The Royal Mile

[Lyle1]

I can't help but agree with you, particularly the way the kilt is, too often, worn in such a sloppy way by some people. It REALLY upsets me to see the kilt worn like(most of) those in the pictures of Edinburghkiltie's.

I know there are those that say; "the kilt is only a piece of clothing", or,"its my kilt and I will wear it how I like",or "What has it got to do with you?" No doubt there are also umpteen other perfectly valid replies to justify how and why they are wearing the kilt so badly and of course they are right,.............from their point of view.

BUT they forget one thing! They just look damn stupid and, for what it is worth , that is my opinion.

Edinburghkiltie, I am not getting at you sir. You are only showing us what you see.

Sorry, Jock, but I think the young men in the photographs looked fine in their kilts, and they certainly don't look stupid! The posted photos show young men looking quite comfortable wearing kilts, and I did not see anything that I thought degraded the kilt. What I saw was another generation of men taking the kilt as part of their chosen lifestyle. They are young, and their lifestyle is very different from ours, much as mine was very different from my father's and my fathers was very different from his father's... Better that young men wear kilts in a manner that works in their style of living than that they not wear them at all.

[Jock Scot]

Sorry, Jock, but I think the young men in the photographs looked fine in their kilts, and they certainly don't look stupid! The posted photos show young men looking quite comfortable wearing kilts, and I did not see anything that I thought degraded the kilt. What I saw was another generation of men taking the kilt as part of their chosen lifestyle. They are young, and their lifestyle is very different from ours, much as mine was very different from my father's and my fathers was very different from his father's... Better that young men wear kilts in a manner that works in their style of living than that they not wear them at all.

Of course it is a matter of opinion and I hope that I have made that crystal clear. For me, I would much rather that anyone of whatever age would wear anything, I repeat, anything, other than the kilt, if they are going to wear them(the kilt) like most of those in the pictures in question.

[Bugbear]

Of course it is a matter of opinion and I hope that I have made that crystal clear. For me, I would much rather that anyone of whatever age would wear anything, I repeat, anything, other than the kilt, if they are going to wear them(the kilt) like most of those in the pictures in question.

I suddenly have a feeling of panic in the back of my mind, not being able to look at the picture. What's going on here?

[creagdhubh]

I can't help but agree with you, particularly the way the kilt is, too often, worn in such a sloppy way by some people. It REALLY upsets me to see the kilt worn like(most of) those in the pictures of Edinburghkiltie's.

I know there are those that say; "the kilt is only a piece of clothing", or,"its my kilt and I will wear it how I like",or "What has it got to do with you?" No doubt there are also umpteen other perfectly valid replies to justify how and why they are wearing the kilt so badly and of course they are right,.............from their point of view.

BUT they forget one thing! They just look damn stupid and, for what it is worth , that is my opinion.

Edinburghkiltie, I am not getting at you sir. You are only showing us what you see.

I agree with you Jock Scot! Well said old chap!

[creagdhubh]

Of course it is a matter of opinion and I hope that I have made that crystal clear. For me, I would much rather that anyone of whatever age would wear anything, I repeat, anything, other than the kilt, if they are going to wear them(the kilt) like most of those in the pictures in question.

You remind me of my grandfather, Lewis H. Macpherson Sr., Jock Scot, and I sincerely mean that in the kindest and most respectful way possible. He, as do I, share the exact same sentiments as yourself. It's a good feeling that someone else out there, and there are many others of note, regard the kilt and Highland attire in general, as the finest national dress in the world (and should be preserved as such), full of old-school traditions and values that should not be ignored or forgotten-most certainly by lads wearing it in an inappropriate manner and fashion. I assume that they were never taught, or simply don't care too much about it. More than likely the latter takes precedence. Thanks for being who you are Jock.

Kindest regards and slainte,

[creagdhubh]

Sorry, Jock, but I think the young men in the photographs looked fine in their kilts, and they certainly don't look stupid! The posted photos show young men looking quite comfortable wearing kilts, and I did not see anything that I thought degraded the kilt. What I saw was another generation of men taking the kilt as part of their chosen lifestyle. They are young, and their lifestyle is very different from ours, much as mine was very different from my father's and my fathers was very different from his father's... Better that young men wear kilts in a manner that works in their style of living than that they not wear them at all.

Agreed to a certain extent. It's nice to see young lads wearing the kilt, but they should do the unique attire honor and wear it correctly. I am 28 years old, have been wearing the kilt since I was a wee boy at the age of 6. I was fortunate enough to have been taught how to wear Highland attire correctly, yet still given room to move around a bit and incorporate my own sense of style, flair, and fashion. I know my boundaries, and in my opinion, what those lads are wearing in the photos in Edinburgh, is outside of my personal boundaries, but again, that's entirely my opinion and I am by no means attempting to tell anyone how they should wear their Highland attire. Just know this, there does exist a proper manner of wearing it. There are many lads out there, both in the States and abroad, that know the proper way of wearing tradtional Highland dress. In terms of Highland attire, I respect these men and the time honored, old-world traditions that they are passing down to younger generations of kilt enthusiasts, and equally important, Scots of Highland origins. I respect them, because my grandfather and father have done the same thing for me, and I shall pass these traditions down to my wee bairns once they arrive in this beautiful world. You can't pass down a kilt worn with a football or a rugby jersey; you can't pass down a kilt worn too low with boots and grubby looking kilt hose; you can't pass down a kilt that its wearer really has no pride in wearing, which is indeed a subjective statement I realize.

My point is, Highland dress, more specifically its focal point, the kilt, is a living, breathing, tangible object that evokes such a high degree of passion, emotion, and pride. It is a very rare thing, and quite a surreal thing, to hold a kilt in your hands that is over 100 years old, and that has been passed down to you by your grandfather, and was given to him by his father. Not many chaps can speak of this, Jock most certainly can, and I know that there are others. It is a very special moment; undescribeable. Highland dress should be worn with pride and enthusiasm, but also should be worn correctly. That's my opinion with regards to the matter, take it as you will.

Slainte,

[xman]

You can't pass down a kilt worn with a football or a rugby jersey; you can't pass down a kilt worn too low with boots and grubby looking kilt hose; you can't pass down a kilt that its wearer really has no pride in wearing, which is indeed a subjective statement I realize.

With respect, I call balderdash on you sir. It is as easy for a misused kilt to be passed down and raised up by a respecting recipient as it would be for a cherished heirloom to be eventually abused.

It is a very rare thing, and quite a surreal thing, to hold a kilt in your hands that is over 100 years old, and that has been passed down to you by your grandfather, and was given to him by his father.

Anyone worth their salt would see such an item for its true value and never wear it lightly. I know if I had such a kilt it would only ever see dress occasions.

Just as the kilt was worn daily by all ranks in all manner of ways before proscription, so now do we lose at least some adherence to Victorian (dare I call it) dogma. What is, I think, important is that the wearer have pride in himself and wear his kilt with pride. Just ask a highland games athlete.

That's my opinion and I guess, like an anus, it stinks as much as anybody else's.

[Brian K]

I suddenly have a feeling of panic in the back of my mind, not being able to look at the picture. What's going on here?

Ted - see post #65 on page 7. That should bring you into the light a bit.

[Downunder Kilt]

Kyle, if I may call you by your first name, you seem to make some very sweeping statements regarding kilts that have been handed down that have been mistreated, in your opinion, that they are not worthy of being treasured.
You give one example, without exception, of kilts being worn with boots and grubby hose or with rugby football tops. I would hazzard a guess that many service men died in their kilts with grubby socks and wearing boots and may not have been exactly dressed to your exacting standards. Personally I would not care how they were worn if one of those kilts came into my possession.

I agree with you that it is good to have a high standard of kilt dress and I too have shaken my head at some of the attire I have seen with a kilt. I commend you on your standards, but please no more sweeping statements on what should be treasured and what should not be.

[Bugbear]

Ted - see post #65 on page 7. That should bring you into the light a bit.

Eyes don't work too well, Brian...

Don't worry about it; I think I should have stayed out of this thread.