Though many may dispute my stance, I've always taken the "rules" spoken of on this forum as the "Sunday-go-to-meetin'" style of kilt wearing. I can't help but believe that my ancestors would have tried to abide by these "rules" as closely as they could afford -- but not having a splendid sporran or a proper Prince Charlie jacket would certainly not have prevented my parents or grandparents from going to church or attending the local town board meeting.

I was raised to believe that my inability to dispose of anything that could be "re-purposed" into anything else, was due to a genetic condition: "Scots Thrift" (I think it's now called "Hoarder's Syndrome"): I now own my grandfather's hunting vest which was re-purposed from an uncle's discarded tarp; My first overcoat was fashioned by my mother from a suit that my dad had out grown; My great aunts were delighted when my dad "ruined" his play-clothes -- Quilting squares!

I really have no use nor desire for all the fancy equipment. My sporran is a Dooney&Bourke purse (Cheap, from Ebay)-- quality leather, perfect sporran shape, "shoulder" strap that easily fits around my girth, solid brass fittings (I do plan, someday, to add tassels). As a thrifty Scot, I'm more tickled by finding this "re-purposed" treasure than I would be by shelling out beaucoup bucks for a 'genuine' (assembly line) sporran. My kilts are repro, wool/acrylic blends -- also from Ebay. My kilt pin is homemade, (not by me) wood and brass.

I assume that, historically, there have been more 'poor' scots than 'wealthy' and feel sure that most would have done the best they could with what they had. I'm more comfortable just 'making do' than I would be by being politically correct. The 'costume vs. clothing' debate comes to mind -- My kit feels like clothing and I think that I'd feel costumed in a 'proper' kilt outfit. Someday, when someone notifies me that I'm actually Scottish Royalty, I may have to upgrade my attitude, but till then, I'll wear suspenders with my kilt!