X Marks the Scot has changed

[Alan H]

When I joined up several years ago, I'd say the discussion was probably 50/50 split between "traditional" kilts and "contemporary" kilts. Was it 60/40? 40/60? 37.5/62.5 I don't know! However, there was a lot of discussion about Utilikilts, Freedom Kilts, R-Kilts, Grants neato paintball kilt, Pittsburgh kilts and so on in addition to tartan and pleating topics. I remember the occasional post about whether "this looked all right", which evolved into discussions of the "norm" of wearing a Scottish Tartan kilt.

Now when I review the forum, it seems to me to be about 90% about "traditional" and 10% "contemporary". For example, a quick review of the pictures forum reveals that there are around 16-18 threads (depends on how you define them) "about" traditional (or at least tartan) kilts. There are two threads about contemporaries. The thread about dogs (which I quite enjoyed) contains lots of pictures. There are just about 20 pictures of men in tartan kilts in that thread, and exactly five with guys wearing contemporary kilts.

I'm curious if Freedom Kilts has seen an upswing in the number of tartan "more-or-less traditional" kilts ordered and a slowing down of the contemporary kilts ordered? If so, then maybe it's a trend.

I tend to think that it's not, though. I tend to think that X Marks has just gravitated towards a more traditionally Scottish-oriented viewpoint, and the number of members who are somewhat forward about expressing that particular viewpoint has increased. This is not a "bad thing", eh? It's just a change and all things change.

Now we move from the "observation" part to the personal statement part.

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I, personally am not entirely happy with the change. I'm sure that there are other folks who are quite happy with it, but although I have ten tartan kilts in my collection and only one contemporary, it's not really about "traditional vs contemporary". I'd like to emphasize that it's NOT about "traditional kilts vs. contemporary kilts". NOT, NOT.....though it might be somewhat more about "traditional viewpoints" versus a more "contemporary or freewheeling outlook". I'm actually having a hard time explaining myself here. Look at it this way.... Yes, this is a very difficult time for my family, and I am quite stressed, with the corresponding change in attitude that comes with that. And yes, I know that the X-Kilt manual will be well received and welcomed, and that many more X-Kilts will be made by forum members and by folks who find out about it elsewhere and download the instructions but never post here. But the truth is that the forum has changed and I, personally am less and less comfortable posting here. I have resisted poking fun and I've behaved myself, for which I'm sure the mods are thankful!

Nonetheless, the forum has changed, and as it stands now, I find that I have very little to say here, any more. When I read many of the threads I find myself turning away and going elsewhere online, because much of what is written here now really annoys me. Maybe it's me....people change, who knows? Maybe it's me. In fact, certainly PART of it is "me". But it's not all "me".

I wonder if any other people are feeling this?

The forum has changed.

[cessna152towser]

I have perhaps not been around long enough to notice a trend but I think xmarksthescot is perceived by many of us as the leading forum for discussing traditional kilts, and as barely tolerant of modern kilts and even then only so long as they still comply with the kilt rules of overlapping front apron and pleats at the back.
Different fora fulfil different needs and I find that I tend to mostly come here re traditional kilt discussion and to go over to Skirtcafe for topics such as utilikilts and other forms of MUGs. There is some overlap between the two, with Utilikilts and the like occasionally appearing on here and a dedicated kilts board on Skirtcafe but each have their own role to play.

[McFarkus]

I can't put my finger on it, but, for me, Xmarks isn't as much fun as it used to be.

[starbkjrus]

I've been thinking about this for a while and would like to offer up this view:

I think people around the world are stressed right now. I'm not in as good a mood as I was six or seven months ago and that makes me less tolerant of "annoying" things that normally wouldn't faze me and tend to perhaps post a snarky reply that I wouldn't have before.

There are a lot of crappy things going on just now that are personally affecting a lot of people. I submit that we are crabby.

[Phil]

I've been here even less time than cessna so I can't say I've noticed much of a change and I am sorry that the fun has gone out of posting here. I suppose it has a lot to do with the people who post nowadays and the things they want to talk about so as a "newer" member I must plead guilty there. At the end of the day it is all down to the members posting and, I suppose to an extent, to the Moderators as to just what does get discussed here and I, for one, have noticed that there is much less freedom of expression than before. And, of course, there is only so much you can discuss about kilts, be they tartan tanks, utilikilts or whatever so after a while these discussions are bound to dry up as new people with questions are told to look up the many previous posts on the same subject.

[davedove]

Things do change over time, for many different reasons. Membership and Moderators change. Even the individual members will themselves change as they grow older and different things appeal to them.

It seems to me that there are more posts along the lines of "Is it okay to do this?" or "One shouldn't do this." And, like Alan, there does seem to be more focus on traditional kilts. I don't particularly mind this, as that is what I primarily wear. I don't necessarily wear them in a highland fashion though (hey, I like my flat caps).

Of course, those who are hardcore traditionalists may feel like there are a lot of posts on non-traditional kilts.

[cavscout]

It's not just you Alan. The tide has changed, the winds have shifted, and any other cliche you might choose.

XMTS has definitely taken a traditionalist slant and I would say even gone to an extreme traditionalist slant. When I first joined, pub nights and casual kilt wear for a night out was the bulk of the conversation. What shirt and boots would look good for a night at the pub? Now it's gravitating toward packing on the bells and whistles. Honestly, some of the outfits around here today require so much effort to put on it completely negates the simple, functional practicality of the kilt. These are the reasons why I wear the kilt.

Many of the guys I'm talking with today about kilts are very receptive to the idea of a kilt. But most, if not all, of them are wanting the contemporary kilts. They like the cargo pockets and the more rugged (granted that's a perception, but a common one) appearance of the UK's, FK's,... Even my "vintage" PK gets a positive rating. They don't want the tartans even though the PV option would be a much better choice for them but alas it is not available in non-tartans at the $120 price point.

While XMTS is a very good pocket of knowledge and support, it is I'd say, somewhat out of touch with current desires of the common man who might choose to wear a kilt to the pub or out for a casual day roaming the hills. The outfits being presented here today are not the equivalent to swapping out a pair of jeans or shorts for a kilt and keeping the Old Navy polar fleece or t-shirt.

Some forums take the kilt to very liberal extremes and this one is taking it to a very conservative extreme. I'm personally, and I think most guys, are looking for the more moderate balance of kilts being worn as current fashion, not bringing historical fashion back.

[Panache]

“Gentlemen, progress has never been a bargain. You’ve got to pay for it. Sometimes I think there is a man behind the counter who says, ‘All right you can a have a telephone, but you have to give up privacy and the charm of distance. Mister you may conquer the skies but the birds will loose their wonder and the clouds will smell of gasoline”

Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee,

Inherit the Wind


Alan,

Since I have been here XMTS has changed.

There is a lotmore information available concerning traditional and contemporary kilts to had by looking up previous threads. Some subjects have become old hat because they have been so thoroughly addressed and it is easier to direct a new member to what has already been set down instead of re-inventing the wheel.

There has also been a maturation of the membership.

Compared to a few years back this place has become incredibly civil, with the "Mod Squad" seldom needing to step in and moderate compared to the old days. The members here really try their best to remain Ladies and Gentlemen and treat one another with a great deal of respect.

Those that couldn't hack it have been removed or left to find places that better suited them.

XMTS has grown to encompass Athletics, Music, Dance, and a wide array of Celtic related crafts.

These are all very positive things.

I think a lot of people are still very interested in modern / contemporary kilts.

Look at how many companies are out there making them.

Look at how many individuals are out there making them (in no small part to your efforts )

The downside to all this is that XMTS is a lot less unpredictable.

This is the price of civility and maturation.

You have to think twice about posting here. You have to think about other people's feelings. You have to learn to express yourself in a way that is appropriate to be read by families all around the world.

That's pretty sophisticated for a online forum in the generally anonymous world wide web.

I know that I can always come to XMTS and find the very best possible information about Kilts (modern and traditional) and Celtic related subjects from some very, very fine people.

We could just decide to allow guns, religion, sexuality, and politics to be open subjects.

But I would bet you that within a week that a good deal of the people that have a lot of quality information to share regarding what this forum is about would leave.

Of course it wouldn't be family friendly anymore so a lot of the people that take pride is sharing these interests with their children and spouses (like me) would be gone as well.


I have written it before and I shall write it again, XMTS is a great compromise.

The restrictions on subjects and the requirements that people show respect and courtesy to each other are no less than those one has in polite society.

XMTS continues to inspire people

XMTS continues to inform them

XMTS continues to make friendships that span the globe

Not to bad for an Internet forum.

Alan, I know my friend that you have been having a pretty rough time of it as of late and my thoughts go out to you and your family.

As Dee noted, this is a hard time for a lot of people.

XMTS has changed no doubt.

But it still a place that I am proud to be a member of and associated with.

Cheers

Jamie

[Colin]

I don't think the forum has changed in any one particular view point at all. I have been here since day 1 and have seen the forum and membership undergo many changes. To me the forum is just the place to gather. If anything has changed it is the membership and not the forum or the people that run it.

We have seen the more active members change constantly. People that posted here and dominated this forum and many others have either moved on or simply have less to say. New members have taken their place. People and topics evolve. We have around 10 times the sources for kilts (traditional, comtemporary, low budget entry kilts, etc) than we did when the forum started. More sources means that those that felt that a traditionally made kilt was out of reach have found that it is not $800-$100 (the standard posted price of new members ) and have been able to find that kilt via the membership here. The content of the site is driven and supplied by the membership. If there has been a change and it is not a welcome one, I suggest posting more about the topics that are of interest to yourself. People will take part. However I think saying the site has changed to a more traditionalist approach is a bit of a generalizing statement. We've all changed. Our tastes have changed and grown. The site content reflects that. Look at the companies that sponsor this site.

[Kilted in Maine]

I can't put my finger on it, but, for me, Xmarks isn't as much fun as it used to be.

I agree!

I obviously haven't been a member as long as most of you but lately have felt that same way.

Dee may have hit it on the head when he said

There are a lot of crappy things going on just now that are personally affecting a lot of people. I submit that we are crabby.

I still lurk quite often but haven't had much to say or offer.

Just yesterday I was greeted here with a banner asking me why I haven't posted in a while.

Well here I am posting.....