is it just me?

[benkilt]

Whilst asking a couple of questions here and there on the forums, I have noticed a certain 'preciousness' and snobbery from some members. Right, here goes, I do not know my lineage, not because I am from some unknown gutter or teenage crack-whore, but because I couldn't care less, and therefore haven't bothered to enquire, it's simply of no interest to me at all. I have no tradition of wearing a kilt either in my family or even my country, and for me to start wearing one is actually quite brave, especially considering the very personal animosity of my wife and her relatives, but, my reasons for persisting in doing so are entirely selfish, I like the feel of the kilt, the look of the kilt and the comfort it affords me. I do not want to wear the entire 'uniform', the kilt is fine with me, and a sporran for putting my 'stuff' in, I wear boots, not brogues, but immediately I write that, I am criticised for not wanting to be that way or being dressed that way, however, I'm an individual not a stereotype. I do not go on 'pub crawls', or to football matches, neither do I criticise other members for their choice of outfits, it's a free world. What comes across from certain individuals is that every one of us should, and would wear an 8 yard,16oz wool kilt, plus all the other accoutrements of formal dress if we only could. Is that truly the goal of us all?

[Panache]

I think that you will will find a wide variety of individuals here with various styles of kilted dress. I haven't noticed any particularly critical posts in response to your questions. Many people here favor the scrunched down hose, boots, traditonal kilt and sporran for a nice casual daily outfit. Others wear the kilt on special occassions and when they do they go all out and enjoy all the dashing accessories. Still others love their modern kilt variants and wear them with pride. I am one of those who does all three personally. A lot of time on the forum people submit that one should keep their options open. I'm sure no offense was intended.

Cheers

Jamie

[turpin]

"Is that truly the goal of us all?"

No.

Members express their preferences, some more vigorously than others. Many end their opinion posts with a disclaimer, such as:

"But that's just me, do what you like and what makes you comfortable".

This may, in some cases, sound snobbish, but I truly believe that for the vast majority of us we are just offering opinions, experience, and options. Some are more entrenched than others, but in over 2000 members you are going to get a full cross-section of people and, if you stay around, you'll soon learn a lot about us.

Also, the written word is an imperfect substitute for personal contact, and a lot of non-verbal information about what a person means is lost. That's why we have emoticons. Steve Ashton, the Wizard of BC, Started a recent thread about being misunderstood in his posts. If you haven't read it you should. He's pretty eloquent for an engineer.

cheers

[Monkey@Arms]

I think its just human nature for people to think others should act or think like they do, and kilt wearers are not immune. Thus if one is into a particular style of kilt wearing, or school of thought as to why or wherefores, they are likely to propound it. Some are just a little more insistent than others. As you pointed out, if we really wanted to conform, there are easier ways than wearing a kilt.

Best regards,

Jake

[McMurdo]

I just went back to reread your post about the whole 8 yrds, as I responded to it and used the term "Pub Crawl." If you were offended by my response I must apologize, I for one was not talking down to you and if that is how it seemed then I sincerely apologize as this was not my intent.

At the moment I am wearing a 5 yard P.V. kilt I have both wool and P.V. and they each have their place in my wardrobe, however your question before was "Do I really need one?" An 8 yard 16oz kilt

I reread what everyone said and I fail to see where anyone was acting like a kilt snob, but perhaps thats just me.

I have found with this forum and others that it is very difficult to grasp the entire meaning behind each post, sometimes you just have to stick around a while to find out who the different personalities are.

[benkilt]

Hi gentlemen, especially McMurdo, no offence taken, and I must add a bit of clarification to my initial post. I wear a kilt because I want to, and many of us know that they are truly addictive But, there appear to be so many people who want to preach the freedom of the kilt in one breath, and then lay down rules in the next, the length of the kilt, the tartan worn, the cloth, how many pleats constitute a kilt etc. It just seems that some people, not necessariliy on this forum are caught up in 'the rules and regulations' of kilts and kiltwearing and are forgetting to just enjoy it, and wlecome others enjoying it. And the 'pub crawl' comment? look at most of the British 'highlandwear' websites, and their cheaper kilts are sold for wearing at the pub, football or rugby matches etc, never because it's an affordable entry into the vast and varied realm of kiltdom. Anyway, all the best, take care.

[Clockwork John]

Ben, I think when people here use the terms "pub crawl" or "football match" they are simply using them as synonyms for casual wear. Also, when someone "lays down the rules of Kiltdom" they probably don't intend them to be hard and fast rules, but rather, to make the point that a kilt is a garment with a long, rich history and heritage, and should be worn as such. The point that people are trying to get across is, the kilt is a garment, not a costume, and if you're going to wear a kilt, wear it well. You don't have to wear, or even own, a PC or an Argyll, or ghillies, or flashes, or hose... but whatever you wear, make sure it looks good.

[cessna152towser]

What comes across from certain individuals is that every one of us should, and would wear an 8 yard,16oz wool kilt, plus all the other accoutrements of formal dress if we only could. Is that truly the goal of us all?

No, no, no, kilts are for all occasions, and the full outfit isn't always our goal. An 8 yard, 16 oz. wool kilt with all the accoutrements for a formal dinner or a wedding, or with just a plain sporran for the office; a 5-yard 13 oz. kilt for hillwalking; denim kilts with thick ankle socks for travelling; camo. kilts for going to the shops; cheap polycotton kilts for working around the house and garden - I have the full range and don't regard myself as a kilt snob.

[MacWage]

Actually, I DON'T think everyone needs an 8 yard knife pleated 16 oz tank.
I think they NEED a "4 yard" 16 oz box pleat one .

In all seriousness, there is a HUGE group of opinions on this forum. Many like the heavy knife pleated ones and think EVERYONE needs one. One think that "tanks" are a waste of money and have a dozen or more USA Kilts or Canadian Casuals P/V.s, Stillwaters, Frugals and the like. Others ONLY like Utilikilts and similar ones.
Most are somewhere in between, with a mix.

I am one of the nutty ones that makes their own (ALL of the ones I presently own were made BY me) and I tend to like the feel and look of a 4 yard box-pleat kilt. Of course making them myself drops the 16 ouncers into the $150-200 level (PLUS a heck of a lot of hours and my own labor). I would HAVE to sell them for A LOT more than that to cover my own labor.

Hang out a while and you'll find the ones you agree with continually, the ones that are "pains" , and the VAST majority of nuts that are enjoying themselves. We MAY disagree, BUT we will get over it PRETTY QUICKLY!

[Tattoo Bradley]

I've got to agree with the statement about the written word being easily misunderstood. I've been guilty myself for getting a bit upset about a comment, only to later realize I misunderstood. Stick around. You'll soon learn everyone's quirks.