Kilts and costumes

[Jock Scot]

I don't see the problem with wearing a kilt as part of a costume, any more than I would have a problem with wearing a pair of jeans, a tuxedo, or a jellaba. If, for instance, I decided to dress as a bagpiper for Halloween, what else would I wear, if not a kilt?

I am not too sure what the history of jeans,tuxedo or jellaba are,but are you suggesting that they are any more than variations of "clothes"?You are not suggesting that they are costumes,are you?The kilt is also a piece of clothing,no more no less,but a costume?No way.

The kilt is an evey day choice of clothing for a Scotsman,should he choose and to suggest that The kilt is a costume shows a singular lack of knowledge of Highland attire and its meaning to any Scot wherever they may be in this world.I do not wish to be rude,but an awful lot of suffering and more than a little blood has been spilt over too many years for the kilt to be regarded as a costume.

[GG]

An interesting debate that once and again tells me, how difficult communication really is. What is a costume?
To me (and most Europeans, I think) the term costume is used for a garment or garments intended for special occasions and the word is neutral loaded.
That will cover celebrations like weddings (white or black tie functions) as well as Halloween etc. Further it comprises what we describe as “national dress” or “national costume” (sorry).

Bear (Bear Kilts) used to have a pay off like “A kilt is a garment and not a costume”. What did he mean by that?
To me it always said that if a kilt is worn as a substitute to pants = trousers it is a garment; if it is used for weddings or the like (only) it is a costume (or part of a costume – full highland wear).

Most of you seem to have another idea of a costume. Some of you have even said that calling a kilt a “costume” would be an insult to a Scotsman – even if many, if not most Scotsmen probably wear their kilts as seldom as I wear “white tie”.
I won’t argue with you about definitions – English is not my mother tongue – but I realize how easy it is to insult someone without wanting to – just because of differences in the interpretation of terms such as “a costume”.

GG - A non-Scot who will wear his kilt as a garment.

[pipesndrumsnun]

Hmmm...very, very interesting discussion you've got going on here!

[MacMoose]

Fascinating discussion here. I have been to several Renn Faires where very bad attempts at highland dress were to be seen. Mind you, it was by the public, not the actual Rennies.

To add to this discussion, and perhaps to redirect fire....

I work at a lot of Highland Games, as many of us XMarks members do. From time to time, I see the Renn Faire crowd wandering the Games, dressed as fairies and such. There are even a small crowd that attends both the Loch Norman Games and Grandfather Mountain Games that show up in a mix of pirate gear and tie-dye kilts (Saints preserve us!).

For me, the jury is out about wearing a kilt at a Halloween party. Many sides to the argument to consider.

That being said, those that show up to Highland Games (where our heritage is being celebrated) in fantasy clothing need to be introduced to the business end of my Claymore.

Another round of whisky? My shout, folks.