Quote Originally Posted by Tim Walker
I have to wonder...would the Scots diversify their wardrobes if they were to try on the nontraditional garments?
In my opinion, many of them already are doing so, Tim. I have many friends in various parts of Scotland, some of whom are 'into' kilt wearing and others who are not. When I am with them, not one of them makes any distinction between my traditional tartan kilts and my contemporary "21st Century Kilts" kilts. [For the uninitiated, these are traditional kilts except for the fact that they are usually not made in tartan fabrics, although they can be. They are tailored by the self-same kiltmakers who produce some of the finest traditional kilts available today. They are kilts! Who says kilts have to be tartan garments?].

I know of quite a few Scots, living in Scotland, who also wear "21st Century Kilts" kilts, or similar plain, or maybe camouflage, kilts in rotation with their traditional ones. They are worn for clubbing, pubbing and general socialising, but not at formal events where the traditional tartan kilt would be more appropriate. They are an alternative garment, not a replacement!

As for Utilikilts: as I have stated, I wear them in Scotland when others might wear jeans. I also cannot see any obvious connection between the Utilikilt and the traditional kilt and, after all the years I have been wearing them, I still see the Utilikilt as a man's s---t rather than a kilt - but I have absolutely no problems with that and feel somewhat sorry for those who do.

Our traditional kilt is probably the most versatile garment a man can possess. The same one can be worn with boots and a t-shirt in the morning and with a Prince Charlie (or a GT Doublet!!) in the evening. You can hardly do that with a pair of trousers. BUT, it must not be allowed to become a 'costume', a museum piece, which it will if it is not permitted to evolve. The kilt as we now know it has evolved during the past several hundred years, or longer, but there are those who want that process of evolution to be halted now. Why? We can still keep our (Victorian era) national costume, with its wonderful accessories, for events and circumstances that demand it, but for Goodness' sake, let us welcome the contemporary variations on the theme. By doing so our respect for 'things traditional' will be increased, because we want to keep them alive, not diminished.

Sorry Tim, that's rather a lengthy response to your wonderfully concise question - but you know what I am like when I get going!