With time more diverse kilt wearing

**NewKilt** · 22nd February 08, 07:33 PM

I have been wearing kilts full time since August of 2005. First of all, let me say that I'm not bragging and do not look down on anyone who wears a kilt only occasionally or for special events. I started wearing kilts because they made living with my multiple disabilities more bearable. And since I no longer work, it's easy for me to wear a kilt every day.

My kilts range from traditional wools made in Scotland to Stillwater wools & acrylics to Amerikilts. But what I've noticed over the last 2.5 years is that my kilt wearing has become more relaxed. When I started out I always wore wool kilt hose, flashes, kilt belt with large buckle, flashes, kilt pin, sporran, and sgian dubh.

These days I make more choices. I may wear a traditional wool with just the sporran plus kilt hose - no flashes, pin, belt, etc. If it's cold enough for a jacket I usually forget the sporran since I can carry what I need in the jacket pockets. When I'm home, I always remove the sporran since I don't need it in the house.

I never thought that I would wear a t-shirt with a kilt, but these days I do if I feel like it. In warm weather I usually wear white tennis shoes with rolled down hose, or crew socks.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that over time you just get more comfortable wearing the kilt. I still have days that I feel like wearing the works, and then days were just the sporran, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes fit my mood.

Anyone else notice that over time you tend to get more casual, and have no problem going out in public in a more casual fashion? One thing I noticed is that when I go out wearing the works, I'll get more questions inquiring if there is a special event. When I go out dressed more casual I'll usually just get comments such as "nice kilt, love your kilt, etc."

Darrell

Darrell

**McMurdo** · 22nd February 08, 07:43 PM

Very true, I find that I do not need to dress it up to the level I once thought was necessary, I think you hit the nail on the head it all comes down to your comfort level, I still occasionally get the question about what event or special occasion I'm attending it happened last week and all I said was it's Wednesday. The woman who asked just said she thought it was great.

**SteveB** · 22nd February 08, 08:11 PM

When I wear a solid color kilt, rolled hose and steel toed sneakers with t-shirt. Barely any comment as it is quite common on the public transportation. Amerikilt, Bear kilts, Freedom kilts, and some Utilikilts, usually with a band t-shirt, sneakers and short hose. Rarely do I see kilt pins, Kilt belts with buckles, traditional sporrans. Mostly belly bags, or nothing.

Wear anything that is a tartan, or pseudo-tartan and a comment or two will crop up. Add hose, tartan flashes, Highly polished shoes/boots, polished belt, polished sporran, coordinated belt buckle and kilt pin, with matching tartan tie, Sgian dubh, and a tam, comments increase significantly. Where is the event?, Nice kilt, what clan?, Where are your pipes?, Do you play in a band? Where is your group performing? Does Scotland have an office (tourist bureau, embassy) nearby? Young women reach out and feel your pleats! All ages of women approach and open conversations.

I wear different kit for different events. Full deal if I am going to church or an important interview/meeting, family event, etc. The American version for the day to day grind.

**McClef** · 23rd February 08, 04:03 AM

The kilt is such a versatile garment and looks good worn with so many different things.

I love dressing up in full fig but of course such opportunities are limited. One of them will be the St David's Day parade in Cardiff next Saturday when I will wear my Welsh PC for the first time - I just hope the weather will be as good as it was last year!

**sharpdressedscot** · 23rd February 08, 07:46 AM

Well so far, I've only dressed casually when I wear my kilt. t-shirt, hose, belt and sporran. I personally don't see the point in wearing all the bells and whistles for just going out for groceries, but that's just me.

**Mael Coluim** · 23rd February 08, 07:53 AM

Yep, I think your kilt observation will follow with most things we do. You become more comfortable in doing it and thus get more relaxed in how it' done. Just don't take up knife or hatchet throwing!

**Chef** · 23rd February 08, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by NewKilt

Anyone else notice that over time you tend to get more casual, and have no problem going out in public in a more casual fashion?

No.

I have been wearing a kilt for over 40 years. Casually (not as casually as some), for business, and for formal, but I would never leave the house without a sporran, I have never worn crew socks and sneakers with a kilt and I don't think I have worn a t-shirt with a kilt more than three or four times in my life. However I am very comfortable wearing a kilt and always have been. I don't think you can equate how comfortable/confident someone is with wearing a kilt with how casually he wears it. I don't think a proper kilt is that casual a garment.

**ccga3359** · 23rd February 08, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Chef

No.

I don't think a proper kilt is that casual a garment.

I have disagree with the kilt snob here

. A kilt with all the trappings is something that it had to evolve into. A 'proper' kilt would be everyday wear with no rules regarding this or that. The Scotsman of yesteryear didn't go hunting for supper in full PC regalia. I'm sure if a particular item had no function he wouldn't wear it. Dress up or dress down if it makes live easier (as I'm sure it does) then all the power to you.

**Jock Scot** · 23rd February 08, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

No.

I have been wearing a kilt for over 40 years. Casually (not as casually as some), for business, and for formal, but I would never leave the house without a sporran, I have never worn crew socks and sneakers with a kilt and I don't think I have worn a t-shirt with a kilt more than three or four times in my life. However I am very comfortable wearing a kilt and always have been. I don't think you can equate how comfortable/confident someone is with wearing a kilt with how casually he wears it. I don't think a proper kilt is that casual a garment.

Hear hear.

**SportBilly** · 23rd February 08, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

I have disagree with the kilt snob here

. A kilt with all the trappings is something that it had to evolve into. A 'proper' kilt would be everyday wear with no rules regarding this or that. The Scotsman of yesteryear didn't go hunting for supper in full PC regalia. I'm sure if a particular item had no function he wouldn't wear it. Dress up or dress down if it makes live easier (as I'm sure it does) then all the power to you.

Speaking as a total newbie, I have to agree. Having wanted a kilt since I was a little boy, I finally got a SWK Nightstalker and Nightstalker sporran and feel totally at ease in them. I've started wearing them around with a casual black shirt and don't think I've ever worn as comfortable an outfit in my life. I also tend to carry a black canvas 'man bag' but still wear my sporran. My wife's family (my own are back in England) tell me that I act as though I've been wearing a kilt all of my life. If I were to wear one formally - which I'm all for doing should the situation arise - I'd doubtless feel as stiff as I would if wearing a dinner suit.

In the meantime, I'm now trying to spread the word locally that my kilt is more comfortable than any pair of jeans/pants I've ever owned.