I think it is fine that to you kilts represent heritage. You don a kilt and it is worn as a link to your family and their history. There are other people here on X Marks the Scot who feel in a similar way. Often these people reserve their kilt wearing for only special and significant times of the year. (Though you should note that the association of specific tartans with a clan or location is a fairly recent convention)

To many others on our forum, kilts are in of themselves handsome and comfortable garments. This is justification enough to wear them with pride and enjoyment. As we like to wear our kilts for more than just special occasions it is nice that there is a wide variety of modern and traditional kilts that suit our needs for work and play.

The Scottish word "kilt" has become a universal term to represent a pleated skirt for men. Take a minute to look up "Fustanella" (the Greek men's skirt) more than not the definition includes the word kilt.

Just like back in Victoria's time new tartans are being designed. It seems to me that the majority of these new tartans are "universal" ones that invite everyone to enjoy this part of Scottish tradition.

Should golf be only for Scots and people of Scots descent? What about Whisky? How about the works of Burns?

Contemporary kilts (and traditional kilts in universal tartans or tartans chosen for their beauty rather than heritage reason) are masculine and show that this wonderful garment born in the Highlands of Scotland continues and thrives. Unlike the Fustanella that has become a historic costume the kilt is still seen as a garment. Modern kilts have helped perpetuate the tradition of kilts, for that reason if no other they deserve praise.

As someone with a fair number of traitional kilts and a few modern ones (including a pink one presented to me with great ceremony at our last Burns Night Supper in good fellowship) I am happy to enjoy both the heritage, the good looks, and the comfort of kilts.

Cheers

Jamie










Quote Originally Posted by RobertsonII View Post
Why do you wear a kilt?

What is with all the contemporary, non traditional and utility kilts? Honestly to me if it’s not a tartan of a lineage or location that you can claim through your ancestry then I fail to see the point. To each their own, but for me when I see a kilt being sold at Hot Topic or someone wearing a kilt in a bright pink camo pattern (just an example of any kilt not accepted by the kilt authority) I get really ticked off. I even fail to see the point in buy any kilt just because you like the color. To wear kilt is to show pride not a fashion choice .