Kilts and costumes

[MacMoose]

Fascinating discussion here. I have been to several Renn Faires where very bad attempts at highland dress were to be seen. Mind you, it was by the public, not the actual Rennies.

To add to this discussion, and perhaps to redirect fire....

I work at a lot of Highland Games, as many of us XMarks members do. From time to time, I see the Renn Faire crowd wandering the Games, dressed as fairies and such. There are even a small crowd that attends both the Loch Norman Games and Grandfather Mountain Games that show up in a mix of pirate gear and tie-dye kilts (Saints preserve us!).

For me, the jury is out about wearing a kilt at a Halloween party. Many sides to the argument to consider.

That being said, those that show up to Highland Games (where our heritage is being celebrated) in fantasy clothing need to be introduced to the business end of my Claymore.

Another round of whisky? My shout, folks.

[Kiltman]

I don't see the problem with wearing a kilt as part of a costume, any more than I would have a problem with wearing a pair of jeans, a tuxedo, or a jellaba. If, for instance, I decided to dress as a bagpiper for Halloween, what else would I wear, if not a kilt?

I wish it were true that others see the wearing of a kilt in the same way they do jeans, etc.; but they don't.
I look forward to the day that a kilt can be as normal a wear as jeans. For now, I don't have a problem with it as part of the costume; but we must realize that for many it is only a costume.

[Makeitstop]

As long as you don't treat all kilts as costumes I don't think there should be any reason to object.

Personally, I think anything can be a costume if you are creative with it. Just show up in your regular clothes and go as a sociopath. I also enjoy the piece of paper taped to the shirt that says "world's laziest costume." And I once wore a bathrobe, tin foil hat and slippers (and went 2 weeks without shaving) to go as a paranoid schizophrenic. In all these cases the clothes were part of a costume, but do not constitute costumes without the explanation.

And of course it can be a good way for people to get more comfortable wearing a kilt in public, and around friends who might not be used to such a radical change.

Hell, wearing my improvised belted plaid thingy as part of a braveheart costume was what put the idea in my head to get a real kilt.

And right now I'm trying to figure out what to wear for the upcoming Halloween party, and all I know is I want to work a kilt into the costume.

[Clockwork John]

Personally, I think anything can be a costume if you are creative with it. Just show up in your regular clothes and go as a sociopath.

One year my wife and I went as nudists on strike.

As others have said, a kilt can be a costume(eg. period dress), but generally, a kilt is not a costume.

[Coemgen]

Hell, wearing my improvised belted plaid thingy as part of a braveheart costume was what put the idea in my head to get a real kilt.

And right now I'm trying to figure out what to wear for the upcoming Halloween party, and all I know is I want to work a kilt into the costume.

Indeed, this is also how I got into serious kilting. I am going this year a a medieval knight and my lovely lady as a damsel. I plan to incorporate a kilt into the costume.

As others have said, a kilt can be a costume(eg. period dress), but generally, a kilt is not a costume.

Well said, sir!

[ChromeScholar]

I am not too sure what the history of jeans,tuxedo or jellaba are,but are you suggesting that they are any more than variations of "clothes"?

Nope. Neither is a kilt.

You are not suggesting that they are costumes,are you?

They aren't "only" costumes, but they can be used as such.

The kilt is also a piece of clothing,no more no less

And as such, they are as suitable as part of a costume as jeans, a tuxedo or a djellaba.

but a costume?No way.

Why not?

The kilt is an evey day choice of clothing for a Scotsman,should he choose

And jeans are an everyday choice of clothing for an American, and the Djellaba is an everyday choice of clothing for an Egyptian. That doesn't mean they cannot be used as part of a costume.

to suggest that The kilt is a costume shows a singular lack of knowledge of Highland attire and its meaning to any Scot wherever they may be in this world.

I don't think any said that the kilt is "just" a costume. On the other hand, to say that is cannot be used as part of a costume, IMO, moves the kilt from "everyday" clothing to ceremonial garb.

I do not wish to be rude,but an awful lot of suffering and more than a little blood has been spilt over too many years for the kilt to be regarded as a costume.

The same could be said for every military uniform on earth, and they get worn as costumes.

For those of us who have adopted the kilt as our daily wear, I think that it comes down to the fact that most attendees at a costume party pretty much desire to look stupid or funny! Most pick their get-ups for shock value. We, therefore, resent it when somebody chooses to do this with our beloved kilt!

I agree with that, with one caveat. I can see the difference between the guy who buys a 4.99 "Scottish" costume that looks like crap, and the guy who shows up to a costume party dressed up as a bagpiper, in a real kilt, etc, and looks good.

[Jock Scot]

My dear Chromescholar,it seems that you are as ignorant about Highland attire as you are about military uniforms.Any further comment from me would be superflous.

[Frank McGrath]

The first time I ever wore a kilt, was at halloween. I walked the parade route on the side of the road while my wife and her friends were in the parade. (they won a prize). Several people made comments about the kilt. I wore it to be wearing it, not as a costume. It was a rental from a local costume collection. Several people who know me and have seen me in amy kilt since then ask me if I am going as a "scotsman" again. I have told people that the kilt was not a costume , but soemthing I wanted to wear. This being The USA, and most localities are banning scary costumes, Why not. If done in taste, one should wear what one wants. Just remember, you might be photographed, and pictures last forever.

Or I could wear what I wear everyday and go as a jerk.

[Panache]

On behalf of the Moderating Staff here at X Marks the Scot I would like to make it clear that disagreements are fine, being disagreeable isn't.

I would request that all posters remain respectful of each other when posting their thoughts. Those unable to do so will be contacted by the staff.

Respectfully

Jamie

[Colin]

On behalf of the Moderating Staff here at X Marks the Scot I would like to make it clear that disagreements are fine, being disagreeable isn't.

I would request that all posters remain respectful of each other when posting their thoughts. Those unable to do so will be contacted by the staff.

Respectfully

Jamie

Maybe a few of you guys didn't see this very diplomaticly worded warning from Panache. Well, consider this a very clear second warning shot.