Irish Kilts: solid vs. tartan

[macwilkin]

You never know.

I do think Jock said something about uniforms not counting as tourist garb, to be fair.

Considering the SAIR Pipes & Drums have played the Tattoo, technically they were tourists at some point...but not Seppos.

T.

[Bugbear]

Actually, I do want to hear what Jock has to say about this, cajunscot.

[seanachie]

I seriously doubt that many non-kilt-wearers would even consider a solid-color kilt to be Irish. To the vast majority of people, a traditional kilt is, by default, tartan, regardless of country of origin. I speak from experience because I'm a recent kilt lover (bought and wore my first kilt just three years ago) and have not heard that solid color kilts might be traditionally Irish. So, to the ill-informed, the uneducated, or the simply uncouth population, a solid color kilt is automatically a non-traditional kilt, regardless if it's saffron, green, or blue. So, be you may need to explain your traditional, solid-color kilt when you wear it, especially to us rookies. That way, we can learn all these wonderful nuances of kilts.

I wore my Saffron kilt to a concert last week and was complimented on it several times to a person every comment was "so you are Irish?" or something similar (I did have a green polo on)....there certainly was not any confusion by the non kilted populace. I have worn tartan kilts before and had people ask if my ancestry was Scottish.

[Zardoz]

I wore my Saffron kilt to a concert last week and was complimented on it several times to a person every comment was "so you are Irish?" or something similar (I did have a green polo on)....there certainly was not any confusion by the non kilted populace. I have worn tartan kilts before and had people ask if my ancestry was Scottish.

That's pretty much been my experience as well.

[Blackrose87]

I wore my Saffron kilt to a concert last week and was complimented on it several times to a person every comment was "so you are Irish?" or something similar (I did have a green polo on)....there certainly was not any confusion by the non kilted populace. I have worn tartan kilts before and had people ask if my ancestry was Scottish.

That's pretty much been my experience as well.

Maybe it's the case that the Irish diaspora are more educated about kilts than the Irish are!

[Gael Ridire]

I've been kilt wearing and aware for 22 years, and in the first year learned about the assumed Irish kilt being of one color. I have an Irish solid green kilt, and a tartan one. My paternal is Irish my maternal is Ulster-Scot. I'm not partial to the solid color, nor do I like the Irish county tartans, most seem to be more plaid and to pale. I think the Irish county tartans based on the county coat of arms is better, and some counties I like. I love the Irish National and hope to someday have a kilt in this tartan, if not then a waistcoat. I especially like the 'saffron' stripe looking more mustard then burnt orange. I understand the point of the Irish kilt being solid color to differentiate from Scotland. I also love the Welsh National Tartan. I think that Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, etc., should have a few national tartans, but no more. In time hopefully it well be known that these certain tartans represent those places.

I was planning on going to Ireland in 2014 for the Brian Boru Festival, unfortunately I won't be able to, but if I had I wouldn't have worn any color or style of kilt for fear of having my lights put out.

So I'm open to either style, solid & tartan. But I prefer tartan for the wife range of color.

[Blackrose87]

I was planning on going to Ireland in 2014 for the Brian Boru Festival, unfortunately I won't be able to, but if I had I wouldn't have worn any color or style of kilt for fear of having my lights put out.

We're not that bad you know!

You would have more than likely been the only kiltie there, and to be honest almost everyone would have assumed you were Scottish until they heard you accent.
But I'm sure if you explained the kilt you were wearing, and the reasons for it, most people would be interested and good natured. You may have got a few jibes about it not really being Irish, but no one would be been offended in my way.

[Jock Scot]

Actually, I do want to hear what Jock has to say about this, cajunscot.

I don't know how the whole of Scotland thinks, but Jock and his friends don't consider pipe bands into any sort of civilian "kilt count", I think probably most think this way in Scotland. If you are in a pipe band the kilt is part of what is worn------there are exceptions around the globe I grant you------the kilt is just part of the job, piping, so we count pipe band attire as really a uniform and not really civilian wear at all, even for non military bandsmen. So these "uniforms" should not really be regarded too seriously as a guide to what civilians wear.

[linedrive]

Here is my question: do you prefer Irish kilts to be solid or tartan? Why? Pros and cons of either option?

Back to the original question. I prefer tartan. Interestingly, I had recently acquired a Tipperary County Tartan (which I really like) and wore it to church this past week.

A lady came up to me and commented that she liked the kilt (thanks Rocky) and asked if the tartan was scottish, stating, "I know the other kilt you wear is Irish". The "other kilt" she was referring to was the Irish National, which as you all know is predominately green.

To the kilt "educated", I think most of us would agree that if you saw a solid kilt (excepting the aforementioned Utilikilts or a Mountain Hardwear hiking kilt) that we would likely assume some (loose) Irish affiliation or pipe band. For the general lay public, I'm not sure they would be that savvy. My experience as described above is a fairly consistent occurrence, that is... in the US (in my limited travels to 30 plus states) people often associate a predominately green kilt as Irish... Just my experience.

As far as why I prefer the tartans... I think they are visually interesting and I liked (initially) the challenge of coordinating the rest of my outfit. Its funny how now, I treat a kilt almost like a pair of khakis... seeing how most colors work fine with it.

... Line

[Blackrose87]

To the kilt "educated", I think most of us would agree that if you saw a solid kilt (excepting the aforementioned Utilikilts or a Mountain Hardwear hiking kilt) that we would likely assume some (loose) Irish affiliation or pipe band. For the general lay public, I'm not sure they would be that savvy. My experience as described above is a fairly consistent occurrence, that is... in the US (in my limited travels to 30 plus states) people often associate a predominately green kilt as Irish... Just my experience.

Hmm, it seems that through this thread its is becoming evident that we are talking about two different 'general public's i.e the Irish general public, and the general public outside Ireland.

I know that if I wore my Irish national tartan back in Ireland, the vast majority would think I was a Scot, or more likely a tourist. Once they heard my accent, they would then assume I was an Ulster-Scot.
Very few people would associate it with my Irish nationality.