Full Time?

[Blu (Ontario)]

I think it's great that some folks in this group have taken the challenge of wearing kilts full time. While some are quietly matter of fact about it, others are enthusiastic promoters of doing so. Either way, it's wonderful that these folks have found it to be a rewarding experience. However, I can understand how a casual visitor to this board might be left with the mistaken impression that this is the goal of all who decide to wear the kilt. It is not. In fact, from my perspective, I would go so far as to suggest that the kilt will never be considered an every-day mainstream fashion option for the general male population.

Questions.......

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?

2. Why?

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?

4. Why?

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?

Something to ponder.

blu

[Ugly Bear]

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?

I do not wear full-time, but I would like to have the option of doing so. Right now, it's evenings and weekends.

2. Why?

Because the boys need a break. More choice is better than less choice.

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?

Yes ... and no.

4. Why?

I believe that the kilt should be an option for most situations. If a man wants to wear kilts exclusively, he should be able to choose that without hassle or derision. However, I would not support the exclusion of pants. If I were to promote kilt-wearing full-time in the sense that kilts should be the ONLY alternative, then that's the flip-side of trouser tyranny.

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?

Yes, and soon; starting around 2010-2012. That's just my hunch. Mostly non-traditional kilts, for a variety of reasons. After 200 years in trousers, men are ready for another option.

[Iolaus]

Questions.......

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?
No. I see them as a major contribtor to my options, and often wear them casually, but not to the exclusion of all pants.

2. Why?
Because I like being different.

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?
No. If the full-timers want to be that way, that's their business; I like options.

4. Why?
Unless there's an over-riding neccessity, I personally see full-timers as being somewhat obsessed, and obsessions are unhealthy. Variety is the spice of life. Part of the fun of kilts, for me anyway, is to be doing something unexpected. If everyone I knew expected me to always be in kilts, part of the fun would be diminished.

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?
I doubt it. They may become a little more common, but I think we will always be somewhere on the periphery of fashion, not the mainstream.

[Riverkilt]

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?
Full time for the past five months. Wore them part time for the year prior.
2. Why?
Wearing kilts part time gave me a solid contrast between wearing pants and wearing kilts. Obviously, I prefer kilts.

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?
Like anything else, an individual choice. I seldom promote in person unless someone else initiates a discussion about kilts.

4. Why?
Waste of time to those not interested. Maybe a carry over from the AA policy of not trying to drag drunks off of barstools, just helping folks who ask for it.

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?
Don't know that they'll ever go mainstream. There's obviously a kilt boom going on in the fashion industry right now. The growth of the kilt boards is a good barometer of that. Would be nice if contemporary kilts became an accepted option of dress. Tartan kilts have been, why not plain and camo's too.

Ron

[GMan]

Blu,

You do have a way of bringing out thought provoking comments.

It was never a goal of mine to wear the kilt full time, it just seemed to happen, and I am not sure as to why it became that way outside of pure comfort.

As far as promotion of kilt wearing it seems to be up to the individual whether they want to or not, but I do like seeing other guys wearing the kilt, as it shows me that they are individuals with their own thought patterns of independance and not caving in to what others wear.

As far as mainstream, I really do not think that will happen. Too many guys are so concerned with what others think that they will not be themselves.

[flyv65]

1./2. Do you wear kilts full time, or have that as a goal? And why?

No, but I do wear a kilt in public several times a week as tasks and work permit. I doubt I'd wear them full time if I could, for the same reason I don't wear pants full time.

3./4. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important? And why?

No, I believe promotion of the option to wear kilts full time if desired is important: to me it's a question of personal freedom, acceptance, and parity or equality for all.

5./6. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?

Much tougher question here; I believe its possible within the next 25 to 50 years that kilts may become more of a mainstream article of clothing for men, but I wouldn't bet too much on it happening.

Bryan...sorry Ugly Bear; this is a "sea change" in thinking, and it won't happen as fast as you say (I think)...

[GlassMan]

Questions.......

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?
Yes. I no longer even own pants of any kind (except for the tuxedo pants that now hang forlorn in the back of my closet along with the rest of that $5000 outfit which I wore once before switching to kilts).

2. Why?
For several reason. First, it is simply painful for me to point my left foot enough to get it down a trouser leg (damn injury). Second, I've never been more comfortable in my life as I am in kilts. Third, since my stained glass company has a Scottish name and we are known for having lots of supplies for Celtic themed projects, the kilt is actually a help with the business.

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?
I don't think it needs promotion.

4. Why?
I think that getting guys to give kilts a try is what needs promoting. Once they learn the comfort of the kilt I can't imagine anyone wanting to go back to trousers after they have enough kilts to manage daily wear.

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?
I don't think so, at least not in America. Men here are too scared to be outside of the mainstream for the most part. Look in most offices and all the guys look like a cookie cutter images of each other. It would take a major sea-change in attitude for kilts to go mainstream. Personally I'm fine with that. I rather enjoy it that people view me as slightly eccentric.

[starbkjrus]

1./2. Do you wear kilts full time, or have that as a goal? And why?

No, but I do wear a kilt in public several times a week as tasks and work permit. I doubt I'd wear them full time if I could, for the same reason I don't wear pants full time.

3./4. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important? And why?

No, I believe promotion of the option to wear kilts full time if desired is important: to me it's a question of personal freedom, acceptance, and parity or equality for all.

5./6. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?

Much tougher question here; I believe its possible within the next 25 to 50 years that kilts may become more of a mainstream article of clothing for men, but I wouldn't bet too much on it happening.

Bryan...sorry Ugly Bear; this is a "sea change" in thinking, and it won't happen as fast as you say (I think)...

I read through this thread and found that of all the replies so far I agree closest with Bryan. (Hey, saves typing so much )

Seriously I do agree until you get to point 5/6. To me growing up in a family thats Scot on one side and Irish on the other in a highly "Scotified" area of the US kilts have always been mainstream - you just didn't see them that often. But weddings, Highland Games (I grew up 60 miles from Grandfather Mountain NC) and the Military are all mainstream aren't they?

Will we see more and more kilts over the next few years? I think so, yes. Will every guy be wearing them full time? I hope not. I like being a little unusual - I'm a Scot not a sheep. :-D

[Macman]

Bryan's response is the closest to mine as well, except that if kilts become mainstream, my bet is on 10 or 15 years (somewhere between Bryan's prediction and Ugly Bear's).

[Robinhood]

1. Do you wear kilts full time or have that as a goal?

No

2. Why?

Same reason I don't wear buckskins all the time. . .
I don't want to. Buckskins are great working in the
briars, kilts are not. I wear what I want when I want.

3. Do you believe promotion of full time kilt wearing is important?

No

4. Why?

It is just a piece of clothing. Since I am a regular guy,
I don't really care much about fashion, style, or for
that matter clothing in general. I don't care what
other people think, do or wear.

5. Do you believe kilts will ever be considered a mainstream fashion choice for men?

No.