Progress???

[pbpersson]

I think that anytime any of us wears a kilt in public in a casual setting - such as shopping, going to a restaurant, etc. we are making a difference.

Now....I'm going to go out on a limb and say that when it comes to changing the mindset of society the Utilikilts go farther in that respect than a traditional tartan kilt.

If I see someone in a traditional tartan I figure they are returning/going to a special event or it is a Scottish holiday or it is the anniversary of some relative's death or some cultural heritage thing or whatever.

If I see some guy shopping in a Utilikilt I say....oh, there's some guy who likes to wear kilts.....

However, if we can get kilts of any kind in front of people's eyes then the more they see them the more it will sink in that this is male clothing, it has been for hundreds of years, and they are coming back.

The more they see them, the more they will accept them.

I'm planning to walk all the malls in the Phoenix area to get all the laughs out of the way now so it'll be easier for those who walk the kilted path behind me. :-)

Even if you don't see progress, we are making progress although it might only be in people's minds.

[Graham]

Symbiotic relationship?

Now that's the kind of relationship I like!!

[Kilted KT]

ABSOLUTELY!!!

the more we wear the kilt, and promote the hell out of it, we are increaseing the kilt-knowledge level of the avereage lay-person. I have seen an increased acceptance of the kilt here in Tulsa withing the past year ( that I have been wearing the kilt) and more especially since I started KiltsRock.com, and have been developing a clothing brand based on the kiltie.

I have also seen a growing interest in all things kilted based on my experiences on Myspace.com. I've had an increasingly positive response to the kilt, and am building a following out there.

basically, I think we are doing a GREAT job bringing the kilt to the unkilted!

I raise a dram to all of my kilted bretheren!!!!

[pdcorlis]

Every time i wear a kilt in public I see myself as an ambassador of the kilt. I therefore have a duty to wear it well, whether formal or casual, with careful co-ordination with colours, leathers, with balance and harmony. This extends to my attitude, deportment, including carefulness with modesty.

First off - its great to see you posting again Graham. Second, This is a wonderful post. I agree whole heartedly.

I'm not out to change the world -but I do understand that when I wear a kilt it isn't "just about me." When I wear a kilt, I join generations of proud kilted gents that stretch back into history - and hopefully - progress into the future as well. A kilted ambassador indeed!

[cavscout]

I think a huge part of effecting a positive change is to educate and broaden the minds of not only the people around us but also ourselves. That is a huge reason to be apart of this forum.

I've noticed in myself an increased appreciation and understnading of how to wear the kilt as an everyday garment as well as learning more about the accurate history of the kilt. I was as guilty as anyone else of the Americanised notions about who can and can't wear a kilt, how long it should be, what materials can it be made of, why should it have to cost $700, and all the other entry level questions.

After a lot of reading and studying of the posts by Matt, Todd and so many of our Scot's members I've been so much better equiped to deal with the tartan police, curious questions, and odd stares. I've watched as my appreciation of what I consider a quality kilt has come to. At first I'd have said "hey, a sportkilt is good enough". After wearing various kilts I see the difference in features and tailoring and can better value what goes into a USAK, FK, PK and the many tanks out there.

Nothing can do more damage to the image of kilts than an il-equiped kilt wearer trying to preach, "the gospel" of kilts.

[Colin]

I just wear my kilts when I want to. I don't have a goal or objective to my kiltwearing other than to represent my heritage. If I influence someone while I am wearing a kilt.......great. If not....no skin off my nose.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Hmmmh, good question. Not sure there has been any progress, or any that we on this board could directly tie to our own actions. However, it appears that kilts, and really anything Scottish/Irish/Welsh/Celtic, are enjoying a surge in popularity. Which is good and I hope it continues. I will keep on kilting as my way of insuring that it does.

And welcome back Graham!

[starbkjrus]

Hell-o all,

Do you feel that we have made progress in educating the masses about Kilts? Are we spinning our wheels? Do we react differently to those odd comments? Are we better off than where we were six months ago, a year or more?

Well Glen, by no means were we the only help or even the majority but we did contribute to this one -- Two Words: Nathan Warmack

A little here and a little there and soon you have a snowball.

[morrison]

Kilt wearing to some (starting with me) is a way of life. Simply everyday clothing, so what? To a few others the kilt is a quick way of drawing attention to ones self. And to the masses whom have yet to make the acquaintance of a man in kilt, the kilt is:
a. a costume;
b. out of place;
c. wierd;
d. ok for you but not me;
e. for those (what?) kind of people?;
f. kinda good looking;
g. comfortable looking, wish I could wear one;
h. too new around here. But, I would wear one if I saw more people or friends in them;
i. _______;
j. _______;
k. made of that clan tartan design from that noteworthy clan in the north area of Scotland on the highland, a few kilometers west of Loch Meadie!;
l. a proper construct of pattern and materials from the kiltmaker near our home!;
m. very much like mine. Where can I find one like yours for my own?
Those last few choices seem at this time a bit utopian. But, they're not unattainable in our generation!

cavscout, likely illustrates the most important perspective in the entirety of this string. For me (us) as an american or any free citizen in whatever domain, living free; I ought to be educated, confident, apt to speak truthfully and directly to queries from the curious, and be aware of my own minor place as an individual in the bigger picture.

I think ... ... educate and broaden the minds of not only the people around us but also ourselves.
....After a lot of reading and studying ... ...I've been so much better equiped to deal with the tartan police, curious questions, and odd stares.
Nothing can do more damage to the image of kilts than an il-equiped kilt wearer trying to preach, "the gospel" of kilts.

My belief is that by living my life right out in front of and in the midst of the the people that are here where I live, I will be creating an immeasurable impact. I'll just keep on keepin' on and soon enough there may be change. But, remember, I'm really not concerned with that malarky. I like wearing my clothing which suits me fine. My clothing usually is a kilt - morrison (aka-Russell)

..........I just wear my kilts when I want to. I don't have a goal or objective to my kiltwearing other than to represent my heritage. If I influence someone while I am wearing a kilt.......great. If not....no skin off my nose. - colin
Thanx colin.

[Zardoz]

In my daily life I very rarely see anyone else in a kilt around here, unless it somewhere you'd expect to see them, but I do think the idea of kilts as 'normal' clothing is coming along with media and the public.

In the last couple of months I've seen several folks kilted where I wouldn't expect to see them; at concerts and clubs, in my store, and most notably, at a big science fiction convention here. http://www.midamericon.org/photoarchive/06apollo4.htm

At the con there were quite a few folks kilted full time, mostly in Utilikilts, but its a start. No offense, but I just don't care for UKs, but in reality I think most of the gains we see are due to UK, they seem to have the most presence in the media, and are a simple gateway into the kilt world for many folks, and I bet a few of them move on to more 'traditonal' outfits.