Where does costume begin?

[Drac]

Good day all,

With approaching Holloween and a couple other reasons I've been wondering where the kilt is used as a costume piece?

I've always tried to stay away from cultural and religious based costumes for Holloween but more and more they are seen. I try to avoid ones like native American, the Rabbi, and other such by personal choice. I even felt a little awkward when wearing a priest outfit to a Tarts and Vicors party even though it was appropriate.

So I starting thinking about it. We view the kilt as both a cultural symbol of Scotland but also as a garment to be worn as an everyday one. Does it belittle the kilt when it is used in a costume such as Steampunk? Us Rennies wear kilts within a (relative) historical context but when you boil it down it is a costume.

The flip side is if it is not a garmet where does that leave it? To only be worn while engaged specifically Scottish events? Does that not regulate it to a simular place that other historical garments such lederhosen? They (and other such) have fallen so far in disuse that they have turned into costumes.

So where does this stand with you?

Jim

[Geoff Withnell]

Most emphatically NOT a costume for me. I was told I could wear my kilt to work Monday, since people were going to be in costume. Normally the company dress code requires suit and tie. I will not being wearing my kilt. That would undermine my whole contention that it is not a costume, but another legitimate garment choice.

[Tobus]

I don't mind the kilt being used as part of a costume, a long as it doesn't make people see it as ridiculous or corny. Wearing the kilt as part of a costume isn't any more belittling to the kilt than it is for trousers when they are part of a costume.

That said, I would hope that we ambassadors of the kilt are always keeping it in high regard and remembering that public perception is often shaped by how we wear it. Many people outside Scotland do not know the kilt in its native, original context. So if we want people to take it seriously as a cultural dress, we should be fairly respectful in wearing it. A little liberty is acceptable.

[Jock Scot]

Not that Halloween is a big deal over here, but if I were to go to a Halloween type event, it would be an occasion where I would not wear the kilt.

[Mipi]

Most emphatically NOT a costume for me. I was told I could wear my kilt to work Monday, since people were going to be in costume. Normally the company dress code requires suit and tie. I will not being wearing my kilt. That would undermine my whole contention that it is not a costume, but another legitimate garment choice.

Couldn't agree more...

[Chas]

Most emphatically NOT a costume for me. I was told I could wear my kilt to work Monday, since people were going to be in costume. Normally the company dress code requires suit and tie. I will not being wearing my kilt. That would undermine my whole contention that it is not a costume, but another legitimate garment choice.

Could not have put it better myself.

Regards

Chas

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Here's the question: are you dressing up, or are you dressing up as something? That , to me, defines whether or not it is a costume.

A kilt is a garment. Period. It is a type of clothing, in the same way that a shirt, a pair of pants, or a cap are articles of clothing.

Just like shirts, pants, and caps can all be part of a costume, so too can a kilt be part of a costume.

Are you dressing up as Bonnie Prince Charlie for Halloween? Then a kilt will be part of your costume.

Are you doing a parody of Mel Gibson as Braveheart for your Halloween party? Then a kilt will be part of your costume.

When you put on your kilt with shirt and tie, and Argyle jacket, to attend your church's Kirkin' service, are you wearing a costume? Or when you put on your kilt with a golf shirt and day sporran to go for a nice stroll through your neighborhood, are you putting on a costume? In both cases, no, you are simply wearing clothing.

I do admit that a lot of the Ren-Fair style outfits we see at Highland Games and other Scottish functions here in the US do cross the line into costume. I'm just not sure what to do about it.

[cruiser348]

Personally, I draw the distinction based on whether the kilt is part of a costume, or is it the costume. I see no issue with dressing as an historical figure or fictional character that would wear a kilt, but don't agree with the costume being nothing but "the guy wearing a kilt."

As far as ren fairs I lump that with celtic events. Eventhough as normally warn a kilt might not be historically accurate, the event itself isn't exactly a living history event. With something like this I simply consider it dressing for the event.

[Peter Crowe]

Most emphatically NOT a costume for me. I was told I could wear my kilt to work Monday, since people were going to be in costume. Normally the company dress code requires suit and tie. I will not being wearing my kilt. That would undermine my whole contention that it is not a costume, but another legitimate garment choice.

Well said Sir!

I never wear my kilt as part of a Hallowe'en costume precisely because it is the national dress of my country, therefore the kilt is simultaneously both a traditional and contemporary form of clothing.

[Drac]

Thanks for your folks view.

It wasn't just Holloween, just got me thinking. There are many reasons to dress up that my wife and I participate or want to participate in. Such as the Ren Fairs and Steampunk.

Yes we're geeks. We can live with that.

It is interesting that the same argument is used for both for and against that it is a garment.

I know there will be all levels of what is appropriate from "Scottish men, in Scotland, at a Scottish event only" to "60's hippie in a tie-dyed kilt is ok" but thank you for the curtious responses to an honest question.

Jim