Kilts and costumes

[Mike1]

Is this going to end up being another thread that gets locked down, simply because people cannot respect the opinions of others? There have been a couple of gentle warnings and they seem to be going ignored.

How about everyone walking away from this one for a while? Take a walk. Read a book. Eat some ice cream. And come to the realization that this isn't life or death, this is a forum built up around an article of clothing.

Press on with the arguments and away it goes.

[Archangel]

I want to thank Riverkilt for that quote. That's the translation of my family name "the place where the warriors put down their weapons and have a truce".

I would appreciate knowing the full name and quote if you have it.


And, relating to the thread, umm, I'll let it pass for now....it's clothing, not a religion.

[emolas]

Well, I will be wearing a kilt on Halloween this year but the only costume I will be wearing is "father who wears a kilt every day" while I escort my children around since I wear kilts exclusively when not at work. If I were to wear a costume and the costume itself did not dictate what to drape around my lower half then I would wear a kilt because that is my normal clothing. By strict definition, ALL clothing is a costume.

cos·tume (kŏs'tūm', -tyūm')
n.
1. A style of dress, including garments, accessories, and hairstyle, especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people.

2. An outfit or a disguise worn on Mardi Gras, Halloween, or similar occasions.

3. A set of clothes appropriate for a particular occasion or season.

[Bryan]

Well, I will be wearing a kilt on Halloween this year but the only costume I will be wearing is "father who wears a kilt every day" while I escort my children around since I wear kilts exclusively when not at work. If I were to wear a costume and the costume itself did not dictate what to drape around my lower half then I would wear a kilt because that is my normal clothing. By strict definition, ALL clothing is a costume.

cos·tume (kŏs'tūm', -tyūm')
n.
1. A style of dress, including garments, accessories, and hairstyle, especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people.

2. An outfit or a disguise worn on Mardi Gras, Halloween, or similar occasions.

3. A set of clothes appropriate for a particular occasion or season.

I posted the same thing and then deleted it because I saw you did too.

I just don't see what the big deal is. So someone wants to wear a kilt for Halloween. Big deal. Are you going to get offended if someone wear Lederhosen for Halloween or to a costume party too? Or what about a tux and going as James Bond?

I'd like to know when the kilt got elevated to some kind of sacred object and not a comfortable and stylish article of clothing.

[Howard Clark]

I really do think it is a matter of point of view. I've noticed that many of us who see no problem are americans, and some of those who do see a problem are Scots, for real, who live in Scotland today. Certainly that constitutes a different point of view.

I think we (americans) would do well to consider other people's point of view more often. As individuals, and as a people. I do not find it surprising in the least that many others around the planet are confused and irritated by our behaviour at times. We (those of us here at Xmarks) have the opportunity to do better. This is truly an international board, and I am thankful for that.

[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.

[Nervous Jock]

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

[escherblacksmith]

Heh.

well, just trying to get in before the lock . . .

I had a number of statements, arguments, rationale and so on. But in re-thinking about the posts so far, realistically, logic has very little to do with it. So, everyone have a safe Samhain's night and Halloween, I will be in a suit as a costume to work ("hit man" or "long haired guy with interview").

Amusingly enough, everyone has seen my kilt(s) far more than my suit.

[Navyguy]

I was going to be a Sith lord for Halloween, wearing a black and red x-kilt, cheerleeder type pleats, a black shirt and hooded cape, my sons "light sabre" and face paint. That is a kilt and a costume. I won't be wearing it now because Uncle sam needs me elsewhere. Maybee next ear though. Just my $0.02