Sooooo, why don't more Scots wear kilts?

[Iolaus]

Criss makes a good point, and I would guess that's one of the reasons why we've heard people say that they've seen more kilts in Scotland lately.

[Pour1Malt]

aye- sign ma oop fur a kilt made oot a straw.... :rolleyes:

[Southern Breeze]

aye- sign ma oop fur a kilt made oot a straw.... :rolleyes:

Here, take your pick:
http://www.anytimecostumes.com/costumes/skirt.html

[Iolaus]

aye- sign ma oop fur a kilt made oot a straw.... :rolleyes:

Couldn't find straw, will this do?

[Pour1Malt]

Couldn't find straw, will this do?

aye...

here ya gae!

mai new "Texas-style" Straw kilt!

[Freelander Sporrano]

A Photoshop kilt now there's something I can afford

[Southern Breeze]

aye...

here ya gae!

mai new "Texas-style" Straw kilt!

Priceless!

[macwilkin]

Ironically, whilst watching a documentary last night on the DVD of the new Alamo movie, the director, Texan John Lee Hancock made the comment that "if you're expecting a western, you won't find it here...it looks more like Charles Dickens meets the Wild West"! So, really, the notion of the modern "cowboy hat" really isn't "original" to Texas history anyway, even though the symbol has become associated with Texas more recently.

Chris, I understand your point, but for many of us "traditionalists", the kilt is a garment that has too special of a meaning and symbolism to be worn everyday. Notice that I said "for many of us", speaking only for fellow traditionalists there who share my opinion, no one else. I don't want my kilt to become just another piece of clothing in my wardrobe, because it symbolises for me my heritage and family history.

I hope you can understand and respect my viewpoint here, as a self-proclaimed "traditionalist".

Regards,

Todd

[NewKilt]

Chris, I understand your point, but for many of us "traditionalists", the kilt is a garment that has too special of a meaning and symbolism to be worn everyday. Notice that I said "for many of us", speaking only for fellow traditionalists there who share my opinion, no one else. I don't want my kilt to become just another piece of clothing in my wardrobe, because it symbolises for me my heritage and family history.

I hope you can understand and respect my viewpoint here, as a self-proclaimed "traditionalist".

Regards,

Todd

That is very understandable, and I completely respect your viewpoint. I would think that many Scots would be traditionalists as well, which would be one of the reasons why most kilt wearing is for special occasions. Of course from the previous thread it appears to be much more complex, and is a combination of many factors.

I do wear a kilt everyday, and since I'm not a pure traditionalist, I have traditional wool, traditional style in canvas, and contemporary. I realize that many would not consider my comtemporary kilts or canvas kilts to be kilts, but I'm perfectly OK with that and respect their opinions.

Perhaps some time in the future, men in Scotland will be more receptive to kilts in materials other than wool, and be more receptive to contemporary kilts, which might increase kilt wearing. Perhaps not - we change very slowly.

Just make sure that if you get one of those straw kilts posted on another thread, that you: stay away from any animals that eat straw, avoid birds that are building their nests, and observe the no smoking label on the inside.

Darrell

[Chris Webb]

Chris, I understand your point, but for many of us "traditionalists", the kilt is a garment that has too special of a meaning and symbolism to be worn everyday. Notice that I said "for many of us", speaking only for fellow traditionalists there who share my opinion, no one else. I don't want my kilt to become just another piece of clothing in my wardrobe, because it symbolises for me my heritage and family history.

I hope you can understand and respect my viewpoint here, as a self-proclaimed "traditionalist".

Regards,

Todd

Todd,

I most certainly respect your viewpoint. I'm not a traditionalist where kilts are concerned ... I wear kilts for a wide variety of reasons including medical, comfort, rebelion and just a wee bit of Scots-Irish pride.

I'm just one of a growing number of men who are just sick of pants. A Scottish Kilt, from my perspective, is not greatly different than a Western Hat ... both garments may have cultural significance, both likely do not greatly resemble their original and niether one finds it's first appearance in the land that claims it. But, both hat and kilt are damned fine, practical garments for the Hellish climate we have here in Texas.

Men have been wearing kilt like garments before there was ever a Scotland just like men have been wearing wide brimmed hats long before there was a Texas. As we Texans don't hold it against the Scots for claiming their particular form of man-skirt, the modern kilt, to be somehow wholey their own I can only hope that Scots would allow us the same latitude in claiming the modern Western or Cowboy Hat as our own.

There are, of course, Traditionalists in Texas as well. They take great pride in all that has become associated with Texas in terms of Western Clothing and are careful to pay attention to the smallest of details. Like you, with your kilt, they dawn their Western Out-fits on special occasions and wouldn't think of actually going out to mow they yard in it. Too much is invested in it monetarily and emotionally, in terms of heritage, to risk damaging any part of it. I have such an out-fit myself and the total value of it meets or exceeds the total value of the best of the most formal Scottish Kilt out-fits.

For me, the Cowboy out-fit has the same depth of history, heritage and family/regional pride as any family tartaned kilt has for a Kilt Traditionalist. For me it's my 10X Stetson, White Panhandle Slim, full yoke, pearl snap shirt, Mexican Silver matching Belt and Bolo Tie and Tony Lama Boots that hang carefully in my closet in wait of just the right occassion to be brought out. For me kilts are for work and play just like jeans or a Cowboy Hat might be for work and play for you.

It's all a matter of perspective. I've enjoyed the good natured posts in this thread regarding the Texas Straw Kilt but don't think for one moment that I don't have as much pride in my heritage and the clothing that represents it as any Scot has in the same. Actually, if a Texan did make a straw kilt it would likely be woven, pleated and belted rather than the grass skirt depicted. LOL!!!

Anyway, I stand by my original notion both in this thread and the previous 'why don't Scots wear kilts' thread that the reasons Kilt out-fits in Scotland have gone the way of Western out-fits in Texas are basically the same, if not completely the same. As such, the resurgence of the kilt will depend on the Scots making some of the same decisions about kilts that we Texans have made about Hats.

What are these decisions: A modern Cowboy hat does not have to be made of Beaver Felt, does not have to be accompanied by all the other accessories traditionally assigned to it, and can be worn and even alterred by anyone who appreciates it for what it is: a damned fine way to look snappy and to keep the sun off your face, ears and neck.

Similar decisions made by the people of Scotland could, and possibly already do, make a difference in the number of kilts seen on the general population there.

We are both Traditionalists, just for different traditions. However, we both know that there are elements in our tradition that are actually best left to special occassions. But there are elements that deserve, by virtue of their wearability and practicallity, to be shared with all and even worn by us on a daily basis.

That's why I wear a Cowboy hat with my kilt when I work on the hot, sunny days of Texas. I dishonor neither my own Traditional garb or yours, no, I just celebrate the best of them both by wearing them for what they really are ... damned fine clothing.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Webb