YOUR reasoning for wearing the kilt?

**denmcdough** · 8th January 10, 04:37 AM

This might be redundant, as there was a recent thread about reasons to wear the kilt. So, my question is: what is YOUR reasoning for wearing the kilt?

I just posted a comment on the thread "Irish Kilt" about my reason...because I want to, it's cool, it's different, it's a conversation piece, the ladies seem to really like it and, I guess, to show my Celtic heritage.

Now, let's do it all again. Fire away!

**OC Richard** · 8th January 10, 04:47 AM

Well I myself am out-of-step with most of the people here, I think, because I'm a piper and to me the wearing of Highland Dress has always been an adjunct of my piping. I put on my kit when I'm going to play somewhere, and take it off when I'm done. I change at the gig if there's a place to do it, as I don't like my kilt getting wrinkled by driving in a car with it.

But I'm a huge devotee to Highland Dress and I've done a lot of reading about it and I have most of the "classic" books on the topic.

At one time, back in the mid 1980's, I could appear fully kitted out in Day Dress, Evening Dress, Military Full Dress, or an 18th century costume. I had WAY too many sporrans and jackets and stuff back then! (Well I still have six or seven sporrans and a like number of jackets etc... so much for "thinning the herd.")

But I've not made that leap to wearing the kilts when I'm not actually playing the pipes, save for those rare times, once every five years or so, when I have to dress up to go to some event where men are expected to be in suits. I haven't owned a suit in decades and I wear Highland Dress on those rare occasions.

But in general the "why" is "because I'm being paid to play the pipes and the client expects me to look the part".

**Jimmy** · 8th January 10, 04:59 AM

Probably like most on this forum, I always wanted to wear a kilt and always found it the most comfortable dress.
Its funny that when wearing the kilt you seem to be a more relaxed person, its almost like some sort of therapy.
Again probably because I am Scottish, I feel intensely patriotic and there is nothing that shows this more than wearing highland dress as many ex-pats and x-markers of Scottish ancestry will testify.
I always feel sorry for those who do not understand the attraction of the kilt and miss out in its pleasures

**Paul** · 8th January 10, 05:56 AM

I mainly wear kilts for a few combined reasons. The main one is that it's a real national symbol of my country, and I'm very glad that the they look so great and destinctive.
Like Jimmy, I feel somewhat partiotic when wearing a kilt due to its links to Scotland's national identitiy in the modern world and I'm very keen on promoting this.

**Drac** · 8th January 10, 06:04 AM

I started with Ren Fairs and got hooked.

Jim

**kiltedwolfman** · 8th January 10, 06:30 AM

I find kilts to be very comfortable, and a type of dress that is also very distinct, just like me.

**Riverkilt** · 8th January 10, 06:36 AM

Comfort, Freedom, and as mentioned Culture/Tradition/Ancestry. Living in the Rezlands where the local Navajo, Hopi, and Paiute often wear their traditional garb it feels good to wear mine. Get many positive comments when I go kilted to Pow-Wows or out wandering the rezlands where culture is respected.

And, kilts seem to attract curious ladies.

**Jack Daw** · 8th January 10, 06:51 AM

I wear the kilt because:

I'm a piper
My ancestors were Scots
My father got me interested in my heritage
It gets good attention from ladies
I go to many Highland games and feel inappropriately dressed if I don't wear one
Kilts are more comfortable than trousers
It's non-conforming in the real world
Carrying things in trouser and shirt pockets is not comfortable

**JSFMACLJR** · 8th January 10, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by The Deil's Chiel

#1: It is a symbol of my heritage, being as I am a descendant of numerous Scottish ancestors.

#2: The tartan that I wear is a symbol of my family and distinguishes me as a member of my clan.

#3: Highland dress is one of the most distinctive and attractive forms of attire than can be worn, with a long and complex history that is personally intriguing to me.

This is a perfect answer and sums up my reasoning pretty much word for word.

**Cynthia** · 8th January 10, 07:05 AM

I'm hoping to wear kilted skirts and tartan sashes to honor my family (at least two names). My McNiell g-g-g-grandmother wasn't even known to us (the McNeills contacted us to get info about the family their McNiell married into). Also, although I knew about my g-g-grandmother (Grant) by name, we didn't even know it was a Scottish name nor did we know anything about her family. I'm trying to find more about both families of ancestors, and I don't want our family to forget about them again.

As far as my husband, I'll try to get him to reply since he rarely logs on these days and he should answer for himself.