Wearing A Kilt On Halloween

[Panache]

How could I forget....


.... Steampunk!




Giving this thread some thought I was reminded of a costume I wore a few years back for Halloween





Now wearing a kimono and the paired swords (both toys, one plastic the other wood) and calling myself a samurai or Japanese man would be wrong. It wouldn't be respectful.

However I was being a very specific character from the mini-series and novel Shōgun* and I think that made a big difference in terms of respect for the garment and the culture.

Cheers

Jamie

* Absolutely no one remembers the name "John Blackthorne" of "Anjin-san", however virtually every adult I met went "OH! You're Richard Chamberlain!!!" this included the Asian lady at the shop where I bought the kimono.

Maybe I should have gone as Dr. Kildare?

[Baeau]

.....* Absolutely no one remembers the name "John Blackthorne" of "Anjin-san", however virtually every adult I met went "OH! You're Richard Chamberlain!!!" this included the Asian lady at the shop where I bought the kimono.....

I must be the only one that does. Also, remember the Erasmus.

[Ivor]

Reading this thread brought to mind an incident when I was in a Target store in Florida just before Halloween. There, on the shelves, were dress-up costumes for DOGS! Yes DOGS. I must admit a fellow shopper was similarly bemused so my reaction was shared by this local also. I do hope that no-one considers dressing in a kilt for Halloween as a fancy dress outing and see an earlier post by a Scottish gentleman who shared that sentiment. Being new to this it all seems so confusing. One minute I read how circumspect I must be down to such simple things as the socks to wear and the next it seems anything goes!

[Nomad]

Reading this thread brought to mind an incident when I was in a Target store in Florida just before Halloween. There, on the shelves, were dress-up costumes for DOGS! Yes DOGS. I must admit a fellow shopper was similarly bemused so my reaction was shared by this local also. I do hope that no-one considers dressing in a kilt for Halloween as a fancy dress outing and see an earlier post by a Scottish gentleman who shared that sentiment. Being new to this it all seems so confusing. One minute I read how circumspect I must be down to such simple things as the socks to wear and the next it seems anything goes!

I can understand your confusion and I would love to say there is a simple answer but there isn't. I spent around 3 months going through most of the forums getting a feel for things.
I may have been born and spent my first 19 years in Scotland, but I am southern scots and kilts were only worn at official functions and that was a rarity in my childhood/adolescence.
Things have changed back home and kilts are commonly worn at official functions, but not otherwise, but that doesn't mean they are worn well, which is why I spent so much time on here "doing research".
I would thoroughly recommend going back through some of the older discussions on here, whilst I have flexible views on wearing a kilt I do think some things just look better if rules/guidelines are followed, then do some experimentation to see if it works.

Good luck

[Bluethunder90]

I do think some things just look better if rules/guidelines are followed, then do some experimentation to see if it works.

Good luck

Sound advice!

[Ivor]

Thanks for your advice, Nomad, and I am hoping to pick up as much good advice as possible here. The more I read the more I am confused, however, and a bit more time may be needed before I take the plunge. My wife is, like yourself, from a lowland Scottish background and has some knowledge from relatives so can be some help and would love me tonwear the kilt. Again it would probably be for special occasions as I really don’t see me as a Welshman wearing a kilt day to day but Rugby matches - well that’s something else. I will keep reading on here and asking questions when I need some advice.

[DanRatcliffe]

As far as I am concerned, it is not any different than jeans and a cowboy hat. Like all costumes, some will like it, some won't. Do what you want, some people will give you compliments, some will not or speak against you.

I should have added I were my kilt relatively often. I do get asked what is happening, a wedding, a parade, etc.? Many times I just reply, it is Friday, or Monday, or,or, or.

[Guthrumironhead]

* Absolutely no one remembers the name "John Blackthorne" of "Anjin-san", however virtually every adult I met went "OH! You're Richard Chamberlain!!!" this included the Asian lady at the shop where I bought the kimono.

I remember the Anjin-san well! I myself went as Yoshi Toranaga one year in homemade armor and horned helmet. I wasn't appropriating anyone's culture, just being a huge Toshiro Mifune fan .