What the kilt means to you

[gilmore]

Even though some of my Scots ancestors, the Gilmores, came to the colonies over 250 years ago, their stories were passed down to the present day. Being in the American South, we are great story tellers. Some of them have the added advantage of being true. My immediate family has been doing genealogical research for some 30 years, other relatives for much longer than that, that has borne out the stories more or less. How the research results varies from the stories can be interesting too, in its own way. At any rate having spent years sorting out truth from fantasy, I am extremely reluctant to wear clan tartan that I do not have some direct connection with, notwithstanding that almost all clan tartans developed after my ancestors left Scotland. District tartans from the areas that my ancestors came from are fine enough for me.

The other reason to wear kilts is comfort. They are the second or third most comfortable men's garment I have worn.

[elitekiltedcommando]

I wear the kilt because:

- I am proud of my heritage.
- It helps show that Im my own person.
- It's just plain comfortable.
- I feel at home in plaid.
- I want to.
- Chicks dig it.
- It represents freedom.

[Sir Robert]

First, chicks dig it.

Second the English don't.

[ccga3359]

Non Scot but it has allowed me to meet some truly wonderful people.

[NancyMan]

Well my mother's maiden name was Clarke. Her grandfather was a Scot who married an Irish lass and settled down in Sligo. Their son emigrated to Canada and married a Brazilian born woman of Austrian heritage. Their daughter, my mother, mated with a man of mostly English but also of French ancestry. But that's not why I wear the kilt.

Its immensely more comfortable than trousers. But that's not why I wear the kilt.

The women go wild over it. But that's not why I wear the kilt.

It makes an indelible fashion statement. But that's not why I wear the kilt.

Its because I choose to wear it, that I wear the kilt.

And I like it!

[ardchoille]

I have traced my roots back to the proscription of clan Gregor (1600's) when the English, and many Scots, tried unsuccessfully to extinguish all MacGregors. Wearing the kilt means I am showing my support for my clan (and in pure comfort too) as well as remembering all my fallen brethren who died for no reason.

While there's leaves in the forrest and foam on the river
MacGregor despite them shall flourish forever!

They tried to wipe us out, yet here I am

[Azevedo]

I like kilts since I was 16. But that remain in the deeps of my mind, once I lived in Brazil. Some months ago here in Netherlands I went to a metal concert which one of the bands plays a mix of death metal and Celtic folk music. One of the guys was using a kilt. Then I got a visit of a reverend from a community from the Iona island and after that, two months ago, I went to a heavy metal festival. In my way there I found some guys in kilt. In the festival itself there was a lot of people kilted. As some band members as well. And there I got my first kilt. For me kilt were a very heavy metal related stuff! But with time (and participating on this forum) I realized there was much more there.... Now I got other 2 kilts and there is another one in the way

In short:

* It is a bad *** Heavy Metal stuff
* It is extremelly confortable
* I like Celtic culture and the way they related with divinities
* I am shy, so it is a way to people start talking with me
* It give a wonderful range of options (which trouses and alikes will never be able to offer)

[Raptor]

My family emigrated to Australia when I was a wee lad, & to date I have only been back once. I wear the kilt for the following reasons (in order):
To remind my grandchildren & children (& to an extent, myself) of who we are & where we're from.
Comfort
To show the Aussies I'm Scottish & PROUD!
To fly the Clan colours
Because I just plain enjoy wearing them

[Phil]

from Edinburgh. It just seems the natural thing to wear. And being Scottish and a bit careful with the bawbees I like a garment I can wear to the most dress-up function as well as out and about. At least we don't have the same midgie problem here in Edinburgh, they bite me something awful when I'm up the west coast and you just pray for a bit of a wind to blow them away.

[Wompet]

Well, when I started it was an expression of heritage by blood

So I guess there is some thrill of rebellion too. So many people in America are pushing their heritage and culture down other's throats. Traditionally the persons of Scottish descent over here have just gone quietly about their business. Assimilating into the culture.

It's nice to make a little noise there. If our recent arrivals from down south can demand that I learn their language to have a civil service job, I should be able to dress in the garb of my ancestors.

It's like I get to say "Hey my people have traditions too".

Then it became heritage by choice

I don't know if I was born a "Scot" but I know a Scot was born in me the first time I heard a pipe band and saw rows of kilts swinging in parade as a kid.

The comfort of wearing the kilt was a bonus. As was the range of weather and temperature it could be worn in (Chihuahuan desert to Lake Erie Snow Belt) and how it could be dressed up or dressed down.

In the last few years, something has reinforce my kilt-wearing

And although we shy clear of politics here, it is a reminder to me, not each time I strap one on, but frequently, that "this too was once banned by law."

At work, I'm told what to wear, how to cut my hair, what facial hair I can have, if I can have any obvious piercings or tattoos, how to talk, who to talk to, how to act. Outside of work, I wear a kilt whenever possible - it's become a way of saying "I am an individual, and I dare you to try and change that fact."

And there's that last thing

There's also the undisputable fact that I'm 50 years old, bald, a bit on the overweight side, only middlin' charming, a professional geek and there you have it. Who notices or cares about someone like that? I disappear into the volid when I wear pants. But when I put on a kilt, people notice, and people remember me.

Okay, so I'm 33 and have my hair, but the rest applies. But when I walk into a shop, store, or restaurant, there's no way the staff can pretend that they haven't noticed me. When wearing pants I was overlooked, blending into the background; not so in the kilt.

And if I catch the notice of a close-minded individual? Well, while they're standing there slack-jawed, I reach in there, pluck out their brain, and I play with it.