Kilts and costumes

**Chef** · 3rd October 07, 02:22 PM

The one day a year I will not wear a kilt (even as just daily wear) is Halloween, why because of the perception. All of us here would like to see the the kilt accepted as a man's everyday garment, however at this time it is not universally accepted as such. Now, if you wear a kilt on Halloween, just as you normally do, I guarantee the majority of those who don't know you will think you are dressed in a costume. So it just adds to the misconception.

Too many people think of the kilt as a costume, so we do ourselves (and the kilt cause) no favours by helping them. If the time comes when the public doesn't assume costume just because they see a kilt on Halloween, then I will gladly wear mine either as daily dress or as a Hollywood Braveheart for a party.

For now I wear pants on Halloween and if anyone wants to know where my kilt is I answer "Well aren't you supposed to dress in a costume today?"

**Coemgen** · 3rd October 07, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

For now I wear pants on Halloween and if anyone wants to know where my kilt is I answer "Well aren't you supposed to dress in a costume today?"

I am totally stealing that this year!

**Chef** · 3rd October 07, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by ChromeScholar

It is the issue. IMO, if you want to have the kilt treated like any other clothing, then treat it like any other clothing. The kilt seems to be the only type of clothing (as far as I can see) that offends just for being worn as part of a costume. That, in and of itself, prevents it from being treated as any other type of clothing.

But the kilt is not treated like any other clothing, and if you wear it as a costume it is less likely to be seen as everyday wear. Hopefully that will change. The other reason it offends is unlike jeans or khakis it has a symbolism that some don't like denigrated. The worst offender of this is the Insta Kilt box. While I have no problem with the kilt towel selling it with an "Up your Kilt" t-shirt and one of those stupid jimmy hats as a costume is pure rubbish.

Originally Posted by Roan Carter

Also of note, some of us who have tried to wear the kilt have been told "no!" on the grounds that the kilt is a costume for special occasions. That is what my dad told me. I won't forget how he used that exact word, and how much I disagreed. So I wear my kilts daily, and I'm not interested in having it equated to a costume.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by ccga3359

I would not have seen the kilt as the costume, because I am not an idiot. As for those idiots who do see a kilt as a costume, then they would also see it as such the other 364 days of the year. Why would you allow these people to dictate your life, your decisions?

However you are a kilt wearer, so your view is skewed here. It's not about someone dictating to you, it's about changing perceptions. Not everyone sees wearing their kilt as a sign of anti-establishment or rebellion.

Originally Posted by Coemgen

I am totally stealing that this year!

Your welcome

Think about it, Halloween is about dressing up as something you are not. So if you are a regular kilt wearer (and particularly if you see it as part of your identity) why would you wear one on Halloween as a costume?

**ccga3359** · 3rd October 07, 04:11 PM

My point is that if you're reating a character such as Mel Gibson's Braveheart or Simpson's Groundskeeper Willy the kilt is a part of that character and helps define it. The kilt is a must and will only be seen as part of that definition and not as the centrepiece. It would be about as insulting to a Scotsman as what is seen weekly on TV or on the big screen. Now an instakilt and Jimmy hat would be insulting and I fully agree with you there.

**Chef** · 3rd October 07, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

My point is that if you're reating a character such as Mel Gibson's Braveheart or Simpson's Groundskeeper Willy the kilt is a part of that character and helps define it.

I agree that from that stand point I would not be insulted as a Scotsman. I still have a problem with it if you are using the same garment you will wear to work the next day.

I should say I don't have a problem with a Great kilt being worn as a costume as since it is period dress I consider it a costume anyway.

**ccga3359** · 3rd October 07, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

I agree that from that stand point I would not be insulted as a Scotsman. I still have a problem with it if you are using the same garment you will wear to work the next day.

I should say I don't have a problem with a Great kilt being worn as a costume as since it is period dress I consider it a costume anyway.

To be honest though, aside from the characters I've mention above and Jake's kilted pirate how would one costumize a kilt? Now, I don't wear a kilt daily but I wouldn't go out at hallowe'en in my kilt night get up, not even if it was a kilt night.

**haukehaien** · 3rd October 07, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

To be honest though, aside from the characters I've mention above and Jake's kilted pirate how would one costumize a kilt? Now, I don't wear a kilt daily but I wouldn't go out at hallowe'en in my kilt night get up, not even if it was a kilt night.

I think one could "costumize" a kilt by going for a period look, for instance. I know we have several members who do re-enacting, and who (in my opinion) wear the kilt as a costume while re-enacting. (NOTE: I am not saying "costume" in ANY sort of negative sense. I think re-enacting of all types is cool, and have at various times considered it, before realizing that I need another hobby like I need a hole in my head. Or wallet, which is closer to how hobbies work.) That is to say, these members are not in fact members of the Bonnie Prince's army at Culloden, or one of HM's highland regiments during the American Revolutionary War, (or the Zulu wars, or WWII, or anything else.) All of these are to some extent examples of wearing the kilt as a costume, and I for one think they're just fine. If someone who does this wants to wear their period outfit for Halloween, then more power to them. Or if someone (someone who has the physique for it, which rules me out) wants to wear a kilt in the manner of one of those bulging lads on the covers of the trashy romance novels, that could be a good costume. (Especially if he can persuade his lady friend/wife/whatever to dress up as the other half of that tableau.) Or one could try a modern/non-trad kilt with appropriate accessories to appear as one of Heinlein's heroes, or some other sci-fi adventurer. There are lots of ways to wear the kilt as a costume, none of which appear to coincide with wearing the kilt for everyday life. For me, I come down on the side of "wear the kilt how you like, whether as costume or whatever." If wearing the kilt as a costume offends you, then don't do it. If it doesn't, and you feel like it, then go ahead.

**Nervous Jock** · 5th October 07, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Chef

The one day a year I will not wear a kilt (even as just daily wear) is Halloween, why because of the perception. All of us here would like to see the the kilt accepted as a man's everyday garment, however at this time it is not universally accepted as such. Now, if you wear a kilt on Halloween, just as you normally do, I guarantee the majority of those who don't know you will think you are dressed in a costume. So it just adds to the misconception.

Too many people think of the kilt as a costume, so we do ourselves (and the kilt cause) no favours by helping them. If the time comes when the public doesn't assume costume just because they see a kilt on Halloween, then I will gladly wear mine either as daily dress or as a Hollywood Braveheart for a party.

For now I wear pants on Halloween and if anyone wants to know where my kilt is I answer "Well aren't you supposed to dress in a costume today?"

sharp