To kilt in modern north american society

[ratspike]

Normally on a "Kilt forum" I wouldn't point this out, but the title of the thread is about wearing a kilt in modern American society, and I think it's probably a good idea to remember that in fact, not everybody thinks that a kilt is the bee's knees. Lots of people prefer looks other than the natty, buttoned-down traditionalist Scottish Kilt look.

LOTS.

This is actually a very good point. A while back I tried to get a monthly kilt night going. Portland being Portland, I thought it'd go over well and would be popular. Unfortunately it was a bit of a fail, due in part to this very thing. Getting dudes who liked to wear a kilt now and again, or were kilt-curious, to show up more than once was impossible. Too much Scottish dress-up was too much for the folks who weren't already kilt nerds. Even the guys who dress up as pirates couldn't hang, which is saying something.

This is in no way a dis on THCD. It's just an observation I made over a period of months while watching non-kilties in Portland, home of the Unipiper, the World Naked Bike Ride and countless other oddball things, try to interface with kilt enthusiasts.

[thecompaqguy]

This is actually a very good point. A while back I tried to get a monthly kilt night going. Portland being Portland, I thought it'd go over well and would be popular. Unfortunately it was a bit of a fail, due in part to this very thing. Getting dudes who liked to wear a kilt now and again, or were kilt-curious, to show up more than once was impossible. Too much Scottish dress-up was too much for the folks who weren't already kilt nerds. Even the guys who dress up as pirates couldn't hang, which is saying something.

This is in no way a dis on THCD. It's just an observation I made over a period of months while watching non-kilties in Portland, home of the Unipiper, the World Naked Bike Ride and countless other oddball things, try to interface with kilt enthusiasts.

I think it is like trying to get a cat to take a tablet Kilts are quite particular, I think it looks smart, but nerds, who are struggling to be like everyone else, may not embrace the kilt for fear of becoming 'weirder', so I could see why they may not want to kilt up. 'Kilt-curious', lol

Alan H, my wife isn't so bothered by the guys in the 'urban wear', perhaps it's the fact that other girls may dig the kilt, creating 'competition'... She has no umbrage toward my 30+ kilts I own already, though rolls her eyes at another purchase. The latest being a Glasgow Rangers tartan. I am of the 'if you like it, rock it' school of thought, and am weighing up wearing a kilt to a gathering tonight, but it is on the windy side and a little cold. I think it also depends on the right setting to be kilted, it's nice to be different, but wearing one in windy weather to 'make a a statement' won't endear people to it either.

[tundramanq]

There is s spectrum of mentalities:
Sheep------------------------------to---------- sheep dog
Mindlessly running with the herd-to---------- running the herd
Little self esteem -----------------to---------- a lot of self esteem
highly subject to peer pressure--to-----------immune to peer pressure
Follower----------------------------to-----------Leader
Meek-------------------------------to-----------Bold
etc. etc.
Routine kilt wearers generally fall a lot closer to the right hand end of the spectrum.

Compaq, I have a real hard time convincing people that I really am quite warm and comfy in the winter in my just below the knees, winter length, kilts and a warm jacket. I own some polyester running leggings but have yet to find it cold enough and/or windy enough to need them and I am going into my 6th winter kilted all day, everyday. However, I do live at mile high altitude and dry climate - two things that really reduce the thermal conductivity of air. The opposite of your situation.