Maybe I'm wrong, maybe the Kilt isn't 'just clothes'.

[Jock Scot]

Matt and others.

Honestly asked questions and honestly answered, both with courtesy, is likely to inform all with the ears and brain to listen and understand. Whilst agreement may not be possible, all who care to are armed with more understanding and respect than they had before.

So what have we achieved? Well the question that English Bloke originally asked has been comprehensively answered.

Yes indeed, to some the kilt is more than just clothing. And I think, many on this website may have been rather surprised by that. Which as far as I am concerned has proved useful.

[EagleJCS]

I apologize in advance for the looong post, but I’ll try to explain my take on why non-Scots (those of us not residing in/native to Scotland) in the U.S. wear the kilt. I’ll be painting with a (very) broad brush in some cases, and doing some speculation, so please bear with me.

Being one of the "mutts" that Fr. Bill mentioned (I’m Irish-English-German-Luxembourger-and probably a couple of others), I don't have any first- (or even second-) generation immigrant ancestors. The most recent immigrant in my tree was my g-gm, arriving in 1903. Most of my family on both sides has been in the U.S. since before 1900 (and several lines since before 1850).

When I was growing up, my parents actually knew very little about their family origins (beyond family stories, a couple of which have since been proven false) before I started digging on my own. Dad still doesn’t really understand why I want to learn more because it was ingrained in him to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ and not ask a lot of questions (we now know why, but that’s another story). I'm the first (and only one so far) in my family - in probably several generations - to wear the kilt, and I haven't found a direct connection to Scotland (beyond my family name) to really know if my ancestors even might have. I didn’t even think about getting one of my own until I visited a Highland Games (in connection with my piping lessons) and found that there is a Clan Scott (and Clan Scott Society), and they were willing to accept me as a member, even though I didn’t know if I had a connection to Scotland – just on the fact that I bear the name. (That might be just a C.S. Society thing for increasing membership, but it’s encouraging to think that the actual Clan Scott – the one in Scotland, whose Chief is the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry - would possibly also be as welcoming to one of the long-since-departed diaspora.)

The United States has, for most of its history, been a place where people who wanted to get along, if not get ahead, quickly assimilated into the areas they settled. In doing so, they would drop their native tongue or accent (as best they could) and learn English (or learn to pronounce it in the local style), drop their ethnic clothing and wear the predominant local clothing, and drop their ethnic customs - or at least tone them down and/or celebrate them in private. Even today, there is a strong expectation in many communities to assimilate and follow the local norms, whatever those happen to be.

There was another thread a while back where the question of a ‘uniquely American’ (I take that as a reference to the U.S.) style of clothing came up. We couldn’t really agree then as to what that might be, because the U.S. has grown in stages and the predominant form of ‘uniquely American’ clothing has changed.

It's only been in recent years - probably since the passing of the Civil Rights Act - that wearing ethnic clothing (the kilt, the sari, the lava-lava, and whatever else) has become more socially acceptable. Still unusual outside large urban areas, and sometimes seen as costume/caricature, and/or festival attire in some cases, but not legally a bar to employment or service in restaurants, etc. My grandfather once told me he could remember seeing signs as a boy that said "No Irish" in restaurant and shop windows, and that was in the 1920’s and 30's! (His mother was Irish, which is probably why he took note of it.) There are still folks ‘of a certain age’ that show some bias against certain ethnic origins.

Also, a lot of people (like me) are doing more genealogical research and finding things out about their families that were obscured or forgotten in the push to assimilate, or simply dropped in the need to eke out a living. Those folks then ‘resurrect’ the clothing and traditions of the cultures “left behind”, possibly in an effort to (re-)connect with something they feel may be missing in their lives. There are probably a lot of sociological/psychological studies that have been or are being done to figure out why people are doing these things.

In any case, that’s why I wear the kilt: as a celebration of my (presumed, at this point) ethnic heritage. I choose to wear it in connection with days that are recognized in the U.S. to have significance in Scotland or with Scottish heritage (Tartan Day – Apr 6, St. Andrews Day, and to Highland Games and other Scottish heritage events) and I try to wear it with respect for the heritage and culture it represents.

[The Thirsty Viking]

-Snip-

How many third, fourth, or fifth generation descendants of Scottish immigrants grew up wearing the kilt, because their dad did it, and their grand-dad, and their great grand-dad?

-Snip-

And Jock, no one is upset with you about giving your opinion. We are just offering ours back!

Matt pretty much nailed this on the head for me. I was put in a kilt pretty quickly after birth, and just kinda grew up in them. Now I wear them for heritage, as well as it's what I am used to. I also try and blend it in with more American traditions like T-shirts, and my motorcycle jacket. I am a proud American, and I make no bones about that. My Grandfather is a Scot and an American. He moved here at 13, became a citizen, and even served in the US Navy. He fully embraced a lot of "Americana" when he moved, such as hot rods, rock n roll music, and that man loves him a good cheeseburger, but he never forgot where he came from.

Jock- I really respect your opinions on the subject, and I can relate to how you or other natural-born Scots feel about the kilt, as I feel that way about certain other articles of Clothing, symbols, etc. I do not know exactly what it means to be a Scot, nor would I ever claim to. I am an American, and part of that is utilizing my freedoms to express my heritage, and integrate it into my own personal idiom, while still paying homage to it's roots and dignity.

[Calico]

I just want to thank Jock Scot for being Jock Scot, and for being on this board with all he has to put up with!

Jock, thank you.

Now, to undo any good that may have done, I'm still going to wear a kilt. I'm not Scottish and I'm not pretending to be. If my clothing appears to represent Scottish culture, it is in the eye of the beholder more than by my intent. Full apologies to anyone I offend.

[The Wizard of BC]

I too had an experience similar to English Bloke and would like to re-tell it here.

Unlike English Bloke however my experience happened in Scotland. Some of you may remember that my wife and I made a trip two years ago to visit with our suppliers and other kiltmakers.

Now, a bit of background....I am not Scottish, I'm an American who now lives in Canada. I have almost no experience with Scots culture in Scotland.

I decided to wear Kilts on my trip. I made this decision based only on the fact that I am a kiltmaker and have worn the kilt almost exclusively and daily for about a decade now.
I also dress quite conservatively. I do not wear t-shirts or ball caps or sandals with my kilts. Personal preference and nothing more.

You have all seen pics of how I dress. When in Scotland I dressed much like this;



With the exception of members of this forum, and those attending the Hawich Highland Games, I met only one other person in a kilt.

Howie Nicklesby of 21st Century Kilts.



Over all the years of my wearing a kilt I have gotten all sorts of comments and reactions. And quite frankly the most rude and condescending comments I have ever received were from native Scots in Scotland.
In one of the most respected kilt shops in Edinburgh I was immediately greeted with "Oh, I see another American has come to Scotland and bought himself a kilt." This was delivered in the most snooty and stuck up attitude I have ever encountered. I was greeted more friendly in the Pakistani shop right next door.

At breakfast one morning at our B&B in Stirling I was greeted with the comment, "Ah, another tourist playing at being a Scot."

From the other visitors, I was greeted with smiles and requests to have my photo taken. The standard statement from Japanese, Italians, Germans, Americans, White, Black, Yellow and every other color, went along the lines of "We came to Scotland to see men in kilts. You are the only Scotsman we have seen in one. Can we have our picture taken with you?" Imagine the shock when I opened my mouth and my American accent came out.

From the native Scots, over and over, I noticed (when they thought I didn't see them) snickering, and them hiding their laughter behind their hand. I got tired of saying over and over, "No, I wear the kilt everyday, I'm a kiltmaker."

It was refreshing, and ironic, to return home and be met with smiles and comments about how respectful of Scottish heritage I was in my kilt.



The great thing about this forum, is that here, we accept anyone who chooses to wear the kilt. We do not judge the why behind their decision, we do not scorn them for doing so.
We all come here to share our love of this garment. Here, we say "If you wear the kilt you are my brother".

[The Thirsty Viking]

Thats really unfortunate, BC.

The Girlfriend and I have talked about taking a trip to Scotland for our honeymoon (Whenever that might be), and she was very excited about me wearing my kilts in their "native Land", so to speak.

After reading this thread, I find myself rethinking that thought.

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

Thats really unfortunate, BC.

The Girlfriend and I have talked about taking a trip to Scotland for our honeymoon (Whenever that might be), and she was very excited about me wearing my kilts in their "native Land", so to speak.

After reading this thread, I find myself rethinking that thought.

My .02 worth. I did not take my kilt when I went to Scotland in celebration of my 25th wedding anniversary (2004) but I did take various pieces of tartan wear (tie, cummerbund, sashes for the wife, etc). Happily, I did not run into the attitudes BC did so maybe if it wasn't a "kilt", I, as a tourist, could get away with it - so to speak.

A friend of mine followed my example, sort of, and spent his honeymoon in Scotland. Since he is a piper, he took his pipes and full kit with him. He too did not run into any problems, even though he wore his full kilt outfit as much as possible. Maybe it was the honeymoon status -- or maybe he just "looked" like a piper (costume-ish?)...making it more acceptable.

If 'twere me, I'd definitely take the kilt and wear it -- if only for that one photo-op .

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

Just look at the posts supporting the fact that culture lives and survives far beyond national borders. I've often felt that nationalism divides,but culture is something living and warm to treasure AND share.

This forum is great,for the Jockscots and others who can put up views that educate and motivate!

Obviously,in scotland the kilt is in vast majority a special occasion and meaning item,not worn everyday.And i, as one with strong scottish influence in my family, have seen it this way.But TheEnglish bloke's post got me thinking of why this is so.Yesterday,well before i had read the now famouse "why are you playing at being scots" post, i rang family and freinds in scotland to ask them.

On mentioning the fact that many,particularly in america,are wearing the kilt as an everyday item,the reaction was laughter,bewilderment and a little derision from all of them.They went as far as to say that often when the kilt is worn with no apparent commonly recognized special reason for it ,then it's usually assumed in scotland that the person is a tourist.I then asked them why they think it is that it's no longer worn more commonly for everyday use.

After the usuall responses of "it's more of a tradition now,it's not commonly worn any more and that's just the way it is" including the one "it's not practicle", it interstingly boiled down to"well,we guess it's not actually that impracticle in many ways.In fact in certain applications it is very practicle".

The conclusion was that there is no firm reason at all why it is not worn more commonly,only that it's just not the way it is done at the present in scotland.These responses came from a cross section from west central scotland,angus and the isle of skye.

In the past,in parts of scotland,it was worn every day,by everyday people.When the ruling classes clash,(see jacobite rebellions) it's the common folk who suffer the most.After the 45 many things were forcibly removed from them by the glorious brittish government,one of them being the freedom to wear the kilt and belted plaid as everyday wear.Now it's worn at an iconic level,far removed from the practicle and much used item it once was.Culturaly,it was once everyday wear.

Now it is confined by many to special occasions with cultural flavours.As we have seen in this thread,there are those in scotland,much respected for their knowledge in the correct current scottish manner of wearing the kilt,that want to take culture right out of it.They want to narrow it down to a national,'passport holders only' pidgeon hole of narrow mindedness.

Simplify all of this and just focus on the kilt.It looks graet,feels great to wear,folk with no heritage or cultural links to it at all love it,many women love to see a man in it.Maybe some scots and their descendants have(me included)have got bogged down in the complexities.

Could it be that men like TheEnglishbloke,Irishjack,Nighthawk,GG from denmark,ThirstyViking and others like them,along with ones like Chrisupyonder in scotland,are the ones with the clearest,boldest vision of all of us.

I'm beginning to see that men like these are giving the kilt the biggest sign of respect,and giving it the the most practicle demonstration of recognizing what it REALLY is.

By WEARING it.

We may yet see men like these as members of a new age,an age where the kilt is reclaimed by common people as something for everyday use.Stay strong Englishbloke and others like you.Continue to let the kilt,as a great,practicle,comfortable garment,live!

[Father Bill]

Our new friend AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH gives me hope and perspective! Thank you! I was beginning to feel that perhaps I had made a mistake, and was feeling rather depressed over the whole thing.

Well done, and thank you my friend. I shall still be very careful... and respectful... and traditional, but I won't put my new acquisition up for sale.

[Cherub]

CDNSushie.

I hear and respect what you say and indeed as Canada is a member of the Commonwealth it is relevent. However maybe it is time for the rest of the world(they are beginning to) to wear their own tartans and not Scottish ones. If you care to delve back into my old threads I did bring this point up in "Ponderings of an ancient Scot".

On the matter of cars I see Honda as Japanese, Jeep as American, Porche as German, Bentley as British.

as a Jewish Canadian I'd like to point out that Egyptians wore a kilt like garment long before the Scottish. But I generally wear solid colours but will be getting a ancient Morrison to honor my wives grandmother and a maple-leaf to honor my Canadian birth and a clergy to represent that my tribe were keepers of the temple. Eventually I'd like to get an x-marks tartan but if far into the future.

this is not to disparage the kilt as a cultural dress of Scotland only my own views and since Canada embraces multiculturalism.