Why should I wear a kilt?

[QMcK]

Sorry.

And I don't need to wear a kilt to be true to myself.

[ThistleDown]

If you are still out there, KiltNewbie, I have a question or two for you: have you come to us with your singular question because you need convincing? Have you any interest at all in Highland dress -- for you? Our Wizard believes you are sincere and credible: are you? I'm sorry if that sounds confrontational, but some of us -- if not most -- have the distinct impression that you have stirred a broth and may now be watching while we sup from the murky bowl. Please step up and create assurance where little now exists.

[Everett]

I understand why you ask him if he has any interest in the kilt,and highland dress. And as to whether he asks because he is serious about wearing the kilt or just trying to cause trouble. He is stirring some stuff up. What I don't understand is that you ask him to stand Up and give US assurance as if we need it. It also surprises me that so many of our rabble here are not aware of the fact that people normally don't like the kilt, and that most women are not the least bit attracted to A man in one. But the few who do like it are the ones with whom we develop friendships and relationships. Had we not worn the kilt we perhaps would never have met such great people. The thing about this community is that it revolves around something so "weird" as the kilt. It is only natural for such a group to face this kind of antagonism. And it is natural for some to become disscouraged Nand need a little reassurance. But don't look to him for reassurance as to "why wear the kilt". Ask one of your kilted commrades, and we will not deny it. This is the difference between community and a "scene".

[CDNSushi]

[...] the fact that people normally don't like the kilt, and that most women are not the least bit attracted to A man in one.

Wow! So we now have a statistician from the U.S. Census Bureau on the forum! Nice. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now, perhaps you could cite me the volume from which you pulled those facts... But until you do, I'm going to have to assume that they represent only one man's opinion: yours. I would not be so presumptuous as to come onto a kilt forum and start saying that most people don't like it, and especially not women.

But being new, I can understand the confusion. Either that, or your troll-fu is weak.

But don't look to him for reassurance as to "why wear the kilt".

Hmm, I think we may be reading different threads here. I don't see anyone looking to the new guy for reassurance as to "why wear the kilt"... All I see are people giving their reasons for for wearing kilts. How does that constitute "asking for reassurance" exactly? (Especially since many have already spoken out and said that they don't NEED a reason), including me.

I think the mod team will not be long in shutting this puppy down anyway. The original poster has not come back since the second page or so, and as such, there's little reason to continue on this topic. Most of us who are members here on XMTS know pretty darned well why we wear a kilt, and we are confident enough in our sexuality and ability to deal with people in general and women in specific that anything more added will just be repetitious or inflammatory. As it is, this thread is just getting increasingly moot by the minute.

[Bugbear]

"troll-fu?"

[MacKay71]

Kilt newbe only posted for an hour on the first day! Big time moot!

[SoulFyre777]

If you are still out there, KiltNewbie, I have a question or two for you: have you come to us with your singular question because you need convincing? Have you any interest at all in Highland dress -- for you? Our Wizard believes you are sincere and credible: are you? I'm sorry if that sounds confrontational, but some of us -- if not most -- have the distinct impression that you have stirred a broth and may now be watching while we sup from the murky bowl. Please step up and create assurance where little now exists.

Agreed! I'd love to see KiltedNewbie get involved here, challenge Hamish in a kilt ownership duel, design a couple of amazing tartans and teach Barb T. a thing or two (good luck on getting the THAT level! lol), but as times goes by and he fails to make a return, I'm beginning to feel the same sentiments as you, ThistleDown.

... It also surprises me that so many of our rabble here are not aware of the fact that people normally don't like the kilt, and that most women are not the least bit attracted to A man in one. But the few who do like it are the ones with whom we develop friendships and relationships ...

I think it's this phrase that's ruffling feathers BUT I also think I get what you're saying and agree. I believe what you are talking about is not so much a specific 'dislike' but more of a feeling of being put-off or uncomfortable and often those feelings will manifest themselves as 'dislike'. Now I'm not so disillusioned as to believe that EVERYONE likes that kilt but I think 9 times out of 10, the feeling that you are talking about can be summed up closer to a person feeling quite uncomfortable around something they are not used to.

Then again, it's early and I'm only three sips into my coffee....

Mornings = :buttkick:

[Kilted Man]

Heritage plays a role, it's a way to connect to your past culture, to your relatives from the past who lived in your country of origin. It' a way of saying that the past is important and not to be forgotten, and also a way to past that heritage on to the next generation. Also the kilt gives men a freedom from traditional American dress. It is very comfortable to wear and freeing. It also a way to say it's ok to wear something different and most people in public are fine with it. So try a kilt for yourself and let us know what you think.

[auld argonian]

I'm going to have to defend our new "statistician", Everett, not so much that there's some kind of majority of people who don't look at the kilt positively but that there is, at least, a significant enough number of people who are, for whatever reason, uncomfortable around a kilted individual and that we have to take it into consideration in terms of both our behavour in society and our own feelings about our "kilted-ness".

And I'm sure that Everett is not representing himself as the Head Of The Census but rather expressing his opinions based on his observation of how those around him react and that's a big part of what we do here at Xmarks: act as a sounding board and a support group.

In my experience, how people hereabouts react to you kilted has a lot to do who you are. If you are an older, venerable looking type like Hamish, you are treated one way and if you're a younger, hip-looking, iconoclastic type you are going to get treated differently. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to any of us. It's one thing to be a kilted guy among a thousand other kilted guys at a Highland Games and quite another to be the only. lone, solitary formally kilted dude at a big formal event. I've been that solitary kiltie at the formal and you'd be surprised how many people who were well educated and fancied themselves so very, very cosmopolitan were provocative and rude to me about my choice of wardrobe.

You also have to accept the fact that if you wear your kilt into a "Celtic Pub" type of joint you're going to get one kind of reaction but if you wear it into some other "ethnic" shot and a beer joint, you'd better be the biggest guy in the joint if all you want is a shot and a beer.

But that's all part of the deal, isn't it.

Why get kilted? I dunno...I love it...I got my first just to see what it was like and it just felt like one of those "right things to do" so I rolled with it. If anything, my process might have been more like: This is SO cool...it looks great...why shouldn't I incorporate it into my wardrobe? Criticism? Who has the right to tell me what I can and can't wear?

I understand Jock Scot's perspective about the difference between wearing the kilt in the Old Country versus wearing one here in the New World. It is the exception hereabouts and is treated very differently. I'd love to see Jock come over for a visit and see how the whole thing goes...it'd be an interesting experiment and I'd love to hear his comments.

Best

AA

[Jock Scot]

That is a kind thought----I think----AA! I can only wonder whether the New World is ready for Old Jock? On the other hand. Is Old Jock ready for the New World? One day perhaps, I will blow the dust off a suitcase and pop accross and see you all. We shall have to see.