Kilts and guts...

[Graham]

You all knøw my pøsition but I do want to say that you are right Blu, abøut the cultural shielding, its true that in a conservative area (like most of the western wørld) it does take more guts to wear plain with confidence.

Hamish gave me a copy of the 21st Century kilt brochure, first it reminded me of what I missed while in the støre, then I was amazed at some of the kilts I wouldnt be caught dead in, but there were a few that I thought I cøuld wear if I were younger. I also had to applaud their attempt to bring about evolution in kilts.

....but my preference remains mostly traditional, although a plain from RKilts succeeded in getting me a bit away from tartan.

[Archangel]

Me, I guess, I'm traditional. That's the image in my mind. Dreadbelly summed up my feelings on moderns in his post. I don't like the cut of most of them. However, I do sort of like the fit of my sportkilt so there must be something that I would feel better wearing outside. My compromise is that I don't feel it necessary to wear the rest of the accoutrements. The kilt is a strong enough statement by itself. I also feel that a sporran is an essential part but the traditional style simply doesn't cut it in real life. That, I'm taking care of this weekend.

[Galant]

Not having celtic heritage at all, I got into this world of kilting for the comfort and health, and the style. I just thought - hey, why the heck not! As it is I wear both - I have two UK's and a 'tank'. I get different responses from different people. The older generations give their respect to my trad, pondering the UK's, whilst the younger generations often accuse me of wearing a skirt when in my trad (sometimes a girl will chime in "Nice skirt! I have one of those!") but get curiousity and some acclaim when in my UK.

Whatever the case, I enjoy wearing them. I realise this is a kilts only forum, but if I'm being honest and accurate, what sold me into the genre was the fact that guys have worn MUG's for a long time, some still do - and now I have more options. I'd never wear anything that looked like a female skirt, maybe one day something other than the kilt though. For now, I love the kilt, and I expect I always will.

[Lee]

I now have 7 kilts. I started with 5 traditional kilts, and have recently added 2 modern (Rkilts and FreedomKilts). I enjoy wearing both 'styles'.

The modern kilts are, of course, quite different garments from the traditionals.
Some have commented that they are more 'skirtish', and I have thought that, at times. But they are fun and comfortable to wear.

Lee

[Christopher]

Both of my kilts are traditionals. I just don't think I could get myself to purchase a modern. I did buy a SK heavy weight about 3-months ago but sold it almost immediately becasue I didn't care for the hang or swing of it. I find that I eally do prefer a 13-oz or 16-oz worsted wool garment. I think if I every did decide to venture into the modern side of things, it would be with a standard black or kahki UK.

[Ziggs]

Well, I wear a both a more traditional kilt and a Philabeg. I would most definately wear a contemporary kilt. Being younger and of the punk generation, it just works with my kind of fashion sense. It's rough and tough, but still works with the kilt mentality. Personally, when I finally get a contemporary kilt, it's going to be jungle camo from Freedom Kilts.

[mkmound]

. . .
I LIKE the pockets on the contemporary kilts...I do a lot of sitting at work and sporrans seem sort of in the way for that.

Ron

I also do a lot of sitting at work, and I find it more comfortable to shift the sporran to the side to rest on top of one thigh instead of in the middle. I usually do that while driving also.


On the topic of Blu's question -- interesting topic -- I have mostly tended to dress with a more traditional, "classics" approach, e.g., khakis and a button-down or polo shirt when we shifted to business casual at work several years ago, vs. trendier and more stylish options. A major reason was that I've never really had the disposable income to buy the newer fashions each year, and the "classics" last for several seasons. My two traditional kilts fit easily into this look, with the shirts and shoes I already had.

On the other hand, there's something about the comtemporary designs that strikes a chord. I was fascinated when I first saw the Utilikilts back when Steven first started selling them on eBay, hoping that it was a look that would last and take off . . .

I had a chance to travel to Seattle on business in 2002, so I stopped by the store and picked up a black Original. Having mostly traditional shirts, shoes, etc., it didn't "feel" like the right combination. I've since picked up some items to combine with the UK, but don't wear it often, as I still don't feel like I've quite found the right combination to make it work for me. Obviously, I need a fashion advisor to assist. ;)

I wear one of my traditionals to work about once a week, usually on "casual Friday" (I figured that the Scots probably do casual Friday also, so that's my story . . . ). A week or two ago, one of my co-workers who is pretty fashionable said that to her the wool tartans look wintery and hot, especially for Dallas. She said I needed something in a khaki -- I thought that that was a very interesting comment!! (I mentioned that my kilt that day was PV, and very cool and comfortable.) I showed her one of the khaki or tan UKs and she responded favorably to that, so I may venture farther afield . . .

I am also very interested in the solid colors. I am looking at the Stillwater black heavyweight, which if I understand comments here and looking at the pictures on the site, is a black-on-black "tartan" weave, which I like a lot.


Regards,
Mark

[Streetcar]

It was the Utilikilt that got me started. I had only seen traditional styles when coupled with ghille's, jacobite shirts, etc. It seemed more of a "costume" to me.

When I first saw Utilikilts, I saw how the whole thing could be day-to-day.

Now I see more and more of both types. This last weekend I was at the local Highland Games. I saw more "modern" kilts there than I've ever seen in the past...but I found myself longing for a traditional kilt.

I spoke with someone from Seattle Kilts (an importer). She said that many in her business consider the Utilikilt a "training kilt," something to break the ice for kilts.

So while I always thought I would only wear a modern kilt, I've decided I'll also get a Tartan.

[Blu (Ontario)]

I own an R-Kilt and have worn it shopping etc. numerous times. The first couple of times it took a wee bit more chutzpah on my part to venture forth. (Sadly it is now too small for me.) While the R-Kilt experience was generally positive, I think it did stir up a few more puzzled faces - to be expected I guess. Mostly though, I have stayed with the traditionals. Partly because of the look but also, because of the tradition and recognition. Unlike some, I do believe most modern kilts would pass the "kilt" litmus test. For the most part, I've not particularly cared for the look of most of them. I'm not at all fond of stylized apron snaps and oversized pockets of the Ulilikilt and others of its ilk - just a personal preference. Also I have yet to see a modern kilt that can match a traditional for pleats that fall without twisting about. (The Kilt Store sells a camo hybrid that looks pretty good, though.) For the time being, I'm happy to stay on the traditional side of the fence. There's still quite allot for me to explore over here.

blu

[Jimmy Carbomb]

For those who wear both, did you find it took more audacity to wear a modern kilt? In your opinion, are your modern kilts just as much a "kilts" as your tartan traditionals? Do you experience different reactions from people between the two styles?

This is a good one buddy!

Simply put... as long as they're made to resemble the traditionals (ie. tapered apron, numerous STRAIGHT pleats) I'll wear a casual anywhere but a formal event.

The reactions are just as simple. A kilt with a solid design, from a skilled kiltmaker or seamstress, will be seen and approached as "just that". A casual that's too short and in tartan will take more abuse than ANY other kilt. (Thanks Britney Spears).

I've seen kilts "custom-made" that have pleats all over the freakin' place, and they're good for bars and waxing your car. I've seen casuals that have the pleat depth of a crease from the dryer. Those are NOT what I'm referring to.

I'm referring to casuals (like BearKilts, Pittsburgh Kilts, StillwaterKilt Standards) that are comfortable and sewn-up with a set design. All three are pieces that are designed to FIT. They're also a price that make them quite easy to wear.

As long as they're made with care... I'll reflect that in wearing them. In hot weather, I'll substitute my Cape Breton BearKilt for my hand-sewn traditional all the time. Accessorizing it the same will draw no attention. In fact, they're interchangeable for 90% of the events that I'm attending.

In your opinion, are your modern kilts just as much a "kilts" as your tartan traditionals?

As long as they're looking "proper", I love them both!