Why Do Some Take Such Offense...

[cessna152towser]

A kilt is a type of skirt. Therefore I am not going to be offended if someone refers to my kilt as a skirt.

[English Bloke]

Usually I'm with the spirit of the jibe and quite up for the banter. I like banter.

On rare occasions, I get bored with dullard jokes and I'm quite happy to offer the humourist the opportunity to be battered to a pulp by the "man in the dress".

I've never had to resort to such means yet. If I get close, people usually deduce where the boundary line is before it all goes pear shaped and we agree to differ.

[flyrod6057]

For what it's worth...there IS a difference between a skirt and a kilt. While they are very similar in construction (technically, they're made the same way) there are significant differences.

A skirt is a woman's garment. It's made for a woman's shape. Skirts flare at the bottom and are often pleated all the way around. They range in length from ankle length to awesomely short. The kilt is a lot more precise. When speaking of a traditional Scottish kilt, they are:

-pleated only on back
-have an unpleated apron in front
-do not flare, but drop straight down from the hips
-are knee length
-are made from wool tartan
-are worn by men

There are more 'modern' interpretations of the kilt that take some liberties with the construction of a traditional kilt, but they are essentially similar in construction and wear. Calling a kilt a skirt is no more accurate than calling a skirt a dress, or calling sandals shoes.

Having said all that, I just had a conversation with a local kiltmaker where I referred to my kilt as a skirt in a humorous tone. It made sense in context... (Not that a kiltmaker needs educating as to the differences between a kilt and a skirt...)

In my experience, guys usually just stare. Comments usually come from friends or recent "pub acquaintances." Girls, however, almost always like a kilted man. That's reason enough to put up with any potential ribbing. Some lassies will even pose "the question" which inevitably leads to an interesting exchange. And when all else fails, I simply remind anyone who cares to inquire: "The kilt is a warrior's garment!"

[xman]

When speaking of a traditional Scottish kilt, they are:
...
-are worn by men

Or female pipers/drummers/athletes ... that bit is a little incorrect.

Calling a kilt a skirt is no more accurate than calling a skirt a dress, or calling sandals shoes.

I think it's more accurate to say a kilt is a skirt in the same way that capris are pants. If you look for a dictionary definition of a kilt I'm pretty sure you'll always run into it described as a type of skirt.

[Taygrd]

If you wear because you like the way it looks, that in garners you attention, or you are trying to make some modern statement - then it is a skirt. If you wear it because your ancestors fought, bled, and sometimes died in it and for it - it is a kilt.

[The Volusianator]

If you wear because you like the way it looks, that in garners you attention, or you are trying to make some modern statement - then it is a skirt. If you wear it because your ancestors fought, bled, and sometimes died in it and for it - it is a kilt.

Honestly, I don't think anything could be further from the truth. A garment won't change names because of one's ancestory. I get how religious some of you are in this, but a kilt is a kilt and a skirt is a skirt. I'm not Roman, but if I wear sandals are they called boots then?

[Taygrd]

Then I wear a skirt.

I have to admit it looks pretty cool matching the motorcycle

[Geoff Withnell]

If you wear because you like the way it looks, that in garners you attention, or you are trying to make some modern statement - then it is a skirt. If you wear it because your ancestors fought, bled, and sometimes died in it and for it - it is a kilt.

So the many folk on this forum who do not have Scottish ancesters are not wearing kilts!? That seems kinda harsh to me.

[Taygrd]

So the many folk on this forum who do not have Scottish ancesters are not wearing kilts!? That seems kinda harsh to me.

Perhaps, however I should explain a little more. Is the US flag just a piece of fabric, Gettysburg just a parcle of land, USMC uniform a just a fancy suit? All of these things have significant meaning attached to them for most people. The kilt started out representing ones family, a regiment, and ones national heritage. These concepts still mean something to many folks. If I took a USMC Class A and ripped the sleeves of and wore it with shorts and a Coors light baseball cap would someone become upset? I know a Marine would have something to say about that. It is not so much about what it is rather it is about what it represents.

[biblemonkey]

I get bugged by those comments but most of the time it comes from women who honestly don't know better. Men almost always call it a kilt when they see me in it. To the women who misspeak I typically respond kindly and with patience as they speak from ignorance rather than malice and they are almost always complimentary rather than mean. I usually tell them it is a kilt and thank you.

If being teased by my less secure male friends and they say "nice skirt" I say "thanks, I like it".