What the kilt means to you

[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.

[Andrewson]

I am a Scot who point-blank refused to wear a kilt when I was a boy growing up in Scotland. No amount of persuasion by my mother had any effect - and she really did try.

I first wore one about 17 years ago because my wife and I had got back into Scottish Country Dancing and we were selected to do a display somewhere. I then discovered just how comfortable it was, especially for dancing but also just in general. Then I discovered the attention it got when worn for non-Scottish black tie events. Not just comfortable clothing but a boost to my self esteem. How could I then resist? And, as a bonus, I have now discovered many more fellow Scots (and folk with a Scottish connection) in the local community because they go out of their way to introduce themselves to me in my kilt.

Comfort
Confidence
National pride