Would you wear a casual kilt to Scottish Games?

[erudite]

or should I rent a traditional one for the occassion? I have a USA Kilt, but I think it might bring me a lot of grief. Any thoughts?

[Alan H]

Well, I'll be wearing my USA Kilts philabeg to games in June, and then when Bear finishes up my MacNaughton, 4-yard PV kilt, I'll be wearing that.

If anybody doesn't like that, well, we'll just have to have a little discussion about it!

[Buddha]

or should I rent a traditional one for the occassion? I have a USA Kilt, but I think it might bring me a lot of grief. Any thoughts?

looking around for the candid camera...

wear your USAK. you wont be getting any **** from anyone unless you have it on backwards (and then I would laugh at you).

[Raphael]

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3182

[Aaron]

Raphael, , that never ceases to shock and appall.

Table cloths...

[Alan H]

The table cloths are truly stupid.

The kids with pants and kilts...well. They're probably bought the kilt at the Fair and are too freaked out to take their pants off.

The guy with the kilt on sideways....well, sheesh. What, nobody here had ever made a mistake before?

...but the tablecloths. The tablecloths. OK, THAT is stupid. Mucho stupid.

[Ugly Bear]

I've worn a Utilikilt Workman's to the games. I got no grief for it. In fact, when told that it holds a 6-pack, even the traditionalists were impressed.

[macwilkin]

It's all in how you wear it -- if you wear it & it looks good on you, then grand! Believe me, I've seen a lof of people walking around games in traditionals who DO NOT know how to wear a kilt, and it looks terrible!

Cheers,

Todd

[Aaron]

Ugly Bear wrote:

In fact, when told that it holds a 6-pack, even the traditionalists were impressed.

Well, who hasn't needed that feature at one time or another.

Personally, I could use it most often on days that end in 'y'.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Can (should) you wear a "casual kilt" to the Games? I know you asked specifically about a USAK, but since others may be reading this thread after seeing the subject line, I thought I'd address the question in general.

If by "casual kilt" you mean one of the 4-yard options offered by the major kilt firms (Lochcarron, Hector Russell, House of Edgar, etc.) which is essentially a standard traditional kilt, for all intents and purposes, just with less cloth, and more often than not machine sewn, then I say yeah, go for it. Wear it to the games. You'll likely find the kilt more comfortable for long-term outdoor wear than a heavy 8-yard kilt.

If by "casual kilt" you mean a non-traditional kilt, like a poly-viscose or other less expensive option that many people are offering, my answer is... it depends.

Let me say it upfront. You see lots of things being worn at Highland Games. Lots... And not all of it good. If your question is, if I wear my non-traditional kilt, will people look at me funny? No, probably not, because they will be distracted by the guy wearing a Pizza-Hut table cloth great kilt with a Viking helment, Teva sandals, and Biker vest.

But remember also, you are at an event geared toawrds celebrating your Scottish heritage. You'll also see people proudly displaying their traditional kilts, in some truly splendid outfits, that they spent their hard-earned dollars on and that they are truly proud of.

So, if you have a nice traditional kilt to wear, you'll probably wish that you had worn it by the end of the day. That being said, if you don't have one, and don't want to buy or rent one for the occasion, your casual kilt will fit in to the event just fine. My only reservation is that it be one of the upper end casual kilts. If what you are wearing looks like merely a cheap impersonation of a traditional kilt (we all know what I mean here) you may draw some wayward glances. But I think, over all, people will see that you are trying as long as you show, by how you accessorize it, that you are treating the garment with respect and dignity.

Have fun!
Matt