What's Your Reason for Wearing a Kilt?

[Taskr]

I first wore it for a special family occasion, thinking it might be much like one of my better suits - and with the appropriate accessories a tuxedo. But it has become more a '1 kilt 10 looks" comfortable, well made garment that is donned at least once a week where I can style it to the occasion - which are increasing as I expand the "goes with the kilt" wardrobe. Thus my street wear and culture bent to the poll.

[Grunthos]

its an ego boost for me with all the complements that I receive.

Yeah, I find it funny that I was anxious beforehand about wearing a kilt on a regular basis, because of my fear of people's negative reactions. Now it is indeed an ego boost to wear it, because the reactions I get are overwhelmingly positive. That isn't the main reason I wear it, but it doesn't hurt any

(I have so many good comebacks that I've picked up here on XMarks, that I just haven't had any opportunity to use! Oh, life's troubles.... )

[Mikilt]

Comfort and style. I didn't check it, but I also wear it to make something of a non-comformist statement. I've always had trouble fitting into molds. I am a confident individual when I am in the kilt.

[Hawk]

Oops... I should have read the directions. Yup. I don't follow directions well (and never have).

Thats ok Rocky, I didn't see that either....I'll let mine stand as is I guess....

Hawk

[Orionson]

I wear the Kilt (allegedly, in a "revivalist" and deeply traditional style, according to some here) because I was born to it and I live in the Highlands & the Hebridean Isle of Skye. Like Kyle, and others, it is simply who I am.

I must also confess to having never been able to understand* how a place called X Marks the Scot is not a distinctively Scottish site where traditional ways of wearing Highland Attire must struggle for validation.

*Thank you, but I have heard all the justifications, and in my view, they just don't wash.

[tpa]

Daily street wear, it's comfortable, practical and I like the feel of it. I got my first one aged 8.

[OC Richard]

I'm having a hard time putting it into words exactly, but the first option strikes me at being, what? circular?

Why is the person wearing a uniform? The fact that a kilt is part of some larger costume doesn't address why the costume is being worn.

Anyhow there's no answer amongst the choices that fits, so I picked "other".

I wear Highland Dress, nearly always, because I'm paid to. My dress is not part of any uniform; as a solo piper I can more or less wear what I choose, as long as I look smart.

It's different when I play with the Pipe Band. I wear a uniform. I'm not being paid. It's officially a hobby, not work. But I do dozens of solo piping gigs for every Pipe Band performance.

[macwilkin]

I must also confess to having never been able to understand* how a place called X Marks the Scot is not a distinctively Scottish site where traditional ways of wearing Highland Attire must struggle for validation.

*Thank you, but I have heard all the justifications, and in my view, they just don't wash.

And Orionson wins the Internet for that line! Well done that man!

[IsaacW]

I must also confess to having never been able to understand* how a place called X Marks the Scot is not a distinctively Scottish site where traditional ways of wearing Highland Attire must struggle for validation.

A very valid point. The entire site/forum should simply be called X Marks the Kilt, as that seems to be the entire focus with little regard to anything, unless it is KILT focused. It is an item, nearly stripped of its meaning... A hollow symbol.

[macwilkin]

If I wore the kilt as daily street wear, it would be because I wanted to express daily my connection to the culture of Highland Scotland. When I wore it as part of a uniform, it was because of the connection between the bagpipes and Highland Regiments with the culture of the Highlands of Scotland. Whenever I'm the only one kilted, I do wear it as a non-conformist statement. That non-conformist statement is that the culture of the Highland Gael lives on despite the significant attempts to suppress and assimilate the children of the Gael. I certainly do wear it because of the kilt's connection to the culture of Highland Scotland and I wear it for another reason as well. I really like how it looks and how it makes me feel. It makes me look and feel in touch with my roots - the culture of the Highlands of Scotland.

I share many of the same reasons that Nathan has described above; for me, the kilt and Traditional Highland Civilian Dress is a way for me to pay tribute to my Scottish ancestors and the many contributions they made to their adopted county, the United States of America, as well as the various states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa) were they resided.