Why the kilt

[kiltedsawyer]

I'm a newbie, that said, I find I am addicted to this site, amazed by the sincerity, and awed by the fraternity. As I was reading the post of another newbie, (me kilted,) it struck me that I have never examined in whole the reason I am drawn to this. Is it heritage? Is it the desire to be different? Is it what? I'd be interested to hear what has brought so many of you to the kilt, in any of it's current manifestations. I know that I am a traditionalist, and a lover of old things, but would like to hear why we are as we are. Comfort, freedom, both represented well in other posts, but still, we are drawn to this by more. A chance at a little introspection here, or perhaps refer me to an earlier thread. Please respond.
Respectfully,
David

[Nervous Jock]

It is a cracking bit of gear

[MACKAY]

It started purely from a heritage standpoint for me when I was just a little guy. My Grandparents were from Scotland and my Grandfather wore the Kilt every chance he got which instilled a sense of awe an respect on my young mind, which carries through to today. Once I realized wearing the Kilt was not just limited to attending the Games, a whole new world opened up to me.

At 45 I am rediscovering not only my heritage through kilt wearing, but a whole new way of thinking about myself and my approach to life. Without XMTS I doubt that I would have found this path. My sig says it best I think ......

[The Wizard of BC]

Simple

Swish + Swagger = Swoon!

[Archangel]

It covers me nakedness.

[cessna152towser]

Quite frankly, I wouldn't have been seen dead in a kilt when I was younger. My wife eventually coaxed me when I was about 40 to get a kilt for Scottish Country Dancing, I discovered how comfortable they were, that nobody would laugh at me, that people would admire the kilt and make conversation. Even then I still regarded it as costume, until a leg injury forced me to wear a kilt to work for a few weeks, where it was so well accepted, that I began to wear kilts for everyday wear. Now I have 17 kilts with another one on order and wear a kilt most days.

[Tattoo Bradley]

It started as strictly a heritage thing. I am also quite the fan of "old fashioned" things. Nikki says I'm an "old man" in that way. Oh well.

[morrison]

It was a manifestation of rebellion for me, amongst the many others feelings I carry in me. My first, the UK Mocker held a particularly inviting appeal for me. After that, "Blow the gates, let the flood!"
:butt:

[Cirthalion]

Kiltedsawyer,

I've wrestled with the same question, as a serious kiltie and someone who studies cultural patterns. The answer for me comes down to identity: wearing the kilt is a outward manifestation of one's identity. Now, what exactly it signifies is a different thing for each of us: but traditionalism and Celticism has much to do with it. For me, as a Canadian is the largely secular and Republican United States, it is a way of signifying my cultural identity as a British loyalist and my religious identity as a Anglican with affinities for early Celtic Christianity.

Oh, yeah, and as Nervous Jock said, "it's a cracking bit of gear."

-- Cirthalion

[kiltedsawyer]

It covers me nakedness.

So will a fig leaf,....thanks for your good humor.