Kilt vs. Tartan?

[Chef]

For me, it's all about the tartan. I have no objection to solid colour kilts, such as a saffron or green kilt for Irish heritage, or a tweed kilt a la the Balmoral ghillies -- but when push comes to shove, I wear a kilt as a symbol of my heritage, not necessarily for "freedom". Modern kilts -- well, they're just not my thing, though I don't begrudge anyone wearing them.

I'll be quite honest: I like trousers -- trews, cords, plus fours, etc. I'm not ashamed of it. I know it's not a popular opinion around here, but I'm not going to hide it. There are sometimes I just don't want to wear a kilt, and trews would be a nice alternative on those occasions. A country gent's shooting attire complete with hose and plus fours -- that's a great look. Take a look at what the gents are wearing in The Quiet Man, or Hector's outfits in Monarch of the Glen -- that's what I like.

But again, that's just me. I wouldn't dare force it on anyone else. Just don't knock trews until you've tried them.

I think Todd has put it quite well. For me the kilt represents the fact that I am Scottish. I am proud of it and I make a good part of my living from it. I do think that the kilt and tartan go together, one is not quite the same without the other.

For me kilts are just some of the choices in my closet. I could go kilted all the time, but I don't for two reasons: first I happen to have other clothes I like and second a kilt just isn't the most sensible garment for every situation. Again other than in the kitchen, I wear a kilt more than anything else, but by no means exclusively.



By the way, I do own a pair of trews and they are fine, funny thing I think I get more looks in trews with a kilt jacket etc, than I do in a kilt.

[Sir Robert]

For me kilts are plaid but some nice solids beat the heck out of ugly tartans.

Trews no way in hell, at all no, just no!

[Kilted_Campbell]

I wear both Tartan and Solid depending on the mood I am in where I am going. I am very proud of me Scottish heritage. You don't get a tattoo of the family crest if you are not proud of your family and heritage. My family did spend a stint in Ireland prior to coming to the US. So, I love both Scottish and Irish things. However, that said my solid kilts are Utilikilts worn for function and comfort.

[ccga3359]

Trews all the way. Solid, blue coloured denim with pockets.

[James MacMillan]

Is it more important/interesting to wear a kilt?
Or to wear a Tartan?

This is taking forever to get through all the posts. I must take a laptop with me on the next trip!

Back on topic.

I think the answer is = It depends on the individual!

On my recent cruise I met a gent who claimed to be a "Sub-Chieftain" of the Nesbitt Clan. He wore his tartan everyday in many forms, but never the kilt.

He had shirts, vests, sox, shorts, hats, you name it. Everyday, he had something on that was his tartan. But only that tartan! (sort of boring in my mind.) He had trews for the formal night and I wish I had a picture. He looked grand.

Me? I wear kilts for comfort. BUT - all my current kilts are tartan. I do have a solid color kilt on my wish list, but I don't currently own one.

Tartan, in my mind, is important to show heritage and connection, but, for me, it's the comfort!

[Galician]

I find this thread interesting for the fact that most people here equate the kilt with the tartan. I've seen on another forum how the earliest depictions we have of kilts, and their predecessors, are mostly monochrome. Usually saffron is the one seen, but one print from 16th century Germany has a troop of Scottish soldiers in solid red kilts.