Counterrevolutionary

[ForresterModern]

I would liken this event to, say, a wedding, where the focus of attention is meant to be on the graduating students and their accomplishments, and that should be the foremost thought in planning for said event. That said, if your students will remember you as the "kilted" professor in a positive and memorable way, and you wearing your Highland Outfit onstage for the graduation festivities will not detract from their ability to take pride in and enjoy their moment in the sun, I too say go for it---go kilted. But only you can decide. You might consider letting the students have some input. Consider asking them to think about it one day in class, then to provide you will anonymous written feedback on the idea at the end of the next class (and make sure it is really anonymous, even if that means having someone else read and tally the responses, so you do not recognize the handwriting or verbage styles of any given students). If you get the thumbs up from most of them, and no seriously negative responses to the idea, go kilted with pride and their blessing. Just a thought.

Jeff

[Lallans]

If I can imagine myself as a (Japanese?) student who had been seeing you kilted all year, I would want you to wear your kilt for the commemorative photo. Or at least want you to be available kilted for photo ops later- if that wouldn't be disrespectful in my culture... but I think it would... so no, I come back to wanting the official photo be be of a kilted sensai-san.

[Riverkilt]

No clue what the graduation traditions are at your college.

Stateside, caps and gowns are the order with the faculty leading wearing their cap and gown regalia - particualrly their hoods which denote their individual academic achievment. Its the one time of year that a college publicly focuses on academics rather than sports.

Since you've not mentioned caps and gowns guessing things are different there. But your academic regailia has been kilts - stick with it.

[Jock Scot]

Sorry for that brief diversion from the thread. Right. We see a large number of Japanese visitors over here in Scotland and almost every one of them are delighted to see the kilt worn, judging by the numbers of cameras that appear from nowhere. What is very surprising, to me anyway, is how knowledgeable they are on all things Scottish and in particular the kilt. They really respect that our national dress is worn as an everyday event(little do they know how few of us do, it seems) and they have shown nothing but courtesy, politeness, respect and interest. Wear the kilt, but wear it properly with ALL the right bits in place, DON'T cut corners, if my experience is anything to go by, they will know. Doing it wrong may well, WILL actually, give offence. With the kilt worn properly, I am quite sure that huge respect will be given to you by a very respectful and in many ways, traditional Japanese nation.

[Brian K]

If I understand correctly, CDNSushi has NOT worn the kilt to class every day. The leathers, on the other hand, have been worn, at least separately, on numerous occasions. I would think that if he wishes to do something special for the graduation then the kilt would be in order. I think the idea of an informal poll of some sort is a good idea. It also might be a good idea to consult with other faculty, both Japanese and Western, to get a feel of what might or might not be acceptable. Students might not want to upset a faculty member by telling him what they think he might not want to here, but a fellow teacher would be more likely to set you straight if you're about to commit some serious faux pas.

[wildrover]

If they've seen you in formal situations before in your kilt, and it's been accepted as clothing a cut above casual, then my guess is likely it will be just fine.

As long as you don't wear anything like a costume, including a leather suit, I'm sure it will be fine...either a suit and tie, or the kilted equivalent thereof.

Personally...I think the leather suit would be more out of place than a kilt.

-Sean

[NewGuise]

If those students expect a kilt, wear a kilt; as others have pointed out, this is their day. Subvert expectation on any other day but that. [I speak as a professor here, prone to such subversion.]

[Jaggy thistle]

Wear your kilt but as Jock says wear it correctly

[Riverkilt]

We get a lot of Japanese tourists around here too. When I stop by the local saloon to dance they whip out their cameras to take pics of the guy in the kilt dancing in a western themed bar. They would never do that if I was in leathers.

[CDNSushi]

Thanks for the opinions, everyone. Believe me when I say that I read them, I also consider them as well. But Brian K did hit the nail on the head. For those who missed it in my original post, I'll repeat it here:

Most of my students have never seen me in a kilt because I've never worn my kilt to school before.

The leathers on the other hand, they have seen. Just not as part of an ensemble. As others have mentioned, I do not want to take away from the specialness of that day from them no matter what I wear. I suppose I could just wear a regular, black suit just like everyone else but that goes against the wisdom quoted by Lord Polonius (Hamlet, Act 1 Scene III).

I think then that I will indeed take a couple photos wearing each outfit and ask my friends (both online and off) and ask what they think. Until then it's all just guessing and conjecture. To address what others have wondered about regarding standard attire for this, it's pretty simple. No caps & gowns like in N. America. Graduating men: black, formal business suits. Graduating women: black, format business suits OR traditional kimono are acceptable. (Actually, formal kimono would be MORE than acceptable for the men too, but unfortunately very, very few young men are interested in Japanese culture and history nowadays, it seems). On the STAFF side, their class advisor (like a homeroom teacher) would wear a black tailcoat, direct teaching staff (i.e. those who actually taught them) would wear black business suits, possibly tails, or again, kimono for the ladies, and staff who did not teach them along with support staff (e.g. school nurse, custodian, etc) any suit will do -- black is common but not necessary. Among graduating students and staff that are closest to them, as well as the college principal it is also common to wear white and red rosettes in the lapel (colors of the Japanese flag).