Contemporary vs. Traditional Kilt Perceptions?

[Nighthawk]

I'm in the process of doing the same. I started with UKs, but am quickly switching interest gears towards much more traditional styles. It's nothing against UK. My tastes in styles are just changing.

- J.

I did more or less the same with Amerikilts. My tastes haven't changed, really- I still love my AK- it's just that there is such a huge variety! I just don't know where to stop!!

[sharpdressedscot]

You can't stop! You can never stop! It's a perpetual need!!! Perpetual!!!

[Semiomniscient]

I have yet to see any reactions that I would classify as negative.

I only wear a "traditional" tartan kilt and have all my life. No one has ever said anything negative about it to my face (although some of those ignorant folks do give the normal "whaaa?" looks). However, concerning the Utilikilts... I've heard negative things said about them, but I know that none that I overheard were going to make a negative remark to the person wearing them. It's not typical that some one is comfortable enough to criticize a stranger about their mode of dress, but more are comfortable in complimenting.
Personally, I don't like the look of the Utilikilts. I think pockets on a kilt look weird... And don't get me wrong, I'm all for solid color kilts--that's just as Scottish as tartan kilts. But just because I am against Utilikilts as "Highland Attire", I'm not going to go up to someone at the Highland Games in Louisiana or Stone Mountain and tell them they aren't wearing Scottish attire. It's you're own thing I suppose. My biggest issue with the UK's is when they are passed off as Scottish dress.

[Bugbear]

...
It's not typical that some one is comfortable enough to criticize a stranger about their mode of dress, but more are comfortable in complimenting.

Welcome to X Marks the Scot.

Don't forget that people may be laughing at those who don't quite fit in in their way of dress. In another thread ridicule was said to be "The Perfect Crime..."
Here's a link to the post which is in a thread about white tie events in a kilt.
https://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/showthread.php?p=500413
And I'm just joking with you a little. That post is by MacMillan of Rathdown, and he is a very knoledgable member of the forum. Hope you enjoy it here.

[Semiomniscient]

Hehe...
It's true though. If you follow the rules, you don't really get that much attention. I think the whole reason some things are done is because it's breaking the rules... (leather kilts for example). They look like they're worn for shock effect. :-)

[sharpdressedscot]

Yeah, but sometimes breaking the rules is a fun thing to do!! Muahahaha!!

Besides I love to have a leather kilt!

[Semiomniscient]

Sure, people love leather pants too. But you won't catch me wearing any! ;-)
I also think there might be a difference between rule breaking and not playing by the rules. For instance, someone wearing a ultilikilt doesn't have to follow any of the Highland Dress "rules" because they aren't wearing Highland dress, so it's all a matter of whatever they want, unconstrained even by tradition.

[DWFII]

Again, this thread is supposedly about "perceptions." So in that context whether you're playing by the rules or not doesn't really matter except in the perceptions it creates.

The bottom line is that someone wearing a traditional kilt is seen as within a cultural mainstream, especially if it's done properly; and someone wearing a leather kilt or a Utilikilt is just seen as odd or deliberately ostentatious.

Maybe...to the casual observer particularly in this country (and I am/was among them)...the traditional kilt is seen as honouring something--the past, your heritage, the culture of the Highlands (regardless of how romanticized that has been); whereas contemporary kilts are seen as dishonouring something, ie. social norms and cultural acceptance.

It has, as has been expressed here, an element of nose-thumbing or flaunting, doesn't it?

[The Wizard of BC]

Gentlemen,

May I quote the original question of this thread;

"Do those of you who own both contemporary and more traditional tartan kilts notice a substantial difference in reactions from strangers based on the type of kilt you're wearing?"

The overriding perception of this forum is one of respect and courtesy to our fellow members.

I myself pulled out of further postings on this thread because although I wear both Traditional style kilts and my own Contemporary style kilts I thought it unfair to compare the reactions I get because of the similarities of the two.

We now have people who wear only Traditional style kilts making statements like.

"whereas contemporary kilts are seen as dishonouring something, ie. social norms and cultural acceptance."

and

"I think the whole reason some things are done is because it's breaking the rules... (leather kilts for example). They look like they're worn for shock effect. :-)"

I for one take umbrage at statements such as these because they are personal opinions that do not offer an answer to the original question and may be seen as inflammatory.

May we please bring this back to answering the original question and do so in a manner that respects the spirit of this forum.

[DWFII]

sorry about the dupe.