what is your answer for wearing a kilt

[O'neal]

I am curious as to what response member of this forum give when asked "why do you wear a kilt?". When I am the only one at an event or gathering I can't quite find a logical answer that non kilt wearer would understand. Not all of us can provide a direct lineage or specific ancestral relationship to wearing a kilt. I never grew up around kilts but just as the sensation I get when hearing the bagpipes; it touches my inner man and calls to me. I bought my first kilt three months ago at age 56. I now have three and look for oportunities to wear them. I have dabled witht he bagpipes for 20 years but not with other pipers so kilts were not shown to me during this time. Only at s parade on St. Paddy's day would I see kilts. Needless to say it's hard for me to explain. I would love to hear any responsed you distinguished members would provide and maybe it will help me formulate a response that makes sense to the unkilted.

[Bigkahuna]

I just look soooo darn good in them.

[Nighthawk]

Very simple answer, my friend. "Because I felt like it." Nothing fancy, just a straightforward reason. Or if you want a more specific answer- "All the women here are wearing pants, and I felt like dressing like a man tonight." Or if I feel like being contrary, I'll simply respond "Why not?" or "Why are you wearing that?" Those are a few of mine.

[Monkey@Arms]

I know what you mean. Not having the heritage card to play can sometimes make it hard to explain. Depending on the circumstances, my answer to the "why are you wearing a kilt?" question sometimes is simply: "Because I can." Or you could use the mock-boastful: "Some guys just need more room." If asked if I'm Scottish (which I'm not) I've been known to reply "Only from the waist down" or "The only Scotch in my blood came from a bottle last night." Of course you can always give them the straight answer about how comfortable and cool kilts are, and how anyone can wear one (the "you don't need to be a cowboy to wear jeans" analogy.) Oh yeah, don't forget the always useful "because they have laws against public nudity." (Stolen from another member of this forum.)

Best regards,

Jake

[KFCarter]

I wear it because it is a great garment, with a great history... and it's the second most comfortable thing I've ever put on my body.

[Nighthawk]

I just thought of another answer that I sometimes give. When I feel like giving a good answer that is not related to my heritage, I tell the questioner "I am a competetive swordsman, and the kilt offers less restricted movement. I got used to wearing them at practice, and in the ring, and have come to appreciate and enjoy the comfort as a result." There is seldom any other question about the kilt after that- the conversation switches to my unusual sport. I have beaten the snot out of several coworkers with cardboard tubes because of this line of conversation.

[Rawlinson]

... and it's the second most comfortable thing I've ever put on my body.

If the first most comfortable "thing" is an article of clothing, what is it? It seems like you left that open for questioning on purpose.

The only time I've been privileged enough to wear a kilt, I either explained it with comfort or masculinity (kind of like in the Round 2 First Place Utilikilt mockumercial here, minus the assault)

[dfmacliam]

I figured I don't need to explain to anyone why I wear anything.. But because of my Celtic heritage, I felt wearing a of would be a way of paying hommage to my ancestors, even if most of them are Irish.

Kilts are becoming more universal now, whereas, just about every part of the world has a registered tartan now. So if it becoming universally accepted, why should it be an issue if one chooses to wear a kilt or not? If I have no issues wearing a kilt and you do, why should I not? Because of your insecurities?

[haxtonhouse]

I would be arrested if I didn't have it on!

[Big Homestead]

My quick line is, "I just like wearing kilts."

When they pine me for the "are you really scottish?" I let the guns ablaze with the fact that people of all ethnicity can wear them. But yes, I am a son to the Scots.

I love the "But blacks not a tartan!" Because when I retort "You had better tell the Cornish that!" they usually have no idea who the heck the Cornish are or where Cornwall is.

All in all, I love the questions. It makes me happy to tickle peoples minds into owning one. Kilts are great, and so are the men who wear them!