I was just going to post a thread regarding this subject because I am also planning to wear my kilt to mass this evening in honour of All Saints Day! In fact I frequently wear my kilt to church, Saint's Day or no. Or rather I should say I'm going to mass today because it is All Saints, and I'm also going to wear my kilt. At any rate...

Having been a kilt wearer for something on ten years now, church had always been a place I felt it was very appropriate to wear my kilt. But when I read Mr Newsome's blog post (see link below) a few months back, his reasoning really put me to the test in this matter. Though I am Episcopalean, I have very similar views to Mr Newsome regarding proper behaviour (including attire) in church, and so it took me several weeks of wressling with the question of wearing my kilt to church before I felt I had come to terms with the subject.

Though I have the utmost respect for Mr Newsome's standpointe, I must disagree in the end with his final opinion. At the same time I think that this is not a black & white or cut & dry issue either! What it boils down to in my opinion is wheather or not you are a constant distraction to others during the service. Yes, you will certainly be noticed when you come into church wearing a kilt, and if you go to take the sacrements etc, but otherwise the kilt worn in an appropriately conservative (and some might say traditional) manner is no more distracting than a very attractive man/woman coming to the service. Just because I'm smashingly good looking do I have to wear a shroud just in case someone is distracted during the service by my oh-so-striking good looks? I think that's taking it a bit far... Of course you can still be badly dressed in a kilt, and being badly dressed is just being badly dressed- kilt or no kilt.

I wholeheartedly believe that the kilt in and from its traditional origins is a modest and absolutely respectable attire for the church service. Of course, as I said, I dont think this is a black & white issue, so there are certainly exceptions. Primarily I see these exceptions in how you wear the kilt, and your attitude and purpose for wearing it to the service. I think one should wear his kilt to church most importantly to honour their heritage (both Scottish and Christian) and show appropriate respect of their place of worship. If it is worn to get attention, yes- you've rather missed the pointe. And as with any form of dress, it can be taken too far for the instance of a church service, eg I dont think full on period dress with great kilt, broad sword etc is appropriate for a church service (unless maybe you're at a Renn faire).

Regarding the consideration for the inclinations of fellow parisioners, ie are they easily distracted to start with or prone to gossip and whisper about other parisioners during service etc, I believe this matter is simply put to rest by your behaviour while attending the service in your kilt. Despite the fact that you may be a pointe of interest because of your kilt, if you are behaving appropriately, ie sitting quietly & paying attention, earnestly following the service etc, you will be leading by example and actually a GOOD influence on the less inclined parrisioners and attendees! PLUS you will be a boon to the perservation and promotion of your Gaelic heritage!

So wearing the kilt to church is a good thing!

Quote Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome
Here is a link to my blog posting that KiltedCodeWarrior mentioned:
http://blog.albanach.org/2006/04/why...or-easter.html

The context there is wearing the kilt to Mass on Easter, but the same basic principles apply. It explains why I, as a Catholic, do not make a habit of wearing a kilt to Mass (and why there are certain exceptions, such as Weddings).

Oh, and Cirthalion, Catholics certainly celebrate All Saints Day as well! Where do you think Anglicans got it from? :-)

We now return you to your regularly scheduled kilt discussion....