An honest question

[TravisMcGuire]

I realize I'm new here, but I have one or two things to respond to, having worn a great kilt weekly for ten years.
1) It's cumbersome and difficult to wear.
Admittedly, it takes a bit of practice, but when folded properly, I'm far more likely to get my cold weather coat or suit jacket caught on things than I am the folds of my great kilt. I've done everything there is to do, from stage fencing to yard work to Broadway dance rehearsals in my great kilt and never had a single incident of ripping or inappropriate slipping.
2) It looks "costumey" or too "period."
This depends on your skill, frankly. If you can't make straight lines or properly estimate your body width, you'll end up with some of the blouse-y, hideous looks that I've seen in many pictures. This did tend to look like a period costume. The way I tend to wear mine, I have frequently been asked by other kilt wearers if I'm wearing a great kilt or just a regular kilt and a particularly ostentatious fly plaid. Admittedly, the folks on this forum would readily see the differences, but my point id that it is completely possible to create the same clean lines of a tailored kilt if you're very careful and precise. And this, including the pleating process, I have down to about ten minutes.
I tend to wear mine with a simple black waistcoat, and french cuffed shirt, with a thin scarf of the dame tartan tied as a cravat. Avoiding the "jacobite shirt" or any other non-modern (or completely made up) accessories also minimizes the costume element and helps people to see it as a modernization of a useful and versatile garment from the past. I find that it's only as "period" as you accessorize it to be.
On the other hand, in my day job I frequently switch between 18th-century Spanish soldier, 8th-century Chinese courtier, and Russian boyar from the era of Ivan the Terrible all in one day, so take my fashion sense with a large grain of salt.

[Nathan]

On the other hand, in my day job I frequently switch between 18th-century Spanish soldier, 8th-century Chinese courtier, and Russian boyar from the era of Ivan the Terrible all in one day, so take my fashion sense with a large grain of salt.

Indeed. You've admitted a perspective that is both historical and theatrical so I'll take you up on that grain of salt idea. Still Travis, I'd like to see a photo of this ensemble. The thin tartan cravat sounds particularly odd to my ear, but hey, maybe you'll post a photo and change my mind. I suspect though, that your look will appear anachronistic even if it does look stylish and tidy.

[TravisMcGuire]

Well, I've admitted it's anachronistic. I'm wearing a garment a few centuries out of its heyday as if it were modern clothing.
Oddly, I can't seem to find a picture right now. I'll have to take one in a couple of days when I get home. Apparently, all of my friends find it so commonplace for me to be dressed this way that now have ever bothered to post pics anywhere.
But here's a shot of the same outfit (with pants) from a children's production of La serva padrona a couple of years ago, so you can see sort of what the accessories I'm talking about look like. IMG_30430474797060.jpeg

[Pleater]

As it has been rather cold here I have to confess to donning a kimono to keep warm some afternoons - as they are traditionally worn closed the same way as a kilt it seems a proper addition - wearing a garment with snaps or buttons which close it right over left over a kilt which closes left over right just seems so wrong.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[BBNC]

Where I live there is a group of guys who dress in old west clothing, carry six guns, and shoot at each other with blanks for little shows. That would be OK but they dress like that all the time and they act like they are from back then. Constantly dressing like they are from the past while not in a play/living history setting makes them appear nuts. This may be how others view a person in a great kilt while not in a play/living history setting.

In my younger days, I trained horses, and worked the horse shows in New York State. Sure I wore western (or English style ) wear when appropriate, but I didn't otherwise pretend to be a westerner or English gentleman, We referred to those who did as "drugstore cowboys."

As far as a great kilt goes, there are events where such may be appropriate, but not as everyday traditional Scottish wear.

BBNC

[TravisMcGuire]

IMG_20140517_130432.jpg

Hope this works on my phone. Finally remembered to get a pic taken in my great kilt (in overdressed for the occasion mode). Sorry there's no pic of the back. We were celebrating World Whisky Day, so one can't remember everything.

[jhockin]

Just my personal 25 cents worth: I think a neatly donned great kilt is very suitable for formal dress, such as a wedding.
Also for a walk or hike in the woods.
But then, I admit to being an eccentric, and have no problem with being "judged" as such.

[Leatherneck Donald]

Where I live there is a group of guys who dress in old west clothing, carry six guns, and shoot at each other with blanks for little shows. That would be OK but they dress like that all the time and they act like they are from back then. Constantly dressing like they are from the past while not in a play/living history setting makes them appear nuts. This may be how others view a person in a great kilt while not in a play/living history setting.

I'm a member of the Single Action Shooting Society, which is not a reenactment group like you mention (nearly every town in Wyoming has a reenactment group staging shootouts down town), members are competitive shooters who dress in the style of the Old West. One of our local members recently passed away, and several of us at the funeral were in our western Sunday-go-to-meeting duds. In that group (nearly 100,000 members around the world) there are those who take the costuming quite seriously, eschewing such modern geegaws as belt loops and pearl snap shirts, while others adopt a look that suits their personality and comfort. It is much like the kilt world in that some dress like that every day, and others just when they go to matches or special events.

I really admire those who put the time and effort into wearing (if not historically accurate, at least culturally accurate) kilts and accessories on a regular basis. I wear mine on special occasions. I also like to see someone in a Utilikilt or 5.11 TDK with combat boots and a rock band t-shirt. I've been seen at a number of concerts or just backyard bonfires dressed like that.

To the OP, if a belted plaid or great kilt rocks your world, go for it. If you dress to please others, you won't please yourself.

[Sir Didymous]

As a tired and true eccentric, I will openly admit to wearing the great kilt as day wear with some frequency (though not regularly as it takes a minute more than I usually have to put on). I like going on walks and camping in it. I have worn it to church a few times, and even a wedding or two. The thing is that you WILL stand out. It doesn't bother me, but if you wear it, you will have to either like or not care about the attention. I fall into the second category and wear what I like. The few exceptions being where it is considered a matter of respect or tact. The occasions that I wear such things to church are covered by the fact that people know me and would think it odd if I showed up in a suit and tie. Here is a picture that my wife felt she just had to have for her photography class right after I got back from a walk. I look a bit frumpy, but who really thinks that they're going to come home to a photo shoot?
kilt.jpg

[MacKenzie]

I'm a member of the Single Action Shooting Society...

As am I. And, like you, I have observed the similarities between the S.A.S.S. world and the kilt world. It's uncanny, really.

Donald, given your location you probably shoot with some people I call friends.

-- Stump Water, SASS# 48321L