Why don't more Scottish citizens wear kilts?

[OC Richard]

Its the first time I've heard "pocket Scot"... it brings to mind the Irish term "plastic Paddy" which I often hear.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_Paddy

Here's perhaps the bit that relates to "pocket Scot"

Within Ireland, "plastic paddy" may refer to someone who misrepresents the Irish culture by enacting ethnic stereotypes that portray an inaccurate, outdated and offensive image of Ireland and Irish culture. This is often seen in non-Irish citizens who have a romantic or noble savage image of "the Irish Race," and those who enact stereotypes to appeal to tourists. This naming is a critical reaction to, and defiance of, the demeaning, inaccurate depictions of the Irish at celebrations that originated in the Irish diaspora, as well as the commercialisation and distortion of St. Patrick's Day.

I might flip the question "why don't more Scottish people wear kilts?" and ask "why don't more Americans wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots?"

They're sort of equivalent, being the worldwide stereotypes of Scotland and the USA respectively.

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

[Profane James]

"Pocket Scots"...missed opportunity for a male genital joke...

[DWFII]

Its the first time I've heard "pocket Scot"... it brings to mind the Irish term "plastic Paddy" which I often hear.

I might flip the question "why don't more Scottish people wear kilts?" and ask "why don't more Americans wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots?"

They're sort of equivalent, being the worldwide stereotypes of Scotland and the USA respectively.

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

I wore boots and hats for many years. The real issue with that is the fact that people misunderstand the culture (deliberately so?) and misinterpret what is appropriate when. It takes a little bit of research to pull it off...accurately and Traditionally.

And without that research, it looks pretentious and affected.

And that ruins it for everybody else. Simply because most people won't know, and won't care to know what it takes to be "authentic." So even if you are, you look pretentious to people who don't know. And people give you subtle cues that say they think you're pretending. Yes, yes "who cares what others think?"B ut no man is an island and all bravado and defiance aside, in the face of that, you can feel pretentious yourownself.

That's the key to wearing the kilt as well, IMO--wearing it authentically. And that authenticity comes from knowing what is appropriate...what a kilt is, perhaps, and what it represents...and where and when. That's respect. And without respect, it's costume.

I make cowboy boots (for the last 45+ years) and yet I feel uncomfortable wearing western wear anymore. Even at western events.

IMO, it's almost a variation of the "Stolen Valor" meme. If you didn't earn it, you don't know what it's about. If you don't know what it's about, it's pretense.

And if you have earned it, it can feel graceless to draw attention to yourself.

IMO...YMMV

[Liam]

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

As did I, and for many years as my casual wear with blue jeans. I still own a pair, but rarely wear them.

[Loxlie]

I might flip the question "why don't more Scottish people wear kilts?" and ask "why don't more Americans wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots?"

They're sort of equivalent, being the worldwide stereotypes of Scotland and the USA respectively.

(Just for the record, I wore cowboy boots daily during my teenage years.)

Cowboy hats and boots are requisite, here in Texas.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Gee, maybe I'm a victim of some sort of arrested development, but I still wear both. However, I'm old enough that I figure one should wear whatever he feels comfortable with, and if somebody doesn't like it, it's their own problem. Plus, so many modern folks dress like total slobs that it isn't hard to be dressed better than they are in almost anything. You only go around once - might as well look decent doing it.

[Micric]

Todd, I had to laugh at your post above, but you are dead right!!

Both outfits look good as well!