Why you don't see Scots wearing their kilts often

**kilted scholar** · 27th August 11, 02:04 PM

While my wife and I were walking today in the spectacularly beautiful Vale of Eywas, adjacent to the Wales-England border, we happened to pass a couple, probably in their forties. The woman had a gentle Scots accent and asked me why I was wearing a kilt. Upon my reply she said that her father "always wears one." She grew up near Aviemore.

I recall having a similar conversation a short while ago.

**creagdhubh** · 27th August 11, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

I'm with you in spirit but it won't happen for both economic and social reasons.

Economically it's a case of mass production, supply and demand. Cheap trousers are churned out by the hundreds and thousands, often in Asia or the Far East to standard sizes and in a relatively small range of styles and colours. One can't do that with tartan and kilts because of the huge potential variations in tartan and size combinations. If trousers don't sell then the retailer can move them to a different part of the country (UK) or even to Europe depending on demand. I don't see anyone wanting to hold stock for such a small market. Factor in the fact that general sizing will often result in ill fitting kilts that will then mean people feeling self concious and I just don't see the idea getting off the ground.

Socially I doubt that there is widespread demand across Scotland to wear the kilt much more often. Individuals yes but not the numbers that would be needed to make a retailer invest in stock.

The answer, find some cloth and make/get someone to make your own.

Well said, Peter. I agree with your assessment.

**Jock Scot** · 28th August 11, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by kilted scholar

While my wife and I were walking today in the spectacularly beautiful Vale of Eywas, adjacent to the Wales-England border, we happened to pass a couple, probably in their forties. The woman had a gentle Scots accent and asked me why I was wearing a kilt. Upon my reply she said that her father "always wears one." She grew up near Aviemore.

I recall having a similar conversation a short while ago.

AHHHH, the "hidden" valley ! Wonderful place. Did you pass the church that appears to have been built by people reading from 50 different building plans at the same time----all higgledy-piggledy? Actually I think the foundations are sinking at various speeds. Oh happy days!

**OC Richard** · 28th August 11, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Do you own your country's National attire? How often do you wear your National attire? How often do you see your National attire being worn? How often do you see your National attire being worn on a daily basis?

First we have to acknowledge that what is perceived as "National Dress" by outsiders often began as (or continues to be) a Regional Dress within the country. So, Highland Dress represents Scotland as a whole to the outside world etc.

What dress is thought of as representing the USA? To the outside world it's often the dress of the Western Cowboy. At Disneyland's "Small World" ride two figures, a Cowboy and a Native American, represent the USA (though of course both could represent Canada just as well... but Canada is represented in the ride by a Mountie doll).

Here the dress of the Cowboy is called "Western Wear" and a vast number of Americans here in the west wear it every day. There's casual Western Wear for everyday wear and dressy Western Wear which is worn at times when an Easterner would wear a business suit.

Not like this

but the modern everyday form like this

http://www.sheplers.com

I myself wore Cowboy boots, jeans, and a silver/turqoise/coral large oval buckle every day through my school years, and a Cowboy hat whenever a hat was needed.

Now, there's another form of dress which originated here, and could be thought of as some sort of "National Dress" though I never see it used internationally as such, the dress of the early Appalachian frontiersman, which the early white settlers adapted from Native American dress:

Coonskin, fox, or badger hat, buckskin shirts and pants, moccasins, etc. I don't think anybody wears this nowadays as everyday dress.

**kilted scholar** · 28th August 11, 06:25 AM

Code:

Jock: AHHHH, the "hidden" valley ! Wonderful place. Did you pass the church that appears to have been built by people reading from 50 different building plans at the same time----all higgledy-piggledy? Actually I think the foundations are sinking at various speeds. Oh happy days!

It is simply wonderful. It was the first time we've been there but, we hope, certainly not the last.

We visited the Priory ruins of course. There's another church, very small, further up the valley that has been renovated in the last twenty years and is in regular use. I'm not sure if that's the one you mean. We'll have the chance for closer exploration on future visits. The views from the mountain sides in their own ways rival, dare I say it, the Highlands.

**Jock Scot** · 28th August 11, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by kilted scholar

Code:

Jock: AHHHH, the "hidden" valley ! Wonderful place. Did you pass the church that appears to have been built by people reading from 50 different building plans at the same time----all higgledy-piggledy? Actually I think the foundations are sinking at various speeds. Oh happy days!

It is simply wonderful. It was the first time we've been there but, we hope, certainly not the last.

We visited the Priory ruins of course. There's another church, very small, further up the valley that has been renovated in the last twenty years and is in regular use. I'm not sure if that's the one you mean. We'll have the chance for closer exploration on future visits. The views from the mountain sides in their own ways rival, dare I say it, the Highlands.

And there are even a few grouse up on the tops too! Apart from the priory, there are two churches of note; the one I mentioned and a very small one(I think you are talking about it) that has a claim to fame too. Something like the smallest church in constant use, I think. Oh yes, the area is a very special place and one of the UK's absolute gems.

**Mael Coluim** · 28th August 11, 08:02 AM

I would say this is now our US national dress for both sexes worn every day by many. (Modified from earlier western wear as noted by OC Richard.)

**artificer** · 28th August 11, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

I would say this is now our US national dress for both sexes worn every day by many. (Modified from earlier western wear as noted by OC Richard.)

I'd have to agree with you Ern. I don't believe I've seen someone in a Western suit more than 5 or 6 times in my life, locally. In fact, I've seen dozens more kilts out and about (at non-Scottish functions) than I've ever seen the "Cowboy suit".

ith:

**Guinness>water** · 28th August 11, 08:10 AM

A bit off subject but, I would like to see everyone wear their ancestors "national dress". Can you imagine how different our streets would look? Wow, so many colors and you would never get bored while people watching. You could automatically tell where everyone is "from", much conversation to be had. I think that would be really cool.

**Jock Scot** · 28th August 11, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I'd have to agree with you Ern. I don't believe I've seen someone in a Western suit more than 5 or 6 times in my life, locally. In fact, I've seen dozens more kilts out and about (at non-Scottish functions) than I've ever seen the "Cowboy suit".

ith:

Phewee, that's alright then, I shall sleep rather better tonight. As I have never owned or worn a pair of jeans, or ten gallon hat, or cowboy boots and being in no danger of me ever owning such, it appears that I an not going to upset the sensibilities of our American friends by wearing their national attire incorrectly!

There was a time when I could lay my hands on a Colt .44 and a Winchester lever action though. These appear to be almost essential accoutrements.