Observations from the weekend

[KiltedSkeleton]

Well I spent Saturday at the Oregon Country Fair. I'm not quite sure how to describe it except that it has alittle bit of everything there.

Steve and the UK crew were down there and it looked like they were doing some serious business. I got a new black denim for half-price because it was missing a snap. no big deal there.

What bothered me was how many people that were not wearing them right or just had the wrong sized kilts. I saw several people wearing kilts at mid thigh. Others that were way too long. I'm pretty sure the guys and gals at the UK booth weren't sizing people wrong. So these people were intentionally wearing them wrong.

Is it right for me to be upset about this AKA a "kilt snob"? Or should I just accept it?

[Jock Scot]

You may not like how people wear their kilt and I may well agree with you,but when all said and done its their choice to wear it how they like and not ours.

[hospitaller]

I get surprised every time I read things like this, meaning paying so much attention at what others wear and/or how they wear it.

It is their kilt, the size they want it and they wear it however they want it.

I equate it to guys wearing their pants down at their knees aka gangsta style, or girls wearing low cut jeans showing their thongs, etc.

It's not for me, but if it works for them...so be it.

Not everyone wears a kilt for the right reasons, for the simple reason that...there is no real reason to wear one, isnt that the mantra we keep telling ourselves in this forum?

To each his/her own is the way I feel about it.

[gilmore]

...I saw several people wearing kilts at mid thigh. Others that were way too long. ...

In former times the bottom of the kilt was often much shorter than it is worn now, a couple of inches or more above the knee, especially military kilts. Even today some wear it shorter, especially when hiking. It more comfortable without the kilt hitting the back of the knee with every step.

[Ian.MacAllan]

Don't let other people's actions upset you; their actions reflect on their character or judgment, not yours. If you see a chance to clue them in tactfully, do it, but consider it an act of charity, not a moral responsibility.

Responsible vendors usually have a good bit of experience with this sort of situation. If you have the good luck to find them not too busy to chat you might ask their take on the matter.

Keep in mind that we are kilted because we like to be kilted, not because we like to control or criticize other people's behavior.

.

[Larry124]

We all have our own version of things that make us wince.
Half the topics here have likes and dislikes, often quite firm.

Advice is a great thing. You can seek it. Or not. You can take it. Or not.
You can offer it. If asked.

If given the opportunity I advise folks: “Do some homework.” (X Marks is a good place for that!)
And then make an informed decision on your own preferences and style.

I don’t often see “too short”, but I’m amazed that in my limited experience, and even in photos from Highland Fair/Games and other events/outings, kilts very frequently fully cover the knees (and often feature high hose).

The high hose I can’t guess. Unless in cool/wet or cold weather.
Maybe some believe/teach that the higher you wear hose the dressier you look…?

For the long length I guess:

• An off-the-rack 24” length and the wearer isn’t tall enough for it, or,
• A made-to-measure length that “errs on the side of caution”, or,
• "Jeans waist” (hung at hips) has become such a lifelong habit that the length is left to fall wherever it may.
• Wearing the top at the navel or higher (and keeping it there) to control the length is easier said than done.

I’m lucky in being 6’ tall, and I almost always wear a wide belt, so stock 24” lengths do not cover my knees or “ride down”.
I also have AK’s and SK’s in the shorter length that I wear at jeans waist and that fall just at the top of my knees.
And a CC Economy that I ordered intentionally at 23” just because in summer I prefer a length slightly (slightly I say) above the knees.

[Jack Daw]

You may not like how people wear their kilt and I may well agree with you,but when all said and done its their choice to wear it how they like and not ours.

As for me, I'm quite open-minded about the ladies who choose to wear their kilt's or kilt skirts at mid-thigh or higher level.

[prb]

It seems counterintuitive to be a kilt snob about how someone wears a UK. If you accept the UK as a kilt, and accept their philosophy, then accept that people will be creative in their dress.

Were you a conservative tartan-tank-and-all-the-trimmings, anything-else-is-just-a-skirt sort of a person, then that would be a different matter.

[Jock Scot]

It seems counterintuitive to be a kilt snob about how someone wears a UK. If you accept the UK as a kilt, and accept their philosophy, then accept that people will be creative in their dress.

Were you a conservative tartan-tank-and-all-the-trimmings, anything-else-is-just-a-skirt sort of a person, then that would be a different matter.

Your second paragraph describes me almost perfectly.Have we met? However,you are very wrong in thinking that all the people,like me, think that the non traditional line is wrong.I make no bones about it,I don't like the non traditional look,but who am I to tell other people how to spend their money,what to wear and how to wear it?We are very lucky to live in a part of the world where we still have choice.Each to their own.

[prb]

However,you are very wrong in thinking that all the people,like me, think that the non traditional line is wrong.

That's not exactly what I meant. I meant that if you are some kind of hardline traditionalist, then criticising someone's length (ooer missus) would at least seem consistent. It's this "almost libertarian, but not quite" attitude that I find odd. The juxtaposition of saying "Hey, even though this MUG has a really narrow apron, and somewhat womanly pockets, it's still a manly garment... woah! check that dude out, his 'kilt' is more than three fingers above his knee! What a maroon!" is a bit jarring.

Put it this way, if I were wearing a UK (which is rare, but not unheard of), and a piper with all the trimmings wanted to rip into me for wearing a girly skirt, I might think him a bit of a dick, but understand his point of view. If someone wearing a UK "in the proper fashion", comes up to me and says "OMFG ur waring it rong!! N00b!", then I'd really have no idea what they were talking about.