Kilting, the final fashion frontier?

[James Hood]

The concept of the whole "world of 21st century kilting" intrigues this writer, whose first kilt dates only to 2004. At that time, the concept of an ultra-active truly world-wide kilt market and forum e-community was not even a "possibility" in this mind.

The fact of there "coming to be" in the brief time since, so many suppliers of off-the-rack, solid-colour, casual, construction, cargo, acrylic, cotton, leather, ultra-casual, state, organization, school, steampunk, alternate-fashion, other-country tartans...

...kilts (then, add in cargo pockets, camouflage, hammer loops, snap-detachable same-fabric sporrans, mixed materials, studs and embroidered makers' names and emblems), strikes this writer as "kilting moving at the speed of light."

As observed on the previous page, the appearance of, "a 20th century American in a suit," could include everything from dressing like Teddy Roosevelt to a 20s zoot suit to a 70s leisure suit to The Donald in an impeccably tailored contemporary cut in a shade of blue.

Scarce wonder there "are" Kilt Police. While some may indeed be self- aggrandizing or even entry-level malicious (schoolyard bullies with a new prey?), "keeping up with 21st century kilting" appears to be at minimum, chasing a metaphorical moving target, with the "wider game rules" continually not only changing, but expanding into previously unexplored territory.

Kilting, the final fashion frontier...?

Surely, some will even be honestly exasperated and flustered, seeing their beloved "tradition" being carried away by an ignorant, enthusiastic rabble without rules or respect there for.

In the last half year, these eyes have marveled at gentlemen formally kilted for weddings complete to laced ghillies and others in hunting, construction, hiking, with tees, polos, sweaters, biker jackets, fedoras, berets, balmorals, stocking caps, hiking boots, sandals, athletic shoes, combat boots and oxfords.

Some day soon, a modern and knowledgeable / hip Ms. or Mr. Kilt-Manners will succumb to the inspiration and (likely e-) pen a tome on "how to kilt" for events as diverse as a bar mtzvah, motorcycle club charity event dinner, super bowl party, pub opening, Chinese New Year, block party, wilderness hike, Hawaiian wedding on the beach, barn dance, Ren faire, gay house-warming, world series opener, bachelor party....

"It really blows my mind," to quote lyrics from an auld hippie-era song.

An exciting, fun, joyous, confusing, amusing, exhilirating time to be kilting!

[Downunder Kilt]

There is a major problem with people trying to compare a kilt with other forms of clothing e.g. a suit, sports clothes. The kilt is the national “dress”of Scotland, suits etc. belong to no country. I would not like to imagine the outrage if what has been done to the kilt was done to the national dress of countries such as India, Israel, Fiji and a myriad of other countries.

Why do manufactures call these new creations or adaptions, a kilt, is it that they are too lazy to think up and promote a new name, or are they cashing in on a well established mode of dress that gives them some legitimacy to their creations?

The kilt is the tradition of a country, yet many yell Kilt Police when people voice their opinion that certain aspects of that tradition are being taken to places a bit too far.

I have no problems with the new creations being called kilts, nor do I have a problem with the various levels of quality and entry points of kilts.

My beef is that people who wear these alternative styles get upset when advised that they are not dressed in a traditional style or they ask for help with traditional styling, then get upset when they do not hear what they wanted to hear.

[Newfoundlander]

The kilt, or a mens pleated skirt, dates back to ancient egypt at ca. 1425 BCE...

New fashion?

[Ryan Ross]

The kilt, or a mens pleated skirt, dates back to ancient egypt at ca. 1425 BCE...

New fashion?

That's the thing- A "kilt" is a fairly specific entity and is, beyond a doubt, Scottish in origin.

The idea that almost any kneeish length "manskirt" is seen by many eyes as a kilt is kind of disturbing to me.

[chrisupyonder]

That's the thing- A "kilt" is a fairly specific entity and is, beyond a doubt, Scottish in origin.

The idea that almost any kneeish length "manskirt" is seen by many eyes as a kilt is kind of disturbing to me.

My better half, a few months ago was going to say to me "are you putting your skirt on today", but thought better of it as she was saying it and it came out as SKILT.
So how about a new word for a male skirt-like garment which is not female and not traditional Scottish national dress? SKILT.
And yes, the kllt was worn in the Highlands of Scotland long before before it was national dress. If the USA suddenly decided that blue jeans were to be the US national dress, would that mean no one else could wear them?
Also, many other countries national dress is very elaborate and not practical for daily wear, whereas the kilt is a very practical and versatile garment.

Chris.

[Bugbear]

I am glad to specify that the garment I wear is a non-traditional kilt. It is fine with me if a traditional kilt wearer tells me that my kilt is not traditional,and not Scottish; after all, it isn't. "Inspired by the kilt" or something kilt related is a different matter, and the historical entry of the word "kilt" into the English language as a generic way to describe a garment is also a different matter.

It isn't fair to equate "traditional" to "kilt cop," and I know first hand there have been bullies in both the traditional and the modern camps.

It takes too much to make timely posts in these kinds of threads and get all the wording right; I doubt anyone reads it anyway.

[Chirs]

I am glad to specify that the garment I wear is a non-traditional kilt. It is fine with me if a traditional kilt wearer tells me that my kilt is not traditional,and not Scottish; after all, it isn't. "Inspired by the kilt" or something kilt related is a different matter, and the historical entry of the word "kilt" into the English language as a generic way to describe a garment is also a different matter.

It isn't fair to equate "traditional" to "kilt cop," and I know first hand there have been bullies in both the traditional and the modern camps.

It takes too much to make timely posts in these kinds of threads and get all the wording right; I doubt anyone reads it anyway.

Nope, haven't read a word of it.

[Bugbear]

Nope, haven't read a word of it.

Exactly.

[CMcG]

James Hood, it is indeed a very interesting time to be a kilt-wearer!

Bugbear, I actually do read your posts. By the way, your self-effacing nature would be a real asset in Hong Kong as it is considered more polite to be humble.

As for the linguistic side of this debate, I defer to a higher authority. According to the OED, using "kilt" for any male unbirfucated garment, with pleats in the rear, and of approximately knee length is an acceptable use of the English word. Perhaps the more specific word for the traditional Scottish kilt would then have to be the Gaelic "philabeg" (sic)?

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KILT: noun
"A part of the modern Highland dress, consisting of a skirt or petticoat reaching from the waist to the knee: it is usually made of tartan cloth, and is deeply plaited round the back and sides; hence, any similar article of dress worn in other countries."

Oxford English Dictionary. Second edition, 1989; online version September 2011. <http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/103411>; accessed 17 October 2011. Earlier version first published in New English Dictionary, 1901. Bold added.

The noun is derived from the verb "to kilt" thusly:

KILT: verb
"1. trans. To gird up; to tuck up (the skirts) round the body. Also with up.

4. trans. To gather in vertical pleats, fastened at the top and free at the bottom, as in a kilt."

Ibid. <http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/103412>; accessed 17 October 2011.

[Riverkilt]

Some of us recall when women in the city first dared to wear pants to work - and the resulting fashion boom in pantsuits.

I only hope that men are on the edge of the same breakthrough - where we can choose bifurcated or unbifurcated attire for work and about town.

We shall see....we shall see...