21st Century Ankle-Length Kilts

[Mithral]

We're not in disagreement about the dates.

I'm well aware of Matt's website - he's got my own website in amongst his reviews.

Yeah, not sure why I felt I needed to quote you in my post now that I look at it.

And the link was for Kiltman. Good to hear your own stuff is there though, I'll check that out.

[planemaker]

I like the look of them myself, would be great for clubbing

Rob

Not my style........but if they like them, then I am ok with it.

[Coemgen]

Not for me, but I see no problem with it.

[caig]

Hamish, you are absolutely right, as usual. Very well put.

Even if these long kilts are not for you, they should be tolerated if worn by others.

One of my friends ( Hamish, it was Ian St.....ng) borrowed Howie's long grey kilt ( his prototype) to a ceilidh in Edinburgh and he loved it. He received many admiring glances - and he was over 60 years of age.

[O'Callaghan]

FWIW, a kilted leine would not be tartan, as linen is hard to dye, so those old kilt pictures probably are kilts (or great kilts) if they are tartan. Even in line drawings you should be able to tell that a leine is made of a plain fabric.

[Ozman1944]

Er, you DO realise this post is several years old?

[O'Callaghan]

I regularly get caught out like that! I'm comforted by the fact that 3 other people before me made the same mistake and also added replies today, though!

[JakobT]

In the year 2000 Pacific Opera in Victoria did a New piece called Erewon. The designer for that show was Debra Hansen of Stratford. She designed full length kilts for the men in that show. The kilts were built by Richardson's of Toronto. They were a grey Tartan and were rather stunning. So 21st Century kilts unfortunatly are way behind the times......

I don't know about that - I've seen pics of these full-length kilts in Geoffrey (Tailors) catalogue from January 2002, so if behind the times, it's not by that much.

[JakobT]

I am going to chime in on this one, and would suggest that unless you have actually seen or tried one of Howie's full-length kilts, you should not criticise them so vehemently.
...
Our beloved kilt has been evolving for a couple of hundred years (some would say much longer), so who are we to put a stop to that evolvement? It MUST be allowed to move forward or the kilt will, without a doubt, stagnate and slip back to becoming just another National Costume to be dragged out if its mothballs for special occasions. I embrace all variations on the kilt - I may not like them all and some I would never wear - but I am overjoyed to know that 'different' kilts, perhaps for particular locations or events, are being created and made available to an increasingly eager and widening consumer base.

Come on, Lads. Live and let live. Let's not be "old fuddy-duddies"! I will be 70 in a couple of months and that, I hope, is a title that could never be given to me. In fact, to celebrate, I'm having another kilt tailored - in snakeskin!

Hear, hear!
I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Uncle Ricky]

I'm quite open to the idea of the Kilt evolving and changing with the times. Longer, Shorter, Tartan, Denim, Wool, Leather, Silk, Pleats, No Pleats, whatever. We all know that there is precious little variety available in mens clothing.

It seems to me that many members of this forum protest loudly about anything that deviates from the traditional Manly Kilt. I have to wonder why?

Personally, I don't want the kilt to be relegated to "Costume" status to be worn only with the "Correct" acoutremonts at formal functions.

I want the kilt to be a normal acceptable garment that can be worn anytime anywhere by anyone who wishes to do so, without being labeled as a clown.

So, if you are among those who don't care for full length kilts, that is your right, and I respect that. But please don't deride those who do by distaining it as a skirt. A large percentage of the members of this forum also enjoy the skirt cafe.

Cheers and Peace,
Rick