Quote Originally Posted by TechBear View Post
And therein lies a distinction that I think should be made. I have several Utilikilts which I wear in lieu of shorts when it is warm. While UKs are based on "proper modern Scottish attire," they are actually an American garment.
They are very American... and based on a pair of cargo shorts, not a kilt. And when it comes to protocol and dress etiquette when wearing the kilt these don't count, because they are not kilts. If you wear a Utilikilt and don't wear a sporran, or no flashes... not to worry, the kilt snobs, kilt police, ect. well not hound you, and don't care... "It's not a kilt".
Quote Originally Posted by Erisianmonkey View Post
The kilt is unique in that it is probably the only single garment in the world that would gather people of so many different viewpoints together in one place to discuss it. There are many people of Scots descent who are afraid of claiming this piece of their heritage because dressing in a prescribed fashion goes against their principles. Folks like myself help to show them that a kilt is not a costume that must be worn only with this accessory or that or you are not recognizing that the kilt "means something" if you don't wear it in the "proper" (i.e., PC, or the like) way.
I had no idea that the kilt was the only garment in the world to grab so much attention. I guess all of the fashion shows I see on TV are just hype, and there really is no concern about any garment other than the kilt. And I was also unaware that anyone with a Scottish last name and not wearing the kilt were somehow afraid of their heritage. And which principles were those that kilt wearing is in conflict with? And why do people in this thread seem to be stuck on the Victorian Era, and Prince Charlie coate, and converting others to kilt wearing? Jamie has posted some fine pictures of him dressed well in the kilt, including in a t-shirt, did a PC get airbrushed in after I had seen the pic?