I'm a poser?

[bunchdescendant]

You're worse than a poser, you're a... you're a Trekkie.

The proper term is "Trekker."

I should know-I have several friends that have better uniforms and props than were worn/used on the shows. True followers of the genre.

Ray

[GDub]

So those of us who only wear kilts to Scottish functions and similar affairs are posers then? ...

IMHO, an American who ONLY wears the kilt to Scottish events is indeed a poser. To me it's like a "cowboy" who only wears western clothes to a rodeo or a "punk rocker" who only goes punk to punk events. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is what it is:

Poseur

[Ancienne Alliance]

I emailed my esteemed colleague Jock Scot just the other day with a question that revolved around ancestry and mothers and fathers lineage that basically amounted to, when I wear my clan tartan kilt, am I being a poser? I liked his response, and I'll try and paraphrase it.

If I were to visit Fort William and wear my clan kilt every day for a week, the locals would take little notice that I was wearing a kilt, let alone what clan it was. Furthermore (and I think I have this right), only fellow clansmen would recognize the tartan. No one else would.

If I were to visit Fort William and wear two different tartans, alternative every other day or maybe every two days, it might get noticed, and a few local hardcores might ask me about it. If I have a reasonable explanation, it would probably slide.

But if I were to visit Fort William and wear a different tartan every day, then I'd be a major poser and maybe even the topic of derisive conversation at the local pubs.

Wow ! This is VERY precious information !

Thank you for sharing it .


Best,

Robert

[Bugbear]

IMHO, an American who ONLY wears the kilt to Scottish events is indeed a poser. To me it's like a "cowboy" who only wears western clothes to a rodeo or a "punk rocker" who only goes punk to punk events. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is what it is:

Poseur

All right then, I have been a poser. My kilt wearing tapered off so much over the last year or so that it was finally just to get a picture and go to WalMart and have the pictures put on a CD. I think that was about every couple of months.

I have never been a daily kilt wearer, but I did put a huge amount of time and effort into putting together a good looking daywear outfit, as well as, learning about the Highland attire.

[Highlander31]

No Alan, you are not a poser. If you wore a kilt once a year you still would not be a poser. IMHO. While a kilt represents different things to different people, it is first and foremost a piece of clothing, no different than a suit, pair of jeans, or sweatpants.

What the non-kilted do not understand, is the kilt is a comfortable and versatile garment (not to mention cost effective.) For example, when I had to travel for business, depending on the assignment, a week on the road would require a minimum of three wool suits (usually four) at $700,00 to $800.00 each, sometimes a wool sport jacket at $300.00 with a pair of wool trousers at $125.00 was also needed, and once in a while a tux. Plus the usual accessories, dress shirts, ties, shoes, etc. All of that could be replaced by two tanks, a black argyle, a tweed argyle with waistcoat and a pc if needed. Changing the look is as simple as changing the tie and hose combination for the day's business, while a casual evening would require only removing the tie, or switching to a casual shirt. One of my sporrans is a versatile black elk semi formal sporran from Craigie Originals which can be worn for business, casually, and in a pinch, with a pc. My five suit garment bag would have definitely been lighter.

So Alan, you are not a poser. Instead sir, I would say you are a frugal man with style. Just my two cents worth.

[cessna152towser]

No, the wearing of a tartan kilt is always a welcome sight in the eyes of the native Scot. Either worn as part of a formal outfit or worn casually. Glengarry or Balmoral Hats are OK if you are a piper, even a flat cap for a less formal situation. In some of the tougher housing estates you might attract some unwanted attention if you wear a full wedding or piper's outfit, while wearing a kilt casually in the same place would be very welcome and you would get much encouragement. The one situation where you will be perceived as a poser, people will assume you are an American tourist and may even laugh at you, is if you strut around town in your kilt and wearing feathers in your hat.
Interestingly enough, an American based writer in my most recent clan society communique made the observation that kilts were usually only worn by Americans while in Scotland and by Scots while in America!

[Kid Cossack]

Isn't the determinative part of being a poser not so much what you do, but why you do it?

"I am wearing this kilt because of my Scottish heritage, or to find out about Scots attire, or to compete in a Highland Games heavy athletics event, or to be comfortable, or to express admiration for the Scots' influence upon America." Those are non-poser reasons.

"I am wearing this kilt so people will think (incorrectly) that I'm a Scotsman." That's a poser reason.

Or am I all wet here?

[macwilkin]

IMHO, an American who ONLY wears the kilt to Scottish events is indeed a poser. To me it's like a "cowboy" who only wears western clothes to a rodeo or a "punk rocker" who only goes punk to punk events. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is what it is:

Poseur

I'm sorry, but I disagree. An American wearing a kilt to a Scottish event, such as a Burns Supper or a Highland games, isn't necessarily posing as something he's not. For many of us, we are displaying pride in our ancestry and recognising the contributions the Scots have made to this nation. President Woodrow Wilson, himself of Scottish ancestry once said:

"Every line of strength in American history is one colored in Scottish blood."

Regards,

Todd

[macwilkin]

Isn't the determinative part of being a poser not so much what you do, but why you do it?

"I am wearing this kilt because of my Scottish heritage, or to find out about Scots attire, or to compete in a Highland Games heavy athletics event, or to be comfortable, or to express admiration for the Scots' influence upon America." Those are non-poser reasons.

"I am wearing this kilt so people will think (incorrectly) that I'm a Scotsman." That's a poser reason.

Or am I all wet here?

Well said, Kid!

T.

[KFCarter]

No, the wearing of a tartan kilt is always a welcome sight in the eyes of the native Scot. Either worn as part of a formal outfit or worn casually.

I'd like to second that... we have lots of international visitors in Savannah and I've now had three instances of native Scots approaching me when I've been kilted; always pleasant encounters that start with something along the line of "how nice to see a kilt worn here".