What proportions of Traditional/Contempory kilts do you see?

[O'Searcaigh]

This thread has really got me thinking about my own attitudes and habits of kilt wearing. I too had once thought that daily kilt wear would be great but now more clearly understand my own "reasons" for wearing a kilt at all. The fact of the matter is I rarely wear a kilt "out and about" in public and even then almost always when there is some "special" reason for doing so (highland games, special celebration of some sort). On the other hand, I sometimes find a kilt just more comfortable than trousers and since I am retired and spend most of my time around the house/farm, others rarely see me kilted except my nearest neighbors (who aren't near) or when some delivery man comes to the house. I always wear a "traditional" 8 yd kilt and in the rare occasion where I might be seen by someone, always with a kilt jacket, waistcoat, tattersall shirt (usually) and tie. In short (too late) the kilt IS special for most occasions and when it isn't, it's just more comfortable clothing -- except when it isn't, like when hauling hay for the critters

[cck]

In the past several weeks we have had some interesting threads: How often do you see kilts worn in normal every day life, leading to - What proportions of traditional/contemporary kilts do we see - and now to a thoughtful discussion of why and when do we wear kilts.

The impression I get is that we would all like to see kilts worn more often. For most of us kilts are not commonly seen and the 5 times a year or less response seemed to dominate.

Our focus falls on "Special Occasions," the ideal time to wear a kilt.

For those living in Central Texas (or anywhere in the world,) one of the 2 operas that I know of with a Scottish theme is being performed in Austin - "Lucia di Lammermoor" 1/28 - 2/5. I am trying to work with Austin Lyric Opera to have a "Kilt" or "Scottish Dress Night" on Feb. 3rd. If any of the readers are interested in this, please let me know. We may be able to come up with some additional "perks."

[Tobus]

It depends on where I am.
But I virtually never see kilts worn "out and about" in my area. They are as rare as hens' teeth. In fact, besides myself, I have only ever seen two other people wearing kilts in normal everyday life. Both were modern kilts, or at least worn in a modern fashion (boots and scrunched socks with a t-shirt, and no sporran).

I must amend my earlier statement! As of yesterday, I have now seen three kilts 'out and about' in my area. The fellow I saw yesterday was wearing a green Utilikilt, a hunting style shirt (in real-tree camouflage, or some such), with scrunched socks and boots. He was at the local Walmart.

Still haven't ever seen a traditionally-worn kilt in my area, except for distinctly Scottish-themed events.

[PatG]

Discounting myself, the Maxville Highland Games, military parades and any occasion demanding a pipe band, I have only seen one traditional kilt wearer in Ottawa. He is a dapper gentleman who has several kilts in rotation: tartan, at least one tweed and a couple of single colours. I would class these as traditional rather than modern because all are traditionally cut and worn with hose, shirt, tie and jacket. I was at a wedding a couple of years ago where the entire grooms party was dressed in cheap Asian knock off kilts - sadly the marriage did not last - read into that what you will.

For "modern" kilts, on the street I have seen four or five UKs or equivalent mostly on younger men of the punk or metal persuasion. At a yearly local festival, the male population splits between UKs or other modern kilts and sarongs with trousers or shorts making an occasional appearance and perhaps one proper tank in the last 10 years. Needless to say, the kilted contingent has the better time of it (and the better booze).

To address the off topic portion of this thread, I regularly wear modern kilts. I am not sure I would ever wear a my traditional kilt with t-shirt, but I would really like to get it off the hanger and out in public more often but yet still keep it special. My wife is buying me a proper jacket for this Christmas past and after watching Mrs. Brown a couple of times, I am going for a tweed day jacket and vest for maximum flexibility and the overall look of it.

[Seanmadra]

I see one in the Chambersburg, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, PA, area every couple of months, most recently Saturday, and the mix is about 50-50. On Saturday, I saw a large family group, who obviously had a day playing sports, and one was wearing what appeared to be a Sport Kilt type tartan. Although I chose not to wear a kilt to the PA farm show (rodeo, livestock, working horse demo, agriculture demo, etc.), I did wear the caubeen (got a couple odd looks), and saw a couple in 1800's period dress.