Dressed up a bit for my first outing

[Big Dave]

Looking sharp.

[David Dalglish]

Nice pictures-Very interesting post

[Ialtog]

Didn't know about the gig or might have driven down too. Were the Hopi's there in their "kilts?"

This International Fair is sponsored by the university and focuses more on student groups and associations. Our Celtic society, while not part of the campus scene really, has helped put it on for the past several years. While we have a large percentage of Native American students here, there was not an organized presence by either the Navajo or Hopi. There was a sort of "pan-Indian" group that did some more generalized pow-wow circuit dancing and music.

It is interesting that you ask the question Ron. I had a lady come up to me who, first off wanted to compliment me on my kilt and secondly ask a question that sort of stumped me for a second. "I'm walking around the booths and I notice a lot of cultures have men's clothing that are dress-like. Why is that? Who came up with the idea that men had to wear pants anyway?"

Well, she was right. There were men from various African, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures all wearing unbifurcated clothing. Now, I am not satisfied with an answer if it isn't at least six paragraphs long (you can ask my partner - she is always asking for the "short version") so I felt a bit of a let down that all I could say is:

"All I can say is they are damn comfortable. I wish I knew who it was that made us get into pants in the first place."

She liked the answer.

[Riverkilt]

Boy, is that a ready made doctoral thesis or what?

Wonder how far back pants go...probably to some early masochistic society...

But ain't it true...if cultures gather for an event like this there are a LOT of unbifurcated male garments that are as deeply traditional as the kilt is the the Scots.

Ron

[auld argonian]

Pants are a relatively recent development...I'd expect that we'd find that pants evolved from leggings in areas of extremely cold weather...Inuit cultures, Native Lapps, Siberians. I'd also postulate that pants caught on more quickly in cultures that were dependent on horseback riding like among the Mongols. Unbifurcated would seem to actually be more like the historical norm with bifurcated being the johnny-come-lately.

Best

AA

[Dirk Skene]

Your experience with the Kenyan student does not surprise me. I have had little contact with "true" Africans but all have been polite and well educated on world culture. None would criticize someone for a kilt.

[Retro Red]

Hey, Ialtog, nice to see you... literally!

You look sharp, especially for a first kilt outing.

Sorry you couldn't make it to Tucson Saturday for the Celtic Festival, but at least I should recognize you, now, at a future festival in the Valley or up at Flag.

As for those "panting" to know the origin of trousers - the "short" answer is they gained popularity in Europe starting in the 16th century & since Western culture has been the dominant culture in the world for the last couple of centuries or so, they've gotten a "leg up" on unbifurcated apparel.

For Ialtog & those who prefer more in-depth answers, I present this Wikipedia link to the history of trousers -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trousers
.

[Kilted_John]

laltog,

You're looking really sharp. That kilt would probably also go well with bottle green or black kilt hose for a more subdued look.

-J

[Alan H]

You and your kilt look great...and that sort of conversation in priceless, eh?

[efer]

Nice first kilt! You look great

I would agree some dark hose adds a slightly different look.

Glad to hear your first kilted day went well overall! Here's to you! (lifting & drinking a glass of port )