Quote Originally Posted by SmokinScotsman View Post
I guess this is exactly my point. Why when new to the kilt people show up here are they not given more advice like this? Or why not steer them toward "American"/utility/non dressy kilts? If given this advice they could buy one article of clothing and nothing else.
I know personally in the 7 yrs I have only worn a kilt semi/formal 3 times. Most of us are not going to be attending balls and the like. I wear tshirts and boots with my kilts 99.9% of the time. Why does it feel like forced "traditionalism" and formality? If we really want to see the kilt worn as "normal" clothing we have to quite telling people that you have to wear, for example, a jacket(PC or argyle only)..vest..hose(better be diced, not white)..black knife(made of ebony or stag horn)..ghillie brogues..special hat(tam or any other type that no one has seen in fashion for a century). That is the whole reason UK has become known, they aren't pretentious.
Sorry, SmokinScotsman, but your original post didn't mention enforced traditionalism or being overly precious or formal at all... which is why nobody has addressed it.

Again, why WOULD you advise someone who ISN'T sure that they're going to like wearing a kilt to buy $$$$$$$$$. You wouldn't have a first time driver buy a Bentley.

Nobody here is trying to steer people away from 'good' kilts. PV is usually recommended for starters as they are more affordable, and can look VERY nice.

As for recommending a modern MUG over a traditional tartan kilt, my guess is that it's partly because you can get a VERY well made PV tartan kilt for about the same cost as a Utilikilt. Again, which is more useful? An 8yd PV that can be dressed up, or a MUG, which is basically blue jeans.

To the point of forced traditionalism... sure some traditional kilt wearers here tend to steer people that way. However, there are plenty who wear polo shirts, scrunched hose and boots (or sandals), and no bonnet AT ALL
As you said, a kilt can be dressed up or down.

I also think you'll RARELY find folks here on this board TELLING others that they NEED to wear a jacket (especially a PC), or that a waistcoat, or ghille brogues need to be worn. Please note that there IS a forum for TRADITIONAL HIGHLAND WEAR where this does occur, as people are asking for this sort of advise (but it still rarely involves the PC or Ghillies).

I don't know how long you 'lurked around' before becoming a member, but I can see you've only got 10 posts (two of which are in this topic). You might just want to explore the forum a while longer before condemning
everyone with the label "cheap kilt advising, PC and ghillie brogue wearing-fancy-pants".

I think the longer you're here, the less you'll probably find that label to be true