Please explain...

[RobertsonII]

Do these non-tartan kilts tick you off?

First let me begin by stating that Mr. Newsome you are someone I truly respect. I have to take time to really reflect now upon what I said. To answer your question no these listed pictures I do not take offense to. I was refering to others. I am trying to watch how I word things because I know I am walking on a thin line here. The kilts and prints I was refering to is the utility kilts with cargo pockets in a veriety of colors. I believe I mentioned the one sold at Hot Topic as well.

You need to be very careful in painting with broad strokes as you are. Condemning anything other than wearing a kilt in your own bonifide clan tartan while calling on "tradition" to back your opinion is not justifiable. There is a lot more in the realm of traditional Scottish attire than clan tartans.

I hoestly did not bring up tradition. I know that family tartans in the history of kilts are somewhat recent. I also know some of the history of the kilt as I have visited your site and blog often . I also know what would happen if a Campbell was wearing Robertson Red and walked by a Clan Donnachaidh tent at a highland game. That being said let me appoligize to you and some of the others here for my wording (not my stance). I meant to open this thread for debate not act like I was bashing anyones choices.

[Panache]

...That being said let me appoligize to you and some of the others here for my wording (not my stance). I meant to open this thread for debate not act like I was bashing anyones choices.

Roberston II,

Their are plenty of staunch traditionalists here at XMTS (we even have a forum for discussion of nothing but tradtional kilts) so you will find yourself in good company.

Asking why people are drawn to Modern Kilts is fine.

Debate is fine.

Disagreement is fine as long as it does not become disagreeable.

A favorite phrase of Todd (cajunscot) is "different horses for different courses"

We are lucky here at XMTS to have such a diversity of kilt wearers.

Let the thread continue in the spirit of good fellowship that distinguishes our forum.

Cheers

Jamie

[M. A. C. Newsome]

First let me begin by stating that Mr. Newsome you are someone I truly respect. I have to take time to really reflect now upon what I said. To answer your question no these listed pictures I do not take offense to. I was refering to others. I am trying to watch how I word things because I know I am walking on a thin line here. The kilts and prints I was refering to is the utility kilts with cargo pockets in a veriety of colors. I believe I mentioned the one sold at Hot Topic as well.

Thanks for clarifying your position. Saying "I don't like Utilikilts or kilts with cargo pockets" is fine. This is more specific than your original posts, which seemed to indicate disfavor of anything other than a kilt worn in the correct clan tartan.

It's also fine to say you don't like solid kilts at all. It would be perfectly legitimate for one not to favor the style of kilts worn by the USMC pipe band or the London Scottish, for instance. What kilt to wear is essentially a personal decision and each will have their own tastes and preferences.

There is a difference, though, between not liking a particular fashion and condemning those who do like that fashion.

Frankly, I agree with you in that I don't like Utilikilts. Why? Primarily I just don't like the way they look. It's about that simple. Not my thing. So I just don't hang out here in the "Contemporary & Non-traditional kilts" category. No big deal.

But if you do come here and post a question asking why people choose to wear this style of kilt.... well, expect their answers! :-)

M

[The Wizard of BC]

OK, here is my answer to your question.

First, a message from our sponsors. I own and wear Traditional Style Kilts, I own and wear Casual Style Kilts, I own and wear Contemporary Style Kilts, I own, but don't wear anymore, MUG's.

The Traditional Style Kilt that is my hands down favorite is my Barb Tewksbury in 16oz Highland Granite. I guess this would come under your category of non-real kilt because the Tartan is a fashion tartan. It has no clan or even district affiliation.
Why do I wear this kilt? Because it is the most wonderful feeling garment I have ever owned.
What do I dislike about this kilt? I have no where to put my keys and change, no where to put my hands. I also dislike the process of hand washing this kilt.

My favorite Casual Style Kilts are my two USA Semi-Trads.
I like them because they are almost as nice as a full traditional. I can wear them casually or dressy equally well. I also like the machine washability.
I dislike the fabric weight. P/V is a lightweight fabric. It doesn't get really cold here in Victoria but I often feel chilly in my P/V kilts.

My favorite Contemporary Style Kilt is my 6 Color Desert Camo, Cargo Model Freedom Kilt.
I like that It has pockets. 7 of them to be exact. I have a pocket for my paperback book, one for my coffee mug, one for my pipe and tobacco, one for my keys and change, one for my wallet one for my cell phone and still have one left over.
I dislike that I don't have 35 of them. One in each fabric I carry in stock.
My second favorite is my Tartan Model in the X Marks Tartan. In this kilt I have the best of both worlds. A kilt with pockets and my Clan Tartan.

This paragraph deleted

Does this adequately answer your question?

[davedove]

I'll turn the question around and ask why you would wear a shirt of a particular color, unless that color had a specific meaning to you. Although many on the forum choose a tartan kilt because of some affiliation, others wear a kilt simply as a garment. The kilts I wear most are in tartans that have some connection for me, but I do have others. Understanding why different people make different decisions would take forever, as each person has a different reason.

[BoldHighlander]

Honestly, you can like or dislike contemporary kilts. That's your choice. I, personally, don't like many "contemporary" style kilts. That's one reason why you don't see me posting often in the "contemporary & non-traditional kilt" category. But I don't begrudge anyone else their choice in wearing them.

There is a lot more in the realm of traditional Scottish attire than clan tartans.

Aye, well written Matt. I agree in that I'm not a big fan of "contemporary" style kilts either, but I don't begrudge anyone's choice to wear them as long as they don't begrudge mine to wear wool in a more "traditional" manner, rather it be tartan or solid tweed colours.

However a recent thread on gardening & kilts has swayed me to the idea of a canvas kilt for such endeavors so as not to wear out my more expensive wool kilt & to easily aide in cleaning up!

As a friend of mine use to say: "to each their own said the old lady as she kissed her cow"

[berserkbishop]

There is a wide variety of garments that are not "traditional" kilts. I only own one "traditional" kilt right now. I own 1 SWK standard in hunting MacLeod, 1 gold bros abomination, and 1 very beautiful handsewn kilt in MacMillan (not my clan tartan at all). I bought the SWK and Gold Bros kilts to wear for the highland games and to see if I would like wearing a kilt. There is no use buying a $500 garment you wont wear IMO. Turns out I like wearing a kilt. Do I think it will replace my trousers, no, but on occasion when the mood strikes I strap one on with pride. Now that I have a handsewn kilt, I dont know if I will ever wear my others. . . .they feel so cheap in comparison. Again, it is not my tartan, but I sport it with pride because it is was a gift that I appreciate very much. There are many reasons why I like wearing a kilt. Yes I have Scottish blood, but it is lowland blood so really trews would be more appropriate, so it isint really to honor ancestors so much. I like the freedom, comfort, and statement that is made when wearing a kilt. I am extroverted, so I eat up the attention. I enjoy the camaraderie that there is with kilt wearers as well.

I never thought I would get into wearing kilts with pockets and such, but I found a use for it. I used to wear a kilt on campus nearly every week. I strapped on my MacMillan handsewn to strut about campus on, then I remember we were playing with acid in lab that day. Beautiful, expensive kilt + acid= a BERSERK bishop. So, to be safe I took off my kilt and put on some trousers. I would have rather been in a kilt. . . . . Solution the Mowgli made kilt that is on its way to my house. I get to still be kilted and make and I dont have to fret so much about messing up a costly garment.

I guess all that can be summed up like this. Why do I ride a motorcycle when cars are the more prominent and accepted form of transportation that the majority of American's use. I I ride a motorcycle because I find it practical, fun, and it sets me apart from the crowd. Not to mention the biker camaraderie. Same goes for me and ANY type of kilt, or man skirt if you dont consider contemporary kilts a kilt.

Ok thats enough. Sorry for the novel.

BB

[northernsky]

Thanks to RobertsonII for getting this string started--honestly. I have learned a great deal about kilts and about some of the members of this great place we call X. The first kilt I wore was a polyviscous Fraser Hunting in a Dragon Boat race last spring. I loved the freedom so much I bought a wool 4 yd.Hunting Mackinnon just so I had one of my own. I now own or have on order, an 8 Yd Ancient Mackinnon, a Polyviscous Hunting (so I can race in my 'own colours') and a polyester 'brightly coloured' (you guess which one...) kilt for mucking around in. One day I hope to own a box pleated Davidson, a ultilikilt and anything else that looks comfortable, practicle and handsome. I have work my kilt to work--I teach in a HIgh School--to the great interest of students and fellow teachers alike. Yes they think I'm a bit eccentric, but they did before I wore a kilt too. Another faculty member has the most beautiful black leather kilt--and a 6'4'' frame to wear it on! So I am not alone in my kiltish wear. I wear a kilt because I can!

[string]

Not to get into the drama, but official tartans and clan tartans are an invention of the Victorian Era, there is a whole lotta kilted history previous to then.

[Ozman1944]

Well; you see, it's a free country, and I can wear (or not) whatever I want, wherever and whenever I want. Simple, eh?
I enjoy wearing kilts, I also enjoy switching colors.
Even if my Ancestors were NOT Scots,- which they were, by the way- I'd still wear them.
I could've chosen a Muslim Burkha, or German Leiderhosen but found the Kilt more comfy. and practical.