Expectations of the Kilted

[Jordan]

or "What do people really see?"

I have noticed and I’m sure other people have too that people don’t expect a kilt to be worn casually; it’s something I’ve noticed for a while now. Last night I wore this outfit to cadets,
A SWK heavy (Black Stewart), white t-shirt, boots, black hose, SWK cargo sporran and my green jacket. Normally I have a uniform which I would wear Shirt, Trousers, (highly polished) shoes, jumper, beret etc, which looks allot smarter than my usual attire. So I wasn’t expecting my O.C. to comment when I arrived last night that I looked very smart for a parade night.

Since this is a theory I have been working on for some time I tired some small experiments to see people’s reactions. I tried three outfits in the same place on the same day three weeks in a row in this instance the local golf club Wednesday evening.
Week one white shirt, green wool tie, black Trousers a few people asked why I was wearing a tie that about it no other comments.
Week two the same outfit except I swapped the Tie for a Bow tie (black) and nobody said a thing
Week three Black Stewart kilt, White t-shirt (with a picture of Mario on it) Red hose and boots and again I got comments on how smart I was looking and how the youth of today never make an effort etc

Personally I would think in this instance that I looked smarter the first two weeks because I was wearing my suit from work and all I changed was the tie.
I have come to the conclusion that people predominantly in Scotland (but I’m sure it applies to all people who see a kilt and know a bit about it) see the person in the kilt and it doesn’t matter what else they’re wearing see that person in the full PC outfit because that’s what they expect and it takes a few seconds for them to notice that I’m not usually by which time I’ve heard the “your looking very smart today!” comments.
So has anyone else experienced this when dressed anything other than formally I’m curious to hear your ideas and thoughts.

Jordan

[Macman]

I agree with you, Jordan. I've met a number of people over the years who seem to think that you're not wearing the kilt properly unless you look like a Scotty doll, a drum major in full dress or you're in full PC rig. Most people don't really have an opinion, but there are some with a preconceived notion that you've got to be fully dressed up to be wearing it right.

[Dale Seago]

A common casual ensemble for me here in San Francisco is a Stillwater kilt (Nightstalker sett) with kilt hose and slip-on (laceless) shoes; Stillwater ballistic nylon cargo sporran; open-neck shirt, no tie; a leather "bomber" style jacket (the shorter waist of this style, originally for seated wear in plane cockpits, works well with the kilt); and circa-1700 style dirk (which is unabashedly a weapon, not an "accessory").

Never fails to garner admiring comments, especially (though not exclusively) from women.

[Ancienne Alliance]

I think you look great, Jordan.


Best,

Robert

[Jock Scot]

I don't think you will be suprised, Jordan, that I have trouble with that look, but in normal circumstances I would never ever be so rude to say so. I most certainly could not avoid thinking it though.

[xman]

Much more than how others perceive my ensemble I am struck by the fact that if people are paying attention to me it is my actions that they will most likely remember and associate with my kilt rather than the cut of my shirt. I seem a little extra careful not to make a nuisance of myself publicly. That's not usually too hard since my pride is often swelling whilst kilted.

[Riverkilt]

Go for it! Push the envelope! Find the cutting edge of kilting!

[Jordan]

I think you look great, Jordan.


Best,

Robert

Thank you very much Robert, It was not so much how I looked more that I received the comment that I looked very smart for a parade night, The Monday previously I wore a t-shirt and jeans without anyone commenting.

I don't think you will be surprised, Jordan, that I have trouble with that look, but in normal circumstances I would never ever be so rude to say so. I most certainly could not avoid thinking it though.

Jock it does not surprise me and I take no offence. Feel free to nitpick any part of my outfit you please.

Go for it! Push the envelope! Find the cutting edge of kilting!

Nice shirt Ron, I have a red one similar to that which I wore out around about my birthday with my black Mocker There are photos somewhere but I don’t have any.

Jordan

[Inchessi]

I am a Brick/Stone Mason, before that I was a Fish Biologist. I work in grime, slim, dirt, mud and Safety Equipment. So when I wear a kilt, I treat it like a suit or even a uniform. I like to gussy up on my days off. The woman who controls my heart and purse strings likes it better. This time of year I tend to wear polo shirts, only because I do not enjoy hot weather. During the cooler months, I love to wear a tie and a jacket. I recently used "The F-H.C.A.G." To convert a jacket. Wait, I used her pattern to fail at sewing, then had a friend easily convert the jacket. I can build a house, and establish population density of a body of water, but I can't operate a pair of scissors.
That being said:




Are you Kilted? Are you comfortable? That's what is important.

[McClef]

A lot of it is because so many people only see people kilted formally at special events.

There are many ways of being casual and still co-ordinated and smart. Possibly some are surprised to see more leg when socks are scrunched down - but then they have probably never been on a Dumfries pub crawl!