Sportkilt semi-formal?

[Tobus]

I take Issue with This. Not all of us want to wear or can afford a $400.00 hand made kilt and not every one wants heavy wool. Some of us actually like the kilts made by Sport kilt. I think their Ultimate kilt Looks really nice I agree They are not as fancy, heavy or as expensive as wool kilts. I say some of the Sport kilts look great and people should not be judged for wearing them. I have three of them and I love them. You can not buy a custom made kilt anywhere else for under 200 dollars, not to mention if you like pockets or need a shorter length. I say Sport Kilts are great for athletes, wearing around home AND formal wear.

I don't own a Sportkilt, but I was in agreement with you all the way until your last two words. They are great for what they are... but what they are was never intended to be formal. They simply aren't constructed in the kind of manner that a formal kilt should be.

I mean, you're essentially taking the stance that "a kilt is a kilt", which is like saying "trousers are trousers". Well, you wouldn't wear pajama bottoms with a suit and tie, would you? Even though they are trousers of a sort, and generally resemble suit pants because they have two legs, they just don't make the grade for being worn in that context. Sport kilts are the same way. Wearing them in any sort of formal context is a bit of an injustice to formality itself.

But again, I think you're spot-on that Sportkilts can certainly be a good option for people who want a lighter, less expensive kilt that they aren't afraid to get dirty. I just don't think they are appropriate for dressing up, unless it's for a crowd who knows absolutely nothing of kilts or Scottish dress. And at that point, it's still inappropriate but one can fake his way through it.

[Macman]

Wearing them in any sort of formal context is a bit of an injustice to formality itself.

Sorry to take your quote out of context, Tobus, but I think this it the nub of it for me.
I own a Sportkilt and I love it for what I use it for.
But, I can't imagine getting all the trappings of a formal outfit, and then putting a Sportkilt under them. If you're going to dress formally, then I think there's a standard that you've got to meet.

[EagleHazen]

I have faked my way through 3 seperate formal occasions, as well as many churchgoings, and daily errands with my sport kilts, with nothing but good things said.
If I. Could afford a tank, I would have gone in that direction, but at least I had a tartan kilt to wear.

[Tobus]

I have faked my way through 3 seperate formal occasions, as well as many churchgoings, and daily errands with my sport kilts, with nothing but good things said.
If I. Could afford a tank, I would have gone in that direction, but at least I had a tartan kilt to wear.

That's understandable. Not everybody can afford a tank and all the 'proper' accoutrements that would go along with it (Argyll jacket, waistcoat, etc., etc.). In cases like that, I agree that it's better than nothing if you can get away with it. And you obviously have. Ya gotta wear what ya can afford, and even traditional Scots understand that! They wrote the book on it!

But this doesn't mean that it is a true alternative to a proper kilt for dressing up, as originally stated by the person the OP quoted.