A new look for the kilt.

[Miah]

No it shouldn't make much a diff, there are seam cutter tools out there they may have then in Walmart or something like that around you it has a "U" shaped blade >======
would look something like that the blade facing to the left
with a handle behind it. or go with a nice sharp thin blade,
Razor or nice sharp knife. and it should come off sweet and easy, I would think after a wash or 2 the thread holes would be hardly noticable.

[macwilkin]

These people are the 'dyed-in-the-wool' ultra-traditionalists (fortunately a dying breed)

Rob, I think you're being unfair to the many traditionalists like myself, who really have no problems with what the "modern" folks are doing, either here or in Scotland, but ask that the "modern" types show the same respect they demand to those of us who like the traditional look & feel it is more appropriate for themselves.

I wear my "traditional" kilt in a "casual" style on occasion, and I certainly like the look of Bear's kilts...but I am a "bluff ol' tartan dinosaur" at heart. I would never dream of saying that anyone was wrong for wearing one of these "modern" kilts, but don't expect me in one anytime soon!

Once again, my mantra for this board: tolerance is a two-way street. I will respect the "moderns", but only if they show me the same respect as a "traditionalist".


Cheers,

T.

[bear]

These people are the 'dyed-in-the-wool' ultra-traditionalists (fortunately a dying breed)

Rob, I think you're being unfair to the many traditionalists like myself, who really have no problems with what the "modern" folks are doing, either here or in Scotland, but ask that the "modern" types show the same respect they demand to those of us who like the traditional look & feel it is more appropriate for themselves.

I wear my "traditional" kilt in a "casual" style on occasion, and I certainly like the look of Bear's kilts...but I am a "bluff ol' tartan dinosaur" at heart. I would never dream of saying that anyone was wrong for wearing one of these "modern" kilts, but don't expect me in one anytime soon!

Once again, my mantra for this board: tolerance is a two-way street. I will respect the "moderns", but only if they show me the same respect as a "traditionalist".


Cheers,

T.

Wow! It's the mods vs the trads! Where are the rockers?

Seriously though, I think most of us have a respect for traditionalists that doesn't always show.
While I'll always believe that kilts are garments, not costumes, and that the traditions are based on an old garment that has been turned into a costume, it is the traditionalists that have kept the kilt alive. If not for them, there would be no kilt, either traditional or casual.

Having said that, there are some traditionalists that sneer and scoff at casual kilts. I often hear them call anything under 6 yards a skirt.

Rob said, "The sort of Scots who criticise North American kiltmakers also criticise the more prograssive Scottish kiltmakers."

I don't think this includes episcopalscot, who seems fairly open to new ideas and I don't think it was aimed at Scots who like their traditions but don't push them on others.

It was aimed at Scots who believe that kilts should be worn only by Scots and only inside a very narrow margin of rules. Anyone outside of those rules would, by their standards, be open to public scorn.

[bubba]

No it shouldn't make much a diff, there are seam cutter tools out there they may have then in Walmart or something like that around you it has a "U" shaped blade

The tool is a seam ripper and they're pretty cheap, under $2 on average. As for removing the threads after ripping, a gum eraser works on most fabrics, but on delicate ones you need to hand pick the threads gently.

[macwilkin]

Many thanks, Bear, for your last comments in regard to my post. I always like to think of myself as a fairly open-minded person, and I certainly allow others their individuality.

I have ran into and have had run-ins with some of those traditionalists you mentioned, both foreign & domestic. I have met Scots who have no reason why Americans, Canadians, etc. wear the kilt and seem "detached" from what it is to be Scottish in general, and not just wearing kilts. I have also met Americans who cannot understand why we wear kilts.

I also have Scottish friends who think it is great how much Americans, Canadians, etc. are aware of their heritage and want to display it by wearing the kilt -- so those are the Scots I listen to, and not the "Sassenachs" who try to limit the kilt to a certain few, and never wear themselves, save a wedding now and again.

I have a lot of respect for the "moderns", for their efforts to introduce the kilt to the general public -- they make us traditionalists seem "cool" by association!

Cheers

T.

[bear]

Many thanks, Bear, for your last comments in regard to my post. I always like to think of myself as a fairly open-minded person, and I certainly allow others their individuality.

I have ran into and have had run-ins with some of those traditionalists you mentioned, both foreign & domestic. I have met Scots who have no reason why Americans, Canadians, etc. wear the kilt and seem "detached" from what it is to be Scottish in general, and not just wearing kilts. I have also met Americans who cannot understand why we wear kilts.

I also have Scottish friends who think it is great how much Americans, Canadians, etc. are aware of their heritage and want to display it by wearing the kilt -- so those are the Scots I listen to, and not the "Sassenachs" who try to limit the kilt to a certain few, and never wear themselves, save a wedding now and again.

I have a lot of respect for the "moderns", for their efforts to introduce the kilt to the general public -- they make us traditionalists seem "cool" by association!

Cheers

T.

episcopalscot,
I've never been to any traditional kilt function where my kilt was scorned. In fact, I've never had, (face to face), any problem with a guy in a kilt. Only on-line has any kilted guy called it a skirt.

It can be a little intimidating to stand beside a piper in full regalia while in a casual kilt. They're so bloody magnificent! I'm cocky enough to do it with aplomb by thinking his kilt will be in the closet for another month or two but mine will be on again in the morning.

[Graham]

Wow! It's the mods vs the trads! Where are the rockers?

You're showing your age now!!

I appreciate ANY efforts to see men in kilts, I may not like to wear some of them myself, but any kilt is better than trousers or skirts.

[Rob]

Rob said, "The sort of Scots who criticise North American kiltmakers also criticise the more prograssive Scottish kiltmakers."

I don't think this includes episcopalscot, who seems fairly open to new ideas and I don't think it was aimed at Scots who like their traditions but don't push them on others.

It was aimed at Scots who believe that kilts should be worn only by Scots and only inside a very narrow margin of rules. Anyone outside of those rules would, by their standards, be open to public scorn.

Spot on Bear. Youv'e got it in one.

I certainly don't consider episcopalscot to be one of the ultra-traditionalists.

To give you all an idea of the type of person I was referring to, I was once on a bus tour around the Isle of Mull (before I bought my kilt), and there was a mouthy Scottish guy sitting near me. We were approaching a road juction where a car had pulled off the road and a middle aged couple had got out of the car and were admiring the view. The man was wearing a traditional tartan kilt in a casual (but smart) manner. The mouthy guy in the bus said "Look at that pratt." I asked him why he called the man by the car a pratt. He replied that kilts should only be worn with full matching regalia, and then only on formal occasions. To wear it informally was an insult to Scottish National Dress. I told him he was talking rubbish.

Episcopalscot,

I am a traditional tartan kilt wearer myself (usually informal), but I make no critisism of men who prefer modern kilts (Scottish or American). Certainly Bear's kilts look really smart when worn casually. I am not so keen on Utilikilts, but it is all a matter of personal taste, and I would not criticise those who do like the Utilikilt look.

Rob

[Dave W.]

Hi Guys I would just like to add my twopen'th.

During my early days of wearing a kilt an "Anorak" told me that I was wearing a "kilted Skirt". Now at that time I was really having trouble understanding my own feelings about wearing a kilt, so I found this to be so embarasing. His comments could have put me off kiltwearing for ever. Fortunately due to websites like this I soon realised that there was nothing wrong with me. I had just discovered a new freedom. However, it did help me decide to find the money and buy a "real" kilt (the full ninw yards) & I never looked back.

Currently I have nine kilts: 2 tartan (8-9 yards), 2 tartan (5 yards) 2 Utilililts, 1 Moutain kilt and 2 Streetkilts (Green Moleskin & Leatherette).

BTW I cannot claim any Scottish heritage but damned if I'm going to be told what I can and cannot wear. If what I wear gives you a problem (within societies rules of decency). Then you've got a problem, not me! So deal with it!

Thats not to say that you're not entitled to your opinion, but so am I!

[Graham]

Good for you Dave, and well done recovering from the negative attitudes you first encountered.

You certainly have an impressive wardrobe of kilts, are there many others in your area who wear kilts as you do? or are you Hampshire's 'pie-in-the-ear'?