Good conversation with a native

[Tartan Hiker]

Both of my sons and I wore kilts to church yesterday (unusual for them, standard operating procedure for me). After the service, I was introduced to a gentleman who was visiting campus (Warren Wilson college, a small Presbyterian-affiliated college here in western NC). Turns out it was his last day visiting here in the states before returning to Scotland. He recognized my MacDonnell tartan as he lives not far from Invergarry and descended from the MacDonald/MacDonnell rabble himself.

We had a nice chat. I was interested in his unsolicited opinion that indeed (as many here have stated) that a generation ago it was rather rare to see a Scot in a kilt outside of very formal affairs, but that today kilt wearing is far more common. He said that in the several weddings he has attended lately, nearly every male in attendance was kilted.

[Tommy Hunt]

Good bit of info and a great chance meeting. I'm wondering why more young men don't wear kilts as a cool fashion statement or why some fashion designer hasn't picked up on what I believe would be a real hit among the male youth. Guys look cool in kilts and if you're young and in good shape even better. There's no getting away from it. Besides it's rebellious.

[KiltedCoastie]

I wonder if it is possible, that the genesis of kilt fashion now experiencing a rebirth, that the rest of the world will recognize and embrace the kilt as a normal part of any man's wardrobe. The forum is filled with stories about how members wore their kilt here or there, or that they wore only kilts for a week, etc. Can you imagine that for a large number of men wearing a kilt would be no different than wearing Levi's. Well, we can only hope the logic of the thing gets past the cultrual hurdles of our recent history.
We are the pioneers that will make it happen. Just think of those women who first wore pants--oh, the blasphemy wearing such an anatomically logical piece of clothing for a woman! They were looked at funny, accused of dressing like a man, etc. Maybe, just maybe, we are those men that will initiate a transformation in our culture where to wear a kilt is just damned natural for a man.

Just kind of came to me when I read your posts.

[CDNSushi]

Then when the whole world catches on, we can be the ones to shrug and say that we've been wearing them even before they became popular.

My only concern is, (and this has been voiced on this forum before) that it suddenly takes off like wildfire in the fashion world, and within a year or two it'll be passe. People will take one look at us and say, "Oh you're still wearing a KILT? That's just soooo yesterday!"

Mind you, ball caps and blue jeans became popular and have stuck around... So maybe my fears are unfounded.

[george7]

It's good to hear the Scottish perspective. I think it would be interesting to see some statistics on who wears, manufactures, owns per capita the most kilts (and perhaps bagpipes). I would guess the US is high on most total but low on per capita.

[Jack Daw]

There's a groundswell of tartan coming!

[Jimmy]

Where the kilt is worn most frequently by male youth appears to be a events such as Scotland's National Soccer side home and away matches and I have noticed in recent years at the Cowal Highland Games in Dunoon. It is almost de rigeur to be dressed in such a way at these events. There is a distinct lack of formality of dress at these events with the kilt being worn well below the knees and socks down at the ankles with a pair of Timberland boots.
As previously said young people can wear almost anything and look good in it but what amazes me that these young people look good in their kilts even with their lack of respect for its formalities but do not tend to wear the kilt at any other social events they attend. Certainly here in Scotland the kilt in recent years has had a new lease of life with almost every male wearing it at some point in his life. Almost in every town in Scotland, there is a kilt hire shop, these shops up until a few years ago were the preserve of the big cities.
So here we have our puzzle, while every young male in Scotland wants to or has worn a kilt, even owns one, and knows that he looks quite cool and good in it, he still won't wear it more frequently at social or leisure events with the chance of wearing the kilt at work a million to one.
Certainly we are not going to see young men who hang about street corners for their evening entertainment with their friends, dressed in a kilt but it would be good to see the kilt worn more frequently at leisure.
With the recent introduction of less expensive kilts on the market then cost no longer is a major factor, in fact if wanting to wear a kilt at leisure and more frequently, then the cheaper version is more adaptable for this purpose as I have increased my frquency of wear because of these less expensive kilts