With time more diverse kilt wearing

**NewKilt** · 24th February 08, 05:21 PM

I didn't expect this thread to take on a traditionalist vs. non-traditionalist discussion which it has in some cases. Although looking back at my original post, I can see were it could fuel such dialog. Please be respectful of each others points of view.

One thing I would like to point out is that I have great respect for the kilt. I will be making a presentation about the kilt to a first grade class on St. Patrick's Day. I'll will be wearing my 5 yd, 16 oz wool, Ireland's National. I'll use my Kennedy clan crest pin as my kilt pin. Along with this will be a light weight, black, v-neck sweater, white shirt, solid green tie, dress sporran, cream hose with solid green flashes, black kilt belt, well-shined black dress shoes, and a black sgian dubh. I'll be taking some examples of other kilts both traditional and non-traditional with me.

In part, when I wear a kilt less traditionally in the summer it's due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It's destroyed the sweat glands in my legs, arms,and hands. It's also destroyed some nerve functions to my heart so that my pulse rate does not ramp up and down like it should. I literally have a spreadsheet that lists my kilts by temperature endurance and check the temperature forecast to see what kilts I can wear. Wool kilts are out for me above 75 F. Stillwater standards are out above 80 F. Pulled up wool kilt hose are out above 70 F on a sunny day. I have to resort to light weight socker socks if I'm going to go "socks up" in the summer. Even then "socks up" is out much above 80 F. So for most of the summer it's Stillwater economies, thrifties, and Amerikilts with socks down. Even so, I wear solid t-shirts and socks that compliment the kilt. My white tennis shoes are always polished with white polish. If it's black shoes, they are well shined. My kilts are always clean and pressed. I also make it a point to study clan history if I'm wearing a tartan that is not universal.

From my viewpoint you can look very good and be respectful of the kilt in a t-shirt and tennis shoes if you coordinate what you wear. Since my condition is progressive and has no cure I have about 2-4 years left. I cherish every day that I can still wear this most masculine and comfortable of garments and the history it represents.

Darrell

**Jock Scot** · 24th February 08, 05:57 PM

Well New Kilt ,you have certainly put things into perspective in a major way.I am delighted though that you are enjoying wearing the kilt and wearing it with respect.I think that is all any of us traditionalists are asking for.I can only ask, I most certainly cannot tell anyone how to wear the kilt and I don't think that I have.

Without wishing to be silly here,what does a pair of hose matter if they are up or down when compared to your problems.I thank you for pointing out to me,at least,that there really are far more important things in this world than kilts. All the very best to you,Jock.

**Erisianmonkey** · 24th February 08, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

Your right, it is not. A kilt is however recognised as a form of national dress. Because of that, you should recognise it represents more to some people than a way to thumb their nose at the establishment or to let their privates hang free. I'm not a kilt snob because I think everyone should dress more formally, I'm a kilt snob because the kilt means something to me. It represents my history, my heritage and my family.

The kilt represents my heritage as well. That does not mean that I think that "traditional" is the only way to wear a kilt. I have no objection to people dressing in the Victorian getup that you have repeatedly in this thread stated is the only proper way to wear a kilt. I deeply resent the implication that was made before (and made explicit with this paragraph) that those who don't wear their kilt in the way you dictate are disrespecting its "Scottishness." Or that those who don't wear a kilt in the way that you dictate are less of Scots descent than you. I'll grant you I have more Irish blood than Scots, but that does not lessen my respect for my Scots heritage.

The kilt is unique in that it is probably the only single garment in the world that would gather people of so many different viewpoints together in one place to discuss it. There are many people of Scots descent who are afraid of claiming this piece of their heritage because dressing in a prescribed fashion goes against their principles. Folks like myself help to show them that a kilt is not a costume that must be worn only with this accessory or that or you are not recognizing that the kilt "means something" if you don't wear it in the "proper" (i.e., PC, or the like) way.

At that, I'm sure that my highland ancestors are spinning in their graves at the thought that people are claiming that "Highland Dress" is only proper if done in the method decided on mostly by the Gentry in the 19th century.

**Highland Logan** · 24th February 08, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by TechBear

And therein lies a distinction that I think should be made. I have several Utilikilts which I wear in lieu of shorts when it is warm. While UKs are based on "proper modern Scottish attire," they are actually an American garment.

They are very American... and based on a pair of cargo shorts, not a kilt. And when it comes to protocol and dress etiquette when wearing the kilt these don't count, because they are not kilts. If you wear a Utilikilt and don't wear a sporran, or no flashes... not to worry, the kilt snobs, kilt police, ect. well not hound you, and don't care... "It's not a kilt".