Representing the Kilt?

[CMcG]

Sounds exciting. Go with your gut; If it ere me in your situation, I'd be looking for advice from you anyway

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Frankly CMcG, I think you're style and judgement goes far beyond mine. I have yet to see you not well put together. You even made a free Utilikilt look sharp. Any combo you come up with that isn't too formal will be fine as long as it isn't uncomfortable in Hong Kong weather.

Gentlemen, you flatter me

Whidbey78, I was just looking at the average temperatures and humidity for Hong Kong in the Fall and Winter. Thankfully, it seems a bit more temperate from December to March. Wearing a jacket in high heat and humidity would definitely have been a drag

As for formality, I don't want to be over dressed but I still think it represents better to be looking smart. That probably means my dress Argyll and a tie, both of which could be removed if the event ends up being more casual. I've also found a tweed jacket that is just the right length to work with a kilt or with p@nts, so I might bring that with me as well...

Since it specifies "for cultural activities", I'd opt for the traditional look.
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I agree that traditional-ish is the way to go... but if I'm going to wear my national tartan, it will have to be my PV (rather than wool) that I mentioned earlier in this thread. I got in touch with MacHummel last night to see about altering that kilt to fit better and he has agreed to do so at a very reasonable rate.

[CMcG]

So, anyone else have experience with kilting up at multicultural events?

[ohiopiper]

I represented* Scotland at a Scouts "World Friendship Day" earlier this year. Various stuff going on, but all presented by scouts except me. I went with the thoroughly traditional stuff, including a demonstration on the bagpipe. Pulled it off well enough that I got a compliment from one of the scouts fathers, a Scottish immigrant.

*Decidedly not Scottish, but happened to be the only one they knew that owned a kilt and played the pipes.

[Nighthawk]

Perhaps overly dressy, but here's a nice beaver sporran with maple leaves on the cantle:

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/msf-1045.jpg

The way I see it, a good sporran is as versatile as a good kilt. There are, of course, daywear, semi dress, and formal sporrans, but I've found that just like the kilt, a good sporran is perfectly comfortable in any and all environments. I would no more hesitate to wear that beaver pelt sporran to an Iron Maiden concert than I would to a Burns supper. ...well... Maybe I'd forgo the Maiden show... getting beer spilled on it may not be a good thing. But you get my point!

As to multicultural affairs, I have had a little experience. The Colorado University in Boulder has a multicultural fair every year, and several of my friends- particularly of the Norse and native American variety- attend. So I, of course, go with them. I always go kilted, and am always well received. I would say to treat your ethnic costume not as costume, but as is so often said on this board, as clothing. Wear it to class in place of jeans. Wear it to formal functions in place of trousers. When asked, politely explain what it is. I don't think it needs to be any more complicated than that. Hold your head high and always be proud of who and what you are, and you should do well, I would think.

I agree that traditional-ish is the way to go... but if I'm going to wear my national tartan, it will have to be my PV (rather than wool) that I mentioned earlier in this thread. I got in touch with MacHummel last night to see about altering that kilt to fit better and he has agreed to do so at a very reasonable rate.

And the cloth matters... how? Is someone going to come over to you, grab it and yell "You've deceived me!! That's not wool!!" Somehow, I don't see that happening. Not to mention the fact that the PV is woven in a Scottish mill, anyway, and is in fact a genuine tartan. So really, I don't see that as a concern.