wearing a "kilted skirt" would, to the uneducated, would be perceived as feminine simply because he's wearing a skirt.

Since the uneducated society is going to think of a Kilt and a Kilted Skirt in the same way regardless, should the wearers intent be factored in to whether it is a kilt (Masculine) or a kilted skirt (Feminine)? The guidelines mentionied in earlier posts would still apply, but because anyone can really wear anything they want, the wearers intent has to come into play.

I know my logic on this is rough and maybe circular but it's only intended as food for thought and discussion.

[Ruanaidh]

I know my logic on this is rough and maybe circular but it's only intended as food for thought and discussion.

You sure you're just not trying to confuse me???

[GTRMAN]

After we had a rehearsal with the band yesterday evening I was talking to the other guitarist, who at some time in the future is going to get a traditional kilt in his family tartan and join me on stage kilted. His wife fully supports him, its simple the cost and they have their children to consider first. However he mentioned over a cold beer yesterday that he doe's check on E Bay regularily for Kilts but the chance of his family tartan and size coming up is nigh on zero. He is also aware there is now quite a diversity of kilts available at really good value prices but obviously not in his tartan. He also asked me out of interest .. At what point does a Kilt cease to be a Kilt. I didn't know how to explain it just like that so I said I would ponder on it and let him know. I'm still trying to put it together other than the obvious things .. ie fasten to the left etc etc. Any help in explaining gratefully received.
Derek

A kilt is defined as a man's wrap-around and pleated skirt that is typically made of a tartan material..

[Mike1]

Just so everyone is on the same page - the instant this thread turns into another 'my kilt's better than your kilt' thread, like the one that Colin locked earlier today, it's going to go the same route.

With that in mind, carry on.

[David Dalglish]

A kilt is a kilt is a kilt. There is nothing more to it

[Panache]

A kilt is defined as a man's wrap-around and pleated skirt that is typically made of a tartan material..

(Panache in Sports Announcer voice)

"...and GTRMAN takes the ball from midcourt... he's heading straight up the middle...he's at the freethrow line...he's going for a layup...GTRMAN shoots...and...he...SCORES! The crowd goes wild!"


Sometimes short and sweet does the job best!

Cheers

[pbpersson]

Can you go by whether or not it is tartan? No, because even though most kilts are of a tartan material, solid color kilts have been worn as long as kilts have existed. Though they never have been as popular, we have portraits of people in solid kilts from as early as 1635!

Oh my gosh! I had no idea!!

[Rex_Tremende]

With so many new members I thought it might be fun to revisit this thread since several other threads are touching on this issue.

I'm glad you did, else I would have missed some of the eloquent responses to this perennial question. Others do look vaguely familiar, however...

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

[Kid Cossack]

Nah, just kidding.

If I wear it, it's a kilt.* If my wife wears it, it's a skirt. (I'm not talking about the same item of clothing, mind you!)


* exception that proves the rule: if I'm wearing my red Hawaiian floral print from SportKilt, it's pyjamas.

I think that Matt and Hamish pretty much nailed it.

[Graham]

As jimmy said, it's in the mind.
I once thought a kilt had to be tartan, I obviously don't believe that and now own six non-tartans.
I changed, I was wrong.

If the garment didn't have pleats or fold to the right I would question it, although not question it being a male garment.
There are traditional garments worn by islanders to our north that are non pleated, non tartan and very male!.