What proportions of Traditional/Contempory kilts do you see?

[Jock Scot]

This thread follows on from another current thread which got me wondering on a slightly different train of thought. So what do you see, out and about, in the wardrobe? All traditional kilts, all contempory kilts, 50-50 trad/mod, so what proportion? Just wondering.

Me? I have yet to set eyes on a real, in the wild, contempory kilt and believe me I would remember if I had!

[ForresterModern]

Hi Jock.

As I said in the other thread, during active cycling season I fairly frequently see my contemporarily kilted friendly bike mechanic (Tom, formerly aka Bikeolounger here at xmarks), maybe once or twice have seen a utilikilt on a construction worker in our new and still (or rather again) building housing development neighborhood, but otherwise they are all traditional appearing tartan kilts and usually on folks either dressed in THCD semi-dress daywear or dress evening-wear clearly at or headed to/from an event. Occasionally I encounter the otherwise casually dressed (sweater, polo shirt, t-shirt, etc...) kiltie seemingly just out for the day.

Methinks, my dear friend Jock, that you simply live a few hundred miles too far north and a few thousand miles too far east of the typical range of the still elusive but more common free range North American contemporary kiltie, the UK species having only in recent years escaped captivity and been introduced into those new environs and likely still so sparsely distributed that they would be more likely encountered living a toehold existence in densely populated areas like London and the other major cities rather than the heelands, where they are still being successfully outcompeted by the traditional kilt. A Darwinian viewpoint on the natural history of the contemporary kilt, I guess.

jeff

[gpmeakin]

The only place I've ever seen a contemporary kilt is at the Highland Games.

[Joshua]

I've seen plenty of contemporary kilts, although I can only remember maybe a half-dozen outside of ren faires and highland games.

However, I can easily say that at least 75% of the time, when I see a kilt out in public, even when tartan, it's being worn traditionally, i.e. with combat boots, scrunched hose, t-shirts.

[Tobus]

It depends on where I am.

At a Highland Games, I will usually see about 85-90% traditional kilts (or at least inexpensive attempts at them) and only 10-15% modern-style kilts.

But when I'm in Austin at their "Celtic Festival", it's the opposite. The vast majority are modern-style kilts (virtually all of those are Utilikilts), and only a few people like myself are in traditional kilts.

At Renaissance Festivals, it seems to be mostly traditional kilts, and poor attempts at belted plaids. Very few modern-style kilts there.

But I virtually never see kilts worn "out and about" in my area. They are as rare as hens' teeth. In fact, besides myself, I have only ever seen two other people wearing kilts in normal everyday life. Both were modern kilts, or at least worn in a modern fashion (boots and scrunched socks with a t-shirt, and no sporran).

[creagdhubh]

Jock,

I tend to see more traditional kilts versus contemporary, but I think much of this particular type of observation depends highly on what 'event' you are attending. Whilst in the Highlands, naturally, I see only traditional kilts - even at various Highland Games I usually attend (Newtonmore, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, and Lonach for example) where there is obviously an abundance of kilt-wearers. I seldom see any kilt-wearers 'out and about' around my town, but sometimes I might see several wearing traditional kilts (not including the staff, who are traditionally kilted) at my local Scottish pub, Nicholson's, which is always nice to observe.

It has only been here in America, where I have seen chaps wearing contemporary style kilts, and it seems the numbers are growing. These are seen typically at 'Celtic Festivals' and Highland Games in my part of the midwest. Though I will say, the contemporary kilts are consistently outnumbered by the traditional; I would estimate on average, 80/20. And in my opinion (not trying to start WWIII here!), I am quite fond of that ratio.

Cheers,

[thescot]

Like Tobus, I rarely see kilts out and about, unless I'm in one and pass a mirror.

I rarely see anythig but traditional kilts when I do see them, e.g., at the Burns Supper, St. Paddy's parade, kilted outings, games, etc. I see modern (i.e., Utilikilt styles) on places where utilikilts is selling them occassionally, like some of the games.

I, for the record, only wear traditional wool tartans.

[Sir William]

It depends on where I am.

At a Highland Games, I will usually see about 85-90% traditional kilts (or at least inexpensive attempts at them) and only 10-15% modern-style kilts.

But when I'm in Austin at their "Celtic Festival", it's the opposite. The vast majority are modern-style kilts (virtually all of those are Utilikilts), and only a few people like myself are in traditional kilts.

At Renaissance Festivals, it seems to be mostly traditional kilts, and poor attempts at belted plaids. Very few modern-style kilts there.

But I virtually never see kilts worn "out and about" in my area. They are as rare as hens' teeth. In fact, besides myself, I have only ever seen two other people wearing kilts in normal everyday life. Both were modern kilts, or at least worn in a modern fashion (boots and scrunched socks with a t-shirt, and no sporran).

I would say this is much the same experience for me. Mind you, I attend several Highland Games, Celtic Festivals, and other similar events throughout the year where kilts are to be expected. However, when out and about on the street I rarely see a kilt of any kind and if I do I'm more likely to see a modern canvas kilt than a traditional wool kilt.

[tulloch]

Outside of those festivals I have seen two individuals in "contemporary" kilts - one at a casual setting of my fellow band members and one going into the subway in Boston, Massachusetts. Other than that I have seen a few kilts in this area that we would call traditional - mostly worn with sweaters or Argyle jackets and proper hose with garters.

[ccga3359]

Depends on if I look in the mirror afore leaving the house. Rarely, if ever see a kilt out for casual wearing. When I'm out on a kilt night or Highland games it's mostly traditional kilts worn very casualy. When I wear my traditional kilt I'm wearing it dressed up (shirt/tie, argyle) even if on a drunken kilt night. Proportion wise in general 85% traditional, 15% modern. Me out on the town 60% traditional, 40% modern.