Where to wear the kilt wolrdwide???

[scotswelshrunner]

Somewhere on the forum there was a thread about wearing the kilt in Scotland, Britain and other parts of the world. For the life of me I cannot find it. That being said, I'm very curious as to how the rest of the world views our wearing the kilt out and about, especially the differences between formal and informal. What about in Scotland proper?
Would I as an American of Scottish descent be looked at as a stupid American wearing a kilt if I donned one while visiting Scotland or the isles? Or in London? How about Tokyo? Thoughts, ideas from all of you wise folks living around this wonderful planet!!!!! By the way, I live in the Portland,Oregon metro area so pretty much ANYTHING around here is ok.

[WillowEstate]

Limited experience but in Britain, specifically England, including London and in Australia, absolutely no problems at all. Yes, Americans in Scotland do sometimes stand out a bit but providing you dress "respectfully" you won't have any problems.

I have encountered interest and questions most places I've been, particularly the ladies seem to appreciate the kilt!

The three most common questions are (no, not that one!):

Are you going somewhere special?

What tartan is that?

Is there a story to it?

Or variations on those themes. Be confident, be ready to chat and your kilt will just be accepted as your choice for the day.

One reservation, at a Scotland vs England soccer match, I would tend to hang around with the Scots!

[Tobus]

Would I as an American of Scottish descent be looked at as a stupid American wearing a kilt if I donned one while visiting Scotland or the isles?

Every time this comes up, the consensus seems to be that they will smile and speak nicely to your face, then giggle when you walk away. The kilted American tourist has become something of a caricature in Scotland.

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

James,

For the most part the kilt is not a common sight anywhere in Scotland. In the lowlands even less so. You will see pipers wearing the kilt, and also people going to, and from, weddings, ceilidhs, graduations and the like. There will always be a few people who will think of an American in a kilt as "playing Scot" but mostly they would be too polite to say anything directly to you anyway. In the USA people tend to be more forward and will ask you anything from, "what's that tartan?" to "THE question." As for London and Tokyo, I have been in London, but not Tokyo. I would go so far as to say that, generally, in larger cities you can get away with a lot more without anyone blinking an eye. Regardless, I say wear it with respect and with pride anywhere you wish!
Cheers,
Nick

[CDNSushi]

As for London and Tokyo, I have been in London, but not Tokyo. I would go so far as to say that, generally, in larger cities you can get away with a lot more without anyone blinking an eye.

Having worn my kilt in Tokyo MANY times, I can vouch for the fact that you'll get one of two typical reactions -- smiles or complete lack of reaction. I've had middle-aged Japanese women ask me "the question" in Japanese, and have often received many compliments. You WILL be assumed to be Scottish FROM Scotland, however. Bear in mind that there IS a Tokyo pipe band, Highland dancing is known and somewhat popular among certain groups, and juxtaposed with the freaky people you find in Harajuku and Shibuya, you will look COMPLETELY normal in comparison. If you attend the Highland Games or any St. Andrews event in Japan, you will find many kilted Japanese people. So it's definitely all cool.

I have also worn my kilt in Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, just to name a few. So far, the most nonplussed reactions I've received have been from the Filipinos. But that's also a subjective judgement on my part, I'm sure.

I also found HK to be a good place to be kilted. People seemed to take it in stride fairly well. The only annoyance was continually being hounded and badgered on the street in Kowloon by sales guys from all the tailor shops, offering to sew me new kilts. And they can be quite persistent too.

Otherwise, it's hard to say that city size is the determining factor. I've worn my kilt in Edmonton (800,000+ people) and been called a f*ggot. On the flip side, I walk around Victoria (78,000+ people) and not received a negative reaction yet. Conclusion? It's almost impossible to make a generalization because it all depends on too many factors (location, timing, who you encounter, etc, etc).

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

It's almost impossible to make a generalization because it all depends on too many factors (location, timing, who you encounter, etc, etc).

I agree. I daresay bigger cities do tend to be more accepting in general, but it's always difficult when you try to make a generalization. I have always found Canada to be quite kilt-friendly. But I suppose that's the bit about location, timing, and who I encountered. Great to hear about your success with the kilt on the other side of the world.

Slainte,

Nick

[Holcombe Thomas]

CDNSushi: "You WILL be assumed to be Scottish FROM Scotland, however."

I have had that here in Washington, DC. My explanations didn't work. On one occasion, at a charity ball, I was introduced (without knowing it was coming), as the first person who had come all the way from Scotland for the annual event. In fact, I had come, oh, about 8 miles.

Holcombe

[ThistleDown]

I'm going to have to chase back a good many years in my memory bank, but I have worn Highland dress in all of these countries, and maybe a few more: Scotland, England, Eire, Wales, Canada, Northern Ireland, America, Australia, France, Germany (West, East and then just), The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Spain, Egypt, the USSR, Mexico, Jamaica, Cuba, Malta, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, India, Monaco, Finland, Sri Lanka and Hungary. Here's where the memory fault kicks in: I think I have had adverse or critical responses in England, Northern Ireland and America, and pointed snickers of whatever snickers are in the USSR. Lots of curiosity in unusual places, but all friendly.

I suspect this has something to do with having worn it all my life, but perhaps just as much with ignoring how others see the colour of my skin, the length of my hair -- or the manner of my dress.

[California Highlander]

One of the "kilted in Scotland" threads is here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ericans-76991/

Lots to sift through, lots of useful and informative opinions to get you thinking. And the thread ends with a Scotch discussion!

[scotswelshrunner]

One of the "kilted in Scotland" threads is here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ericans-76991/

Lots to sift through, lots of useful and informative opinions to get you thinking. And the thread ends with a Scotch discussion!

Thanks for the link. I will read this all!!!