Kilts and costumes

**gilmore** · 3rd October 07, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

To suggest that the kilt is a costume(on occasions eg Halloween)just shows ignorance of Highland attire.You will do what you will do with your kilt and that is your right.Please bare our sensitivities in mind and might I strongly recommend that you do not visit Scotland and tell us the kilt is a costume!

I agree with you completely. A parallel would be wearing blackface and tap dancing, and not understanding why African Americans might be offended.

**ChromeScholar** · 3rd October 07, 02:31 PM

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.

People think a kilt is a costume even if it isn't Halloween. I don't worry too much about what other people think of my clothes.

Too many people think of the kilt as a costume, so we do ourselves (and the kilt cause) no favours by helping them.

I don't think of myself as part of a "kilt cause". I'm a person who wears a kilt (sometimes). What other people think is fairly irrelevant to me. If they ask me questions, I will do my best to answer them accurately. I don't see any need to defend my wearing of the kilt, whether it's daily wear, or part of a costume.

**macwilkin** · 3rd October 07, 02:39 PM

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.

To quote Priscilla Mullins via Longfellow, "Speak for yourself, John Alden."

Todd

**rollerboy_1979** · 3rd October 07, 02:40 PM

The very first time I wore a kilt was at work on Halloween. It was a rented Prince Charlie formal outfit, and it was authentic, right down to the flashes and sgian dubh. I wore it because it was the only way I could do so at work, and because I was interested in buying one and wanted to gauge public opinion. I am pleased to say that wearing it was such a positive experience that I've since purchased the P.C. and Argyle jackets, Gordon Tartan, and all the appropriate accessories. As a hotel concierge at the time, it felt as though it was what I should be wearing, and the reaction of the hotel guests was overwhelmingly positive. How could that be a bad thing? It wasn't worn at a party and it was done with the utmost taste. I probably made a mistake wearing it to the masquerade party recently where I was "lifted" twice, but that was not a costume party and I felt good wearing it. Again, how could that be wrong? I am wearing my kilt at every chance I get, and I'm learning a great deal about human nature and other people's insecurities. Somehow, you become a student of human behavior when you wear a kilt, and it can be a real eye-opener. I say wear it with pride, good taste, and passion wherever and whenever you please. It won't take long for your friends and family to realize that this isn't a phase you're going through.
Cheers!
RB

**ChromeScholar** · 3rd October 07, 02:42 PM

I think I'm seeing a misconception here. I may be wrong, but no one has suggested that the kilt is "a costume". No one here is going to visit Scotland and call the kilt "a costume". However, the kilt may be "part of a costume", just as all other forms of clothing may be "part of a costume".

A parallel would be wearing blackface and tap dancing, and not understanding why African Americans might be offended.

I'm sorry. I fail to see the analogy between wearing a kilt at Halloween, and dressing up in blackface. A better analogy would be dressing up as a fireman, or a cowboy. Should firemen or cowboys get offended because someone dresses up as one at Halloween?

**Roan Carter** · 3rd October 07, 02:44 PM

One of my friends wanted to borrow a kilt of mine for Halloween and it irked me. There's a misunderstanding between him, and people like myself who feel like the kilt is not a costume.

I actually received my first kilt on Halloween day. Some friends who were trick-or-treating asked me to put it on and join them, but I refused wearing the kilt because if I wore it that day no one could take it seriously any other day. Therein lies the issue, I think.

**Monkey@Arms** · 3rd October 07, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

I agree with you completely. A parallel would be wearing blackface and tap dancing, and not understanding why African Americans might be offended.

I'm not so certain I buy into that analogy. Since you are discussing the issue in the abstract, not the merits of any particular costume, I think the parallel is between someone renting a kilt and PC to dress up as a "Scotsman," and that same someone dressing up as a German in liederhossen and a Tyrolean hat, or as a Frenchman in stripped t-shirt, beret and cigarette, or for that matter a European dressing as an "American Tourist," with loud shirt and camera. While all involve stereotypes (as do many Halloween costumes for sale such as "hippie" "goth" "punk" etc.) none carry the racial baggage, and history of discrimination, as a white person dressing in black face.

Since just wearing a kilt, would not be "dressing up" it would not work as a Halloween costume for me, but I did do the Braveheart-face-paint-sword-thing last year. By the same token, I respect Chef's views that the perception of kilt as costume is one of things that stands as an obstacle to its acceptance as daily wear.

Best regards,

Jake

**Howard Clark** · 3rd October 07, 02:55 PM

I would argue that the issue is point of view. I am in the midst of conditioning all those who know me that my wearing a kilt is not a costume, but the way I choose to dress.

That does not mean that I won't be wearing a belted plaid and jacobite shirt with appropriate accessories for Halloween to accompany my kids. The younger is gonna be a power ranger, and the elder one is as yet undecided, but he may go in a belted plaid with a wooden sword as well.

I don't see an issue other than point of view of the observer and attitude of the kiltie whilst so clothed.

But then I am getting better at not letting things bother me so much any more. One of the benefits of growing older (few, but there are some).

Smile, be happy, wear your kilt with pride and dignity, whether it is your every day wear, or your Halloween costume.

You may fire at me at will.

**James MacMillan** · 3rd October 07, 02:58 PM

Oh heck - Wear what you want! Come to my house when you are out trick-or-treating, and I'll talk kilts with you, and even offer you a beer or a single malt..............

**ChromeScholar** · 3rd October 07, 02:58 PM

I refused wearing the kilt because if I wore it that day no one could take it seriously any other day. Therein lies the issue, I think.

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.

Since you are discussing the issue in the abstract, not the merits of any particular costume, I think the parallel between someone renting a kilt and PC to dress up as a "Scotsman," and that same someone dressing up as a German in liederhossen and a Tyrolean hat, or as a Frenchman in stripped t-shirt, beret and cigarette, or for that matter a European dressing as an "American Tourist," with loud shirt and camera. While all involve stereotypes (as do many Halloween costumes for sale such as "hippie" "goth" "punk" etc.) none carry the racial baggage, and history of discrimination, as a white person dressing in black face.

Thank you! This is what I was trying to say (but not nearly this well).