Please explain...

[muirkirkca]

I have no problem with the many multiple designs and fabrics as copying the basic kilt is a high form of flattery and helps in the popularity of the kilt. One caveat, I draw the line at floor length, sewn up to the crotch and severed into two legs.

[DTrain]

RobertsonII, I am glad that you enjoy kilts as an extension of your Scottish descent. Many people first investigate kilts as interest in their Scottish heritage. But the kilt TRANSCENDS Scotland and Scottish people. There are people all over the world on this forum, some with Scottish heritage, some without.

The kilt has evolved from a tartan-only, Scottish garment to be a more widely accepted, modern piece of clothing to be worn by anyone, male or female, Scottish or not. If you disagree with this, that is unfortunate. It is simply the reality of the situation. Free your mind and your a-- will follow.

[Woodsman]

I wear kilts because they are comfortable and good looking. I enjoy the historical aspect of the tartans and the Scottish origins. I like the look, feel and praticality of contemporary kilts too.

The question SHOULD be why do we wear pants?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I even fail to see the point in buy any kilt just because you like the color. To wear kilt is to show pride not a fashion choice .

Do these non-tartan kilts tick you off?


("Sheep Washing in Glen Lyon" by nineteenth century artist Richard Ansdell)


("The Good Shepherd" by the same artist, c. 1870)


(John Brown, painted by Kenneth McLeay)


The London Scottish regimantal pipe band


The USMC Pipe Band


Honestly, you can like or dislike contemporary kilts. That's your choice. I, personally, don't like many "contemporary" style kilts. That's one reason why you don't see me posting often in the "contemporary & non-traditional kilt" category. But I don't begrudge anyone else their choice in wearing them.

You need to be very careful in painting with broad strokes as you are. Condemning anything other than wearing a kilt in your own bonifide clan tartan while calling on "tradition" to back your opinion is not justifiable. There is a lot more in the realm of traditional Scottish attire than clan tartans.

[Riverkilt]

Stay appropriate Ron...stay appropriate Ron....deep breath...okay...

Ya know....I've been through sooooo much just getting "permission" to wear kilts at work - in a free country that allows women to wear pants to work - that I'm really not much up for "what type" of kilt. The victory is in the freedom for both sexs to choose the type of garment I wanna wear. And I do own and occasionally wear a Dashiki...purchased from a vendor who sewed it up herself at a Black Pride gathering.

What is interesting to me, because it is me, is how my attitude towards kilts evolved. My grandfather Murdoch slathered me with our family heritage and history. I first went to Highland games and didn't much like them since so many there were "dour Scots" The idea of me ever owning a kilt or wearing one never occured to me until my late 50s.

I was impressed by the first Utilikilt workman's I saw at a Ren Faire. Just had to have one...that count is now 15 Utilikilts. They made sense. I bought some AmeriKilts and Freedom Kilts and Pittsburgh Kilts too in solids and camos.

Somewhere along the line my preference for solid and camo kilts evolved into tartan kilts. Now I'm attracted to tartan kilts much more than solids.

Go figure. A round about way to come to the tartan kilts.

But if anywhere during this process, this evolution, someone had told me what I can and can't wear I don't see one reason to listen to him or her.

The freedom is mine. I did have one bird at a highland games tell me I wasn't entitled to wear my first hand sewn kilt, Macdonald Lord of the Isles Hunting. Checked with my Clan Donald...they said he was a nut case. Following year I looked for him at the clan tent and they said they kicked him out for being rude and obnoxious. Ya gotta love the clan.

A good friend of mine made his living as a speaker. After every presentation there'd be a few people who just "had" to talk to him and tell him he got something wrong, or didn't understand, or really should know...

His stock response was, "I don't want to hear it." Of course they'd press on with their "but -buts" but John would just stand firm and say clearly and firmly, "I don't want to hear it."

He knew who he was and what he believed and he had no interest in having other people "set him straight."

That was a great example for me. Today, I'm a 63-year-old intelligent, aware adult with degrees, licenses, certifications, and experiences that include knowing well the sound of a bullet passing close by, and I don't need others wiser than me telling me how I should dress, or live my life thank you. If I've an interest I'll seek them out and ask them.

Course, never mind that I often run around doing the same thing myself...but that's different...right...

Ron

Okay...Murdoch would rise from the grave and bestow the wrath of Hell itself on me if I ever wore the tartans of certain clans or regiments....

[RobertsonII]

Do these non-tartan kilts tick you off?

First let me begin by stating that Mr. Newsome you are someone I truly respect. I have to take time to really reflect now upon what I said. To answer your question no these listed pictures I do not take offense to. I was refering to others. I am trying to watch how I word things because I know I am walking on a thin line here. The kilts and prints I was refering to is the utility kilts with cargo pockets in a veriety of colors. I believe I mentioned the one sold at Hot Topic as well.

You need to be very careful in painting with broad strokes as you are. Condemning anything other than wearing a kilt in your own bonifide clan tartan while calling on "tradition" to back your opinion is not justifiable. There is a lot more in the realm of traditional Scottish attire than clan tartans.

I hoestly did not bring up tradition. I know that family tartans in the history of kilts are somewhat recent. I also know some of the history of the kilt as I have visited your site and blog often . I also know what would happen if a Campbell was wearing Robertson Red and walked by a Clan Donnachaidh tent at a highland game. That being said let me appoligize to you and some of the others here for my wording (not my stance). I meant to open this thread for debate not act like I was bashing anyones choices.

[Panache]

...That being said let me appoligize to you and some of the others here for my wording (not my stance). I meant to open this thread for debate not act like I was bashing anyones choices.

Roberston II,

Their are plenty of staunch traditionalists here at XMTS (we even have a forum for discussion of nothing but tradtional kilts) so you will find yourself in good company.

Asking why people are drawn to Modern Kilts is fine.

Debate is fine.

Disagreement is fine as long as it does not become disagreeable.

A favorite phrase of Todd (cajunscot) is "different horses for different courses"

We are lucky here at XMTS to have such a diversity of kilt wearers.

Let the thread continue in the spirit of good fellowship that distinguishes our forum.

Cheers

Jamie

[northernsky]

Thanks to RobertsonII for getting this string started--honestly. I have learned a great deal about kilts and about some of the members of this great place we call X. The first kilt I wore was a polyviscous Fraser Hunting in a Dragon Boat race last spring. I loved the freedom so much I bought a wool 4 yd.Hunting Mackinnon just so I had one of my own. I now own or have on order, an 8 Yd Ancient Mackinnon, a Polyviscous Hunting (so I can race in my 'own colours') and a polyester 'brightly coloured' (you guess which one...) kilt for mucking around in. One day I hope to own a box pleated Davidson, a ultilikilt and anything else that looks comfortable, practicle and handsome. I have work my kilt to work--I teach in a HIgh School--to the great interest of students and fellow teachers alike. Yes they think I'm a bit eccentric, but they did before I wore a kilt too. Another faculty member has the most beautiful black leather kilt--and a 6'4'' frame to wear it on! So I am not alone in my kiltish wear. I wear a kilt because I can!

[string]

Not to get into the drama, but official tartans and clan tartans are an invention of the Victorian Era, there is a whole lotta kilted history previous to then.

[Ozman1944]

Well; you see, it's a free country, and I can wear (or not) whatever I want, wherever and whenever I want. Simple, eh?
I enjoy wearing kilts, I also enjoy switching colors.
Even if my Ancestors were NOT Scots,- which they were, by the way- I'd still wear them.
I could've chosen a Muslim Burkha, or German Leiderhosen but found the Kilt more comfy. and practical.