Flag Kilts

[Livingston]

Apparently when a character in the 60's movie "Easy Rider" wore a US Flag on the back of his jacket it was considered disrespectful, now days that would be considered patriotic. So this is an issue that goes beyond just kilts.

To me it isn't so much should a flag be worn or not on a kilt (or any other type of clothing for that matter) but HOW it is worn. Is the flag presented in a positve manner? Is it clean? Is it tasteful? Is the wearer wearing it with pride?

I think if one is to wear a representation of a flag as part of one's attire the answer to the above questions must be YES!

Cheers

For me, a country flag on the back/front of a shirt or jacket would be considered patriotic/supportive of that country. The wearing of a representation of a flag under the waist would not. Just my feeling on it and my wife says I can be stubborn at times

[Panache]

There is a recent fashion I have observed where young ladies wear tight fitting low cut sweat pants with their school name or team sport across the seat of the pants. Apparently this is to show school spirit and to draw the gaze to these girl's posteriors. On a mature level I really don't think it is a good fashion statement and is not really appropriate at all, on another level...


Where was I? Oh yeah...

I think that the Saltire kilt Hamish was modelling on this thread
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18768
was in good taste (as if Hamish could wear something untastefully). The idea of the woven threads that when pleated just right create the Saltire is amazing to me. With the care taken to create this garment it obviously is being worn to celebrate Scotland. This isn't a flag, it is a kilt that has a flag representation on it. Like the Union Kilts Saltire model http://unionkilts.com/product_info.p...02ed16aae88c30 . If one was to wrap a flag around one's backside and sit on it that would be disrespectful. But a flag inspired kilt is a different beast. I think that makes a big difference.

Cheers

[Riverkilt]

Hey, another flag junkie!

I've worn iron on flag patches on my Utilikilt workmans and Survival II pockets.

Irish flag on the caramel workmans...sort of a saffron. Have also worn Scottish flag patch and Arizona flag patches on my solid color kilt pockets.

Sort of a compromise...gets the flag on there, but with sort of a uniform look.

My only "flag" kilt is the Arizona flag tricolor kilt, but it only has the colors of the Arizona State flag rather than a representation of the flag itself.

Here's our State flag.



Here's the tri color kilt Jeff of Pittsburgh Kilts sewed up for me.




So, though Jeff isn't sewing up tricolor kilts anymore...there was another way of doing "flag" kilts.

We did add a small Arizona State flag patch to the rear pocket flap, and a shoulder patch size Arizona State flag to the kilt pin area of the apron, just to help clarify this was an Arizona State flag kilt rather than an announcement that the circus was in town.

Ron

[A Hay]

I've been living in Germany and working on an American military base most of the last 21 years. The American Flag is a big deal among the soldiers. I see a lot of representations on shirts, jackets, hats, etc. It's one of the symbols that draws the men and women together. However, I don't think I would dare to wear it across the posterior of pants, shorts, nor kilts. Not on post!

Nor would I personally want to.

Living off base, in a German town, I'm respectful also of my Host Nation. I could not imagine wearing a representation of a German Flag and sitting on it, either.

So the Saltire Kilt, while technically interesting, doesn't appeal to me at all.
In the spirit of this forum, however, I would not object if others wanted to wear it.
Tom

[AllenJ]

I think that for me the idea is WHY is it being worn? For people who buy kilts that have flag representations on them, its usually because they share a loyalty or an affinity for that country/state/region/district...etc. When done in praise like that I really dont have a problem. If the kilt was made out of bits of flags themselves, that might be called into question. There are lots of bits of clothing that represent flags. I saw a pair of those really tall Doc Martens the other day that were done up like a Union Jack. Is that disrespectful because you are "walking" on them? What about shirts and jackets as have been mentioned. What about bumper stickers and earrings and countless accesories. Where does patriotism end and disrespect begin? I feel in the intent. If it were cheaper I'd be tempted to pick up one of the Saltaire kilts.

[morrison]

Apparently when a character in the 60's movie "Easy Rider" wore a US Flag on the back of his jacket it was considered disrespectful, now days that would be considered patriotic. ...

I'm not certain about exactly what Mr. Fonda had intended when he donned the stars and stripes in the movie. What I think I remember is its symbolism of an everyday rebel biker whom happens to also be a free man. Free to go about as he will and express himself with impunity, including wearing what at the time was a statement of "in your face" Americanism. I recall he was familiarly referred to as Cap't America. Don't forget, their journey was financed by a cocaine deal.

About flag wearing being patriotic nowadays...? My intention the inclusion of each of these symbols is as an example of design rather than allegiance. Whether it is the Union Jack, Stars & Stripes, Swastica, Rising Sun, Hammer & Sickle, Maltese Cross, Fleur-de-lis or spinning glitter I believe that one should be free in the display of the national motif and not display the actual form of the flag in a disrespectful manner. Also, I ought to be tolerant of ones design until I'm absolutely certain of that ones intent, and still not overreact, but respond thoughtfully and without inflammation. I think flag design wearing is more of a self-centric nationalistic portrayal or gesturing. Not quite the same as nationalistic patriotism imbued in immutable loyalty and reverence to the blood of soldiers, brothers, sisters, friends, children, mothers and fathers, though near enough to be interchangeable.

I see flag designer wearing as one taking a lazy advantage with a national symbol of unity, sovereignty. That is not wrong. It is indeed quite right, althought with the political cheap shots available to the designer, it becomes questionable and goes to the fringes of "the left and right," and is shunned by mainstream designers and marketers. (But not by me!) The choosing of colors isn't difficult. The thoughtful arranging of those colors can elicit a plethora of responses in a spectrum of emotions from those affected. I wear a small pin of my flag on my hat in my zeal to show anyone who looks that that is my country.

Tartans in the flag motif are a breed of their own. I keep in mind the fact that tartan has distinguishing markings. It was made possible by the careful alignment of colors and was used for identifying family, friend or foe.

By the way, the guy who shot Wyatt and Billy was going on about the hair length on his victims.
WOW! This is a rather expansive topic. Hope it stays level, hot and in fair territory.

[Raphael]

It is a novel idea, but I rather wear my BC Tartan kilt than have a kilt made out of the Provincial flag.

[Riverkilt]

Morrison,

You reminded me that I bought one of those Russian leather belts that Utilikilts used to sell....leather, with the hammer and sickle on the buckle.

As an olde 60s cold warrior it was a symbol of victory...we won. Certainly not an endorsement of things Communist....though my immegrant ancestors aboard the Mayflower were quite Communist back then.

Point is, you can't really tell why a person is wearing a flag or nationalistic garment unless you ask them...

Ron

[pbpersson]

We did add a small Arizona State flag patch to the rear pocket flap, and a shoulder patch size Arizona State flag to the kilt pin area of the apron, just to help clarify this was an Arizona State flag kilt rather than an announcement that the circus was in town.

Ron

Since I will probably be spending the rest of my life in the AZ desert I had thought about that kilt but I thought it looked too colorful for me.

That is I think part of my disdain for "flag" kilts also. The colors are just too bright and vivid. I like to blend in and not be noticed.....as though that was possible when wearing a kilt.

[Riverkilt]

Bright it is...only wore in in parades, to highland games, and hiking a few times before I "outgrew" it.

Ron