Contemporary vs. Traditional Kilt Perceptions?

[Bugbear]

Actually the difference it makes is in me. In a UK I feel one way. In a traditional kilt yet another. Maybe, that's what makes the difference in the way individual respond to me.

Yes, that is part of the point I was trying to make. The other side of that is that on some level you do sense that people are responding in one way or another to what you are wearing, and what you are wearing along with your kilt.

If someone starts hounding you about how your kilt isn't right by their standards, or likewise, that you are offending them by wearing something, that will effect you. How you respond to the sense that you are being ridiculed, as in "The Perfect Crime", is mostly up to you. Though, I would suggest that you can't fully overcome someone's negativity or ridicule by ignoring it with a grin. You're also dealing with feedback from your own perceptions and reactions in other people. It's not always so clear what the origin of a reaction to your kilt truely is. It might just be that someone doesn't like the style of shirt you're wearing, and they link that to your kilt somewhere in their mind.


Also, I'm not sure who highlander_Daz was responding to with "!!!," but I guess I have to asume it was the grave robbing comment...

[sharpdressedscot]

But should you really worry if you wear your Utilikilt or another contemporary kilt and offend someone? If they don't like it they don't have to buy it and wear it.

[Nick the DSM]

how could they offend someone and whom? are they offending kilties to wear a non traditional or pants wearers by wearing a "skirt"?

[The Wizard of BC]

If the proper term for those who wear the kilt is "Kilties". Then is is logical that the correct term for those who wear pants is,,,,,,,,,,,,,wait for it,,,,,,,,,,,"Panties"!!

[fluter]

If the proper term for those who wear the kilt is "Kilties". Then is is logical that the correct term for those who wear pants is,,,,,,,,,,,,,wait for it,,,,,,,,,,,"Panties"!!

Well done, that lad.

[Nick the DSM]

If the proper term for those who wear the kilt is "Kilties". Then is is logical that the correct term for those who wear pants is,,,,,,,,,,,,,wait for it,,,,,,,,,,,"Panties"!!

dont get yer panties in a bunch!

[646guy]

I find that, in general, it has less to do with the style of kilt I am wearing as it does with the overall appearance and style I am trying to portray to the public with the accessories I choose to accompany the kilt.

I read through everyone's comments and this is the best answer that I have found and the one that I most readily agree with. In a UK, most people will look, some will comment, but for the most part, people don't say much. Those that do say something want to know where it is, where I got it, how much, etc. I mean I am a big burly, ex rugby player with a shaved head so not that many people want to risk pissing me off when I'm in a UK but there's more general interest because they haven't seen anything like it and it's NOT a traditional kilt.

As for a tartan, I do get asked more about my background, upbringing, etc, because this is the kilt that people have come to know and expect. Even if wear my big chunky boots and a t-shirt with it, they do ask more about the ancestral side of the kilt more than anything.

[Brewboy]

I only have a UK, and am just getting into tartans. Having said that, I've experienced every single reaction described in this thread while wearing my UK. I almost always wear it the same way, with collared shirt, kilt hose, and black dress shoes (occasionally I wear hiking boots).

I have had people ask me about my ancestry, ask if I play the pipes, compliment me, ask me about my undergarments, or lack thereof, etc. One night a guy driving buy yelled, "Nice skirt you fairy!" then a group of female art students swooned over the kilt asking if I was Scottish, then a group of 30 something Scots asked where I got it and where they could get one, then a 60 something Scot in a military kilt yelled at me, saying "That's not a kilt, that's a f***ing shammy! You wipe the f***ing windows with that thing!" All these reactions in one night.

I guess my point is, regardless of what others think or how they react, I'm not going to stop wearing my UK. Nor will it keep me from venturing further into more traditional kilts if I end up liking them.

My two cents.

[sharpdressedscot]

A shammy?? He called it a shammy? Wow, I haven't heard that one.

[Raphael]

To a commoners, there isn't much difference between a traditional and contemporary one. They are all kilts to them. The difference appears on some kilties' minds. To me, a kilt is a kilt, disregard of its origin.