Sooooo, why don't more Scots wear kilts?

[Chris Webb]

Chris, I understand your point, but for many of us "traditionalists", the kilt is a garment that has too special of a meaning and symbolism to be worn everyday. Notice that I said "for many of us", speaking only for fellow traditionalists there who share my opinion, no one else. I don't want my kilt to become just another piece of clothing in my wardrobe, because it symbolises for me my heritage and family history.

I hope you can understand and respect my viewpoint here, as a self-proclaimed "traditionalist".

Regards,

Todd

Todd,

I most certainly respect your viewpoint. I'm not a traditionalist where kilts are concerned ... I wear kilts for a wide variety of reasons including medical, comfort, rebelion and just a wee bit of Scots-Irish pride.

I'm just one of a growing number of men who are just sick of pants. A Scottish Kilt, from my perspective, is not greatly different than a Western Hat ... both garments may have cultural significance, both likely do not greatly resemble their original and niether one finds it's first appearance in the land that claims it. But, both hat and kilt are damned fine, practical garments for the Hellish climate we have here in Texas.

Men have been wearing kilt like garments before there was ever a Scotland just like men have been wearing wide brimmed hats long before there was a Texas. As we Texans don't hold it against the Scots for claiming their particular form of man-skirt, the modern kilt, to be somehow wholey their own I can only hope that Scots would allow us the same latitude in claiming the modern Western or Cowboy Hat as our own.

There are, of course, Traditionalists in Texas as well. They take great pride in all that has become associated with Texas in terms of Western Clothing and are careful to pay attention to the smallest of details. Like you, with your kilt, they dawn their Western Out-fits on special occasions and wouldn't think of actually going out to mow they yard in it. Too much is invested in it monetarily and emotionally, in terms of heritage, to risk damaging any part of it. I have such an out-fit myself and the total value of it meets or exceeds the total value of the best of the most formal Scottish Kilt out-fits.

For me, the Cowboy out-fit has the same depth of history, heritage and family/regional pride as any family tartaned kilt has for a Kilt Traditionalist. For me it's my 10X Stetson, White Panhandle Slim, full yoke, pearl snap shirt, Mexican Silver matching Belt and Bolo Tie and Tony Lama Boots that hang carefully in my closet in wait of just the right occassion to be brought out. For me kilts are for work and play just like jeans or a Cowboy Hat might be for work and play for you.

It's all a matter of perspective. I've enjoyed the good natured posts in this thread regarding the Texas Straw Kilt but don't think for one moment that I don't have as much pride in my heritage and the clothing that represents it as any Scot has in the same. Actually, if a Texan did make a straw kilt it would likely be woven, pleated and belted rather than the grass skirt depicted. LOL!!!

Anyway, I stand by my original notion both in this thread and the previous 'why don't Scots wear kilts' thread that the reasons Kilt out-fits in Scotland have gone the way of Western out-fits in Texas are basically the same, if not completely the same. As such, the resurgence of the kilt will depend on the Scots making some of the same decisions about kilts that we Texans have made about Hats.

What are these decisions: A modern Cowboy hat does not have to be made of Beaver Felt, does not have to be accompanied by all the other accessories traditionally assigned to it, and can be worn and even alterred by anyone who appreciates it for what it is: a damned fine way to look snappy and to keep the sun off your face, ears and neck.

Similar decisions made by the people of Scotland could, and possibly already do, make a difference in the number of kilts seen on the general population there.

We are both Traditionalists, just for different traditions. However, we both know that there are elements in our tradition that are actually best left to special occassions. But there are elements that deserve, by virtue of their wearability and practicallity, to be shared with all and even worn by us on a daily basis.

That's why I wear a Cowboy hat with my kilt when I work on the hot, sunny days of Texas. I dishonor neither my own Traditional garb or yours, no, I just celebrate the best of them both by wearing them for what they really are ... damned fine clothing.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Webb

[macwilkin]

Chris,

You make some very interesting points in your last post, and I enjoyed reading it.

Cheers,

Todd

[cavscout]

Guys, I was away for the weekend and was only able to peak in and see that the earlier thread on this topic was racking up some great posts but didn't get to read everything so I was excited to sit down tonight and pour over them only to see the thread was moved to the penalty box.

I'd like to say thanks to all who responded to the topic especially to P1M and James. I believe you hit the nail on the head and I feel I now have a better understanding of this issue. Sooooo many people do not see the value of studying history because they feel it does not apply to our lives. Here we see how the single action of outlawing the kilt (among other things) drastically altered a social norm that to this day has not been fully reveresed (corrected?). Without proscription, would the kilt have been brought across the sea and become a cherished part of the Melting Pot we have become in America? Maybe not, but who knows. That would have been something to see!

I think Chris' point is probably more of an indicator of why the proliferation of kilts is not happening FASTER. If kilts had always been a promoted way of life, the expectation would be to wear a kilt. But the kilt was suppressed and life moved on and norms changed. Now the kilt has to make up ground to be as accepted in many areas. This is happening slowely due to cost. The REASON we don't see them worn though is further back in time.

I'm very glad to hear that the kilt is still common in the North. Thanks again Gents for the discussion.

[GlassMan]

I'd like to make a couple of points about kilts. First I'd like to acknowledge that the cost of kilts, as has been mentioned before, is a major deterrent to the wearing of the traditional handmade Scottish kilt on an every-day basis.

And history does have much to tell us about why kilts are not more popular. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that wearing of tartans and kilts was outlawed by the crown for a period. That banning of tartans is what caused the general confusion about what a particular clan's "tartan" really is. The wearing of tartans and of kilts was almost wiped out by both the law and later desires to be inculturated to the norms of the rest of Europe.

But before anyone starts yelling about anti-British sentiment, I'm not trying to be anti-anyone. I'm just pointing out a point of history.

And I'd also like to point out another bit of history. The revival of the kilt, the revival of clan tartans, and the very form of the modern philabeg was brought about by enjoyment of all things Scottish by King George IV & Queen Victoria, God rest their souls. While many would blame the English for the near loss of the kilt to history, the Monarchs of the United Kingdom also deserve the credit for reviving and repopularizing the kilt.

Also, personally I am quite the traditionalist in my attire. But I also believe in wearing a kilt every day. When it is a special occassion I'll pull out the full PC outfit, but I think a kilt is too wonderful a garment to hide it away in a dark closet.

I hope that the Scots still in Scotland will increase their frequency of kilt wearing. And when they do, they should take a few fashion pointers from Prince Charles, since he always looks quite dashing in his kilts.

[Valencian Kilted]

P1M, I hate to embarrass you on this fine forum, but I think you're wearing that Kilt backwarrds

...just backwards?... Nobody noticed he's wearing it on the hips?, c'mon! u should show us ur knees lad!!!


¡Salud

T O N O

[fhpdo]

Would the proper accessory for the grass kilt be a coconut sporan?,,,,and could one wear it with a coconut bra , like so many Parrotheads who go to see Jimmy Buffet play?
John

[Pour1Malt]

aye... coconut sporran! HA! guid wan...

an if the coconut sporran is made correctly ya can also dae a

Monty Python horse impersonation....

[ckelly327]

aye... coconut sporran! HA! guid wan...

an if the coconut sporran is made correctly ya can also dae a

Monty Python horse impersonation....

Where did you get those cocnuts?

Maybe they were carried here by a swallow?

An African or European swallow?

I don't know.

Great, Great movie.

[macwilkin]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that wearing of tartans and kilts was outlawed by the crown for a period. That banning of tartans is what caused the general confusion about what a particular clan's "tartan" really is.

Afraid not, old boy -- remember that the idea of a "clan" tartan realy didn't develop until the turn of the 19th century -- yes, there were tartans around that later became clan tartans, but the idea of a system of tartans to represent a particular clan came later, mostly due to Lowland firms like Wilson's of Bannockburn.

Cheers,

Todd

[An t-Ileach]

...And history does have much to tell us about why kilts are not more popular. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that wearing of tartans and kilts was outlawed by the crown for a period. That banning of tartans is what caused the general confusion about what a particular clan's "tartan" really is. The wearing of tartans and of kilts was almost wiped out by both the law and later desires to be inculturated to the norms of the rest of Europe...

And I'd also like to point out another bit of history. The revival of the kilt, the revival of clan tartans, and the very form of the modern philabeg was brought about by enjoyment of all things Scottish by King George IV & Queen Victoria, God rest their souls. While many would blame the English for the near loss of the kilt to history, the Monarchs of the United Kingdom also deserve the credit for reviving and repopularizing the kilt...

I hope that the Scots still in Scotland will increase their frequency of kilt wearing. And when they do, they should take a few fashion pointers from Prince Charles, since he always looks quite dashing in his kilts.

Todd pointed out about the tartans thing; but about the Proscription Act - this year is the 260th Anniversary of its enactment and next year (2007) is the same anniversary of its implementation.

GlassMan's comment about the Royal Family is apt. And not only does the PW wear the kilt constantly when he's in Scotland, but the Princess Royal is an active and enthusiastic promoter of things Scottish - especially at Rugby matches.

As for increasing the frequency of kilt wearing, I think it comes down to two things: affordability, and popularising (or encouragement) - most people hesitate to be guinea-pigs, or to stand out in a crowd, and Scots are no different. The more people promote kilt-wearing (and X Marks performs a sterling role in this), the easier it'll become for people to do it.

There is, also, the psychology angle, too, I suppose. 'Why don't more Scots wear the kilt?' may boil down to the same psychological hang-up that affects the use of Gaelic. On Lewis, for example, some 60 percent of the population speaks Gaelic, yet at Steornaway (is that how it's spelt?) the common language you'll here is English: I wonder why? And Inverness Council opposed the use of bi-lingual road signs, and seems to be opposed to the opening of a Gaelic-language primary school (highlander_Daz should be able to correct me if I'm wrong).