Kilt Do's and Don'ts

[Erisianmonkey]

I saw some terrible kilts at theichmond games this past weekend, but I didn't take any pics. I think the worst of all was a guy wearing a contemporary kilt. First of all, the guy was about 5'8" or so, and weighed in at close to 300#. Then the kilt was olive in color. Add to that, it had patch pockets in the "Gateway Tartan". You all know the one I mean, the Gateway computer black and white cow pattern. Of course, he had to compleat his outfit with a jacobite shirt and sneakers. And since he was a "brave Jacobite warrior", he had to have a hand and a half sword strapped to his waist. Hamish would have had a heart attack.

This is my first post here, after lurking a few weeks. Apparently I violate your first don't as well. I'm 5'6" and I weigh in at 330lbs. I wear a kilt anyway, and to tell you the truth, it looks a damn sight better on me than pants do. Here's a couple of pics, you tell me if I'm committing any major "don'ts" by being the wrong size. (and I do realize that the kilt is a little low in the first picture, I made the thing myself (shameless brag-I think I did a good job pleating to the sett, especially as this is the first kilt I've made.) and was in a rush to have my wife photograph me before I realized that the kilt had slipped an inch or two.) As to a couple of other don'ts I've seen mentioned in this thread, I used to wear my great kilt with sandals often- I dress for my comfort. I also wear a baseball cap with my kilt- I have to wear a hat, I'm both bald and sunburn easily, and the sun in Colorado could strip the paint off a battleship. Besides all that, I am of the opinion, and I'm sure some folks will agree with me, while others will shout me down, the Balmoral is one of the biggest "don'ts" of all time, with kilt or no.



I think what it comes down to is that I agree with some of the major "don'ts," but some is just nitpicking. Then again, if I was worried what the "fashion police" thought, I'd still have my tackle locked in trousers all the time and wouldn't wear a kilt at all. Oh well, fun thread anyway, and I'd love to know what y'all think.

Charles Walker

[Dreadbelly]

Dood, I think you look pretty darn good. I don't see ye doing any "don'ts" there.

[Jimmy the Celt]

This is my first post here, after lurking a few weeks.

First off, welcome to the rabble! You look great, man; I don't see any don'ts.

[mddock58]

Welcome!

Originally Posted by Erisianmonkey
I think what it comes down to is that I agree with some of the major "don'ts," but some is just nitpicking.

And FYI ....... the "Do's & Don'ts" are informational and humourous. They are not intended to be "the guide for the kilt police", but advice on how to best represent kilt wearing.

The worst thing that can be done for those of us who wish to make kilt wearing standardly "acceptable" , is wear it looking like a cheap costume, or just plain making it look bad! ( which is a matter of taste, but is still showing the kilt in a light that my not be positive)

Know the kilt, respect the kilt, and stand proud in the kilt!

[Erisianmonkey]

The worst thing that can be done for those of us who wish to make kilt wearing standardly "acceptable" , is wear it looking like a cheap costume, or just plain making it look bad! ( which is a matter of taste, but is still showing the kilt in a light that my not be positive)

I understand what you mean, but one of the things that kept me from wearing a kilt for years was the misconception that a kilt must be worn in a PC outfit or with full piper's regalia. As long as that particular misconception keeps floating around, the idea that kilts are "costumes" will be something we have to contend with.

To pull this back into the fun area that this thread has, if you can get past the "do" in this pic, there's a laundry list of "don'ts." (scary thing is, this comes from a website selling these...)

[Hamish]

I saw some terrible kilts at theichmond games this past weekend, but I didn't take any pics. I think the worst of all was a guy wearing a contemporary kilt. First of all, the guy was about 5'8" or so, and weighed in at close to 300#. Then the kilt was olive in color. Add to that, it had patch pockets in the "Gateway Tartan". You all know the one I mean, the Gateway computer black and white cow pattern. Of course, he had to compleat his outfit with a jacobite shirt and sneakers. And since he was a "brave Jacobite warrior", he had to have a hand and a half sword strapped to his waist. Hamish would have had a heart attack.

I very nearly did, just by ready your description!!!! Phew! Thank Goodness I am sitting down.....

[Nick]

Welcome Charles!!!

I don't think weight has any bearing on kilt wearing. There's a wide weight variety here, and we all wear the kilt with pride.

The thing I see weight effecting is the sporran. If the sporran or the strap get under the belly it can cause the apron to bunch. I've lost a good amount of weight, but still have a belly, and I have that problem all the time, one of the reasons I don't like wearing sporrans much. Something I just haven't mastered to my satisfaction.

Sliante!
Nick

[Jimmy the Celt]

To pull this back into the fun area that this thread has, if you can get past the "do" in this pic, there's a laundry list of "don'ts." (scary thing is, this comes from a website selling these...)

There's a website that sells pretty lassies?

Yes, I've noticed the sporran issue myself, though it seems to depend on what type of kilt I'm wearing. I have a bit of gut, and on a sporran belt, it tends to slide below the gut a little with traditional kilts, so I use sporran belt-loops to suspend it from my kilt belt. With casuals, it doesn't seem to matter, as it doesn't have the rise of traditionals, making it unoticable.

[David White]

Looks good Charles!
A kilt is for comfort imho. I have friends in Scotland that wear them with Hawaiian shirts!, untucked of coarse.

[Erisianmonkey]

Nick: I've avoided that this far by not owning a traditional sporran. I had an imitation leather purse that I found in a thrift store that when worn like a sporran looked really nice. Unfortunately it's seen better days, so now I have a waist pack that I use as a sporran. That waist pack would probably get on the "don't" list as it has a 1.5 inch chrome studded black leather belt. It just happens to be another sign of me being an outdated goth-type. *sigh* I keep telling myself I'm too young too feel this old but it isn't working.

James: I wish there was a website selling pretty young lassies! Then again, I'm not sure my wife would appreciate that one very much.

David: In the summers I used to wear my great kilt with a sleeveless shirt and sandals. I may have been a fashion "don't," but I can guarantee you I was the most comfortable guy around!