Contemporary vs. Traditional Kilt Perceptions?

[ghostlight]

Another thread I posted in today made me wonder...

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?

I currently have only UKs, but my tartan jones has been kicked into over-drive by this board and I'm quickly losing the urge to buy more contemporary kilts. Strangers' responses to seeing me in a UK have been overwhelmingly positive. But now I'm wondering how many of my experiences as a kiltie have been colored more by the type of kilt I'm wearing than by the fact that I'm just wearing a kilt.

[Makeitstop]

I have a solid black SK and SWK economy, and I find that they get mostly the same reaction as my two tartan kilts. A few people have said they prefer the colorful ones, but other than that, they get the same treatment.

My only full blown contemporary (black Alphakilt Edinburgh) does seem to get a different reaction much of the time, but not necessarily better or worse. I find when I'm in my Alpha I get a lot more "what exactly is that?" type of responses. And in the couple weeks I've been wearing it I have had several inquiries about where I got it, which seemed like they were at least a little interested in possibly getting one for themselves.

[Bugbear]

Trust me, the only way to not go insane with this question is to find the answer completely on your own.

[SteveB]

I own both contemporary and tartan kilts.
While in an AmeriKilt, (Green, or Black) here in a fairly liberal city, the comments are more "what is it? / is it a skirt?" on the negative side from some men. " Is DKM in town?" on the positive side. Most women recognize it as a kilt.
In my recently acquired Utilikilt (Black basic), most men are "those pockets can hold what?, to 'with enough stuff in them a good fast spin will clear you some serious space on the train." African American young men" I could wear that!". The women want to check out the material, and ask how well it holds the pleats.
In any tartan kilt. Men- " Where are the bagpipes?" " Parade today?" " What is the event?" Men with Scot or Irish names.. " who's wedding/funeral?" " What clan is that?" from the women " NICE kilt", " What tartan is that?" "Is that plaid available in a skirt?"
Tartan kilt with all the accessories: Men ... No comments, move a distance away. Women " Hello, .... many good conversations. And kilt checks! (Sorry Grant.) This especially from 20ish good looking ladies.
I am 57, gray haired, and fat. 45 years kilted.

[ghostlight]

Trust me, the only way to not go insane with this question is to find the answer completely on your own.

A perfect justification when my first tartan order is placed!

"And I bought this one for important sociological research..."

[pakiltedff]

I own both types and I would say the traditional kilt is a little bit more eye catching to strangers than a modern kilt.

[Riverkilt]

Wish I'd kept track for you.

My sense is I get more compliments and questions on my hand sewn tartan kilts. They ooze quality and attract attention.

Living in a tourist area I've often been approached by Scottish tourists when I'm wearing a Utilikilt. They seriously wanna know what it is, and sometimes where to get one.

Same for leather. My RKilts leather and Utilikilts leather kilt get a lot of questions...always admiration though. They also ooze quality.

Ron

[SteveB]

Ghostlight,
Wearing a kilt is sociological research!
I have made the above observations over the last several years. At one time I was keeping a chart going by the comments and the commenter. The above is kind of a summary. Things evolve.. Recently several teen Sub Saharan ancestored males have stopped me to ask about the kilt and its history. I have been given many thumbs up from the teens with the low hanging trousers. All this very very recently.

[Nighthawk]

Ghostlight,
Wearing a kilt is sociological research!
I have made the above observations over the last several years. At one time I was keeping a chart going by the comments and the commenter. The above is kind of a summary. Things evolve.. Recently several teen Sub Saharan ancestored males have stopped me to ask about the kilt and its history. I have been given many thumbs up from the teens with the low hanging trousers. All this very very recently.

I agree totally! Wearing the kilt is a good way to determine the true character of the people around you. The one person I thought would be most supportive, as he claims to believe in individual expression and diversity and all that, in truth turned out to be the most negative person. He has all kinds of piercings and tats and talks about how he will never conform to what other people want, and then he tells me "quit wearing a dress!" every chance he gets. On the other hand, my company owners, whom I always thought of as stuffy conformists, actually get a little upset on the rare occasions that I wear something other than a kilt. One of them has told me that clients have commented that I add a touch of class to the office.

So onto the real topic- I have one Amerikilt in black and I have 7 tartan kilts, and the AK and my saffron get more attention because they're solid colors and people aren't used to that. My tartan kilts seem to be taken more in stride.

[ghostlight]

...The one person I thought would be most supportive, as he claims to believe in individual expression and diversity and all that, in truth turned out to be the most negative person...

Funny you should mention that. The most surprised response (I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say it was negative, just surprised) I've gotten to my UKs was from a guy at work who claims to be very open-minded. He quickly progressed through uncomfortable smirking and then went back to acting normally after a few hours of adjustment time. Now he tells me he thinks it's cool that I have the confidence to wear the kilt.

Some of the people I thought might have been the most shocked made no more mention of it than a smile and a quick compliment.

I've had a few people do a double-take and then tell me they liked my kilt, but they thought I was wearing athletic shorts from a distance because I looked too comfortable (still not sure what that meant).

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