I'd like to make a couple of points about kilts. First I'd like to acknowledge that the cost of kilts, as has been mentioned before, is a major deterrent to the wearing of the traditional handmade Scottish kilt on an every-day basis.

And history does have much to tell us about why kilts are not more popular. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that wearing of tartans and kilts was outlawed by the crown for a period. That banning of tartans is what caused the general confusion about what a particular clan's "tartan" really is. The wearing of tartans and of kilts was almost wiped out by both the law and later desires to be inculturated to the norms of the rest of Europe.

But before anyone starts yelling about anti-British sentiment, I'm not trying to be anti-anyone. I'm just pointing out a point of history.

And I'd also like to point out another bit of history. The revival of the kilt, the revival of clan tartans, and the very form of the modern philabeg was brought about by enjoyment of all things Scottish by King George IV & Queen Victoria, God rest their souls. While many would blame the English for the near loss of the kilt to history, the Monarchs of the United Kingdom also deserve the credit for reviving and repopularizing the kilt.

Also, personally I am quite the traditionalist in my attire. But I also believe in wearing a kilt every day. When it is a special occassion I'll pull out the full PC outfit, but I think a kilt is too wonderful a garment to hide it away in a dark closet.

I hope that the Scots still in Scotland will increase their frequency of kilt wearing. And when they do, they should take a few fashion pointers from Prince Charles, since he always looks quite dashing in his kilts.