Wearing A Kilt On Halloween

[OC Richard]

If it's a costume, it's being degraded as such. If it's just clothing, then you haven't really dressed for Hallowe'en, now have you?

Very well put. For myself, when I've worn Highland Dress on Halloween, it's been somewhere in between: not "costume" yet not my ordinary daily dress.

[Just Hugh]

I am in the U.S and there is much discussion about "cultural appropriation." The Redskins football team mascot is a touchpoint, yet at a local high school here the mascot is "The Highlanders."

Personally, I am empathetic toward the argument against the "Redskins" mascot, although I have no identification with that heritage.

Meanwhile, I am a celebrant of my Scottish Heritage, march with pipe band, and am not only not offended by the "Highlander" mascot, I'm proud that my heritage has a mythologic aura that would make it worthy of a sports mascot - IN THE U.S.A.

In England, a sporting team of non-Scots that used Scottish Cultural imagery as a mascot might be viewed differently since the history of the two cultures may create a context of the mascot as other rather than courageous character - similar to the mixed opinions felt about Native American mascots, symbology and costuming in the U.S.

Additionally, "Highlanders" was a self-descriptive term, where "Redskin" and "Indians" were not.

The answer, ultimately, is intent and respect. However, on the continuum of cultures that are sensitive to feeling insulted about cultural appropriation, I'd say that Scots are slightly more sensitive than the Irish are about cultural appropriation on St. Patricks Day (U.S.)

Which means, not very sensitive. This is NOT the equivalent, or even close to other cultural appropriations like blackface or dressing as an "Illegal Immigrant" with a Mexican hat. When I have seen people "try on" Scottish culture it always made me happy, not offended.

Study this website to get it right, though. You've no excuse now!

[PatrickHughes123]

That is a definite no no. It's fine to wear a kilt to be cultural or as something you wear to an event, being an alternative for a suit. But never on Halloween. The kilt is not a costume, it is something that has evolved and changed over the course of centuries and that is exactly what makes it a beautiful thing to wear. To wear it on Halloween is degrading, so is wearing it to a costume party.

I once wore mine to a Halloween party and I regret it ever since.

[PatrickHughes123]

and am not only not offended by the "Highlander" mascot, I'm proud that my heritage has a mythologic aura that would make it worthy of a sports mascot - IN THE U.S.A.

Yeah, I feel the same way. I find that to be a great thing, the Scottish mascot. I find it slightly humourous too.

[Tobinn]

I might have missed it but, are you planning on wearing the kilt as a costume or just planning on wearing it? If my son opts for trick or treating this year I'll wear a kilt because that's what I wear now instead of jeans or shorts. If you're just wearing it as clothing then go for it. If it's part of a costume...it better be a good one I guess since, based on the other posts you might be treading on thin ice. Personally, as long as you're not hurting anyone or trying to be a jerk about, do as you please, I think.

[Jumpmonkey]

Somewhat disregarding the general question of wearing the kilt on Halloween, may I suggest the following...

...If you plan on wearing the kilt as a garment, I don't believe that introducing it, and yourself in it, on Halloween is a good idea, if you hope to be taken seriously wearing it on another day. In addition to your normal adjustment to wearing the kilt as a garment, you'll have to deal with some "why are you still wearing your Halloween costume?" mentality, because you introduced it as a Halloween costume.

If you're trying to build up the courage to wear it publicly, I'll suggest what worked for me.
1) Wear your kilt around the house for a day (or more if you need) just get used to wearing it.
2) Wear it out in public, some place like the park or mall. Wear it out of your house, in the presence of strangers.
3) Wear it in the presence of friends and family.
4) Just plain wear it wherever.

Step one is easy. The rest of the steps can be kinda nerve racking when initially taken. But, at least in my case, I've found the reactions are generally positive. Most people in public will not react, those that do are usually quite positive and excited. Friends and family will likely be a bit taken back, but they tend to adjust pretty quickly and life moves on. I think the worst reaction I had was a friends 10yo son, who burst out in laughter the first time he saw me in "a skirt." I explained what it was, he had a bit of a laugh the next couple times he saw me in it, and since then all is back to normal, and he barely regards the kilt at all.

All in all, if you wish to be taken seriously in the kilt, present yourself "seriously" so to speak.

[Tobus]

I would not wear the kilt on Halloween unless it was something I wore every day.

Why?

Because if you're wearing it on that day only, it doesn't matter what your reasoning is. The perception by others will be that it's a costume, worn as a silly parody like all the other silly parody costumes worn on that day. Even if you think you're wearing it respectfully, the fact that you chose that day to wear it will come across to others as a costume. You cannot control others' perceptions; you can only attempt to understand it and work around it.

Even if you choose that day to wear it because it's "safe", what happens next? If you wear it a week later, I can assure you that people will wonder why you wore your Halloween costume a week after Halloween. They will have made the association between your kilt and Halloween.

This is just my opinion, but if you want an excuse to wear the kilt to your workplace or any other place that you normally wouldn't, choose a more serious occasion. Like St. Andrew's Day, or Tartan Day, or something that people will equate to the cultural heritage of the kilt. But NOT a day where people are expected to wear silly outfits. Context matters!

[CollinMacD]

I have stated several times in the past, I wear my kilt to honor and remember my heritage, and ancestors. It is the way I can connect with my ancestors, knowing they are remembered and honored.

This is not a costume, but to me an ethnic traditional dress of a specific race of people who my ancestors are from that race and I was born their customs, traditions, history, and heritage. Dressing in my Scottish dress is not considered a costume for a party or roam the streets with Frankenstein or witches. Means much more to me personally, its my heritage.

Putting this in the same classification of Casper the Friendly Ghost, the Slutty Maid, or Count Dracula, is not acceptable to me personally. Scotland is not make believe, nor is it meant to be comical, scary, or a super hero. Scotland is real, with a long and proud history, made of of generations of its people who suffered and died to make what it is today. The kilt and other Scottish items and traditions are treasured possessions owned by our Scottish ancestors and todays Scots are the caretakers of this today. Why would I demote this to a mere costume to dress up to celebrate an evening meant for children to receive candy, vice a trick.

Scottish history is a turbulent one, and many Scots suffered, but it is also a very proud and defiant nation that remembers its past and honors its traditions. Halloween, is based on a pagan celebration of the changing of summer to winter or life to death, to me not the best holiday to wear my kilt or sport any other Scottish style.

Sorry, but I will still to my Indian Jones outfit, and keep my kilt for more appropriate and special holidays and events..

[Taskr]

I tend to agree with the sentiment that if Halloween is an excuse to wear the kilt for the first time, perhaps you might consider some other occasion where your dashing self in a kilt will be better appreciated.

I fall back to the Halloween of my youth. If its not a ghoul, goblin, ghost, witch or other horrid or scary creature, then its simply a costume day.

[Fedgunner]

I did wear a kilt as part of a Halloween costume.
I went as a pimp from Glasgow, complete with a Scottish pound note in my hat band, a heavily jeweled pound sign necklace and an inflatable sheep under my arm.