Do Scotsmen REALLY wear the kilt?

[DWFII]

DWFII- that is a good question and maybe shouod be posed as another thread.

Sorry...I wasn't trying to hijack the thread. It just occurs to me that that's what is really at issue. The Scots don't seem to be too worried one way or the other about the fact that they don't wear the kilt much. They take it for granted maybe because it is their National Dress. They can put it on or take it off...no big deal.

Talk to a Scot...even in this thread...and there's always an undercurrent of, not "why don't we wear the kilt, but why do you?"

[ThistleDown]

Totally agree, Hamish. That was my point in another thread, which got a bit rubbished. I get a great catalogue frequently from John Norris in Penrith. It has lots of interesting outfits for the Huntin', Shootin', and Fishin' fraternity and while I don't endorse any of these activities, the kit is good for the great outdoors. It's a shame they don't embrace the kilt too as a viable outdoor clothing option.

I think it is important to recognise the basic rules of supply and demand. It is unlikely outfitters will ever stock what is not required by their customers. Well, except perhaps for House of Bruar. They carry a line of tweed kilts, but because there is small demand they rack them in a far corner of their very extensive countrywear department.

[ThistleDown]

What kind of reaction would you get if you asked for a single malt by name...ie. Laphroig 15 or Bruichladdich? Or would it depend on the region...Islands, Highlands, lowlands, etc?

Ask and you shall receive.

[Sionnach]

Sorry...I wasn't trying to hijack the thread. It just occurs to me that that's what is really at issue. The Scots don't seem to be too worried one way or the other about the fact that they don't wear the kilt much. They take it for granted maybe because it is their National Dress. They can put it on or take it off...no big deal.

Talk to a Scot...even in this thread...and there's always an undercurrent of, not "why don't we wear the kilt, but why do you?"

No, no, let me apologize- I found it a really intriguing question, especially after reading this thread and following it back to the other one. I found myself pondering that. ( I guess maybe I should be the one to open it- unless it has been discussed at length (ad nauseum) before.

[graham_s]

I wear one every so often.
It's not something you see often, but I do see people wearing one occasionally in town.
Except when there is a football game on. then they're everywhere.

[jrmiller]

The Scots wonder "...why don't we wear the kilt, but why do you?"

I think the answer is that others are borrowing from the Scots tradition because they simply like kilts. This is similar to the explosion of bluejeans, tennis shoes, bomber jackets and on and on. People adopt things they like and completely morph it into something new for themselves.

Look at what is happening to the kilt itself. One of the most commonly known facts, known among all school children is that a kilt is made from plaid and that the specific plaid represents a family. I can't remember a time when I personally didn't know that. However, the kilts that are really catching on are not the traditional plaids, but the modern plain material kilts. They have been adopted, co-opted and are in the process of changing.

That's why!

[Rusty]

John, When you say "plaid" I assume you're referring to Tartan, Right?

[cavscout]

Look at what is happening to the kilt itself. One of the most commonly known facts, known among all school children is that a kilt is made from plaid and that the specific plaid represents a family. I can't remember a time when I personally didn't know that. However, the kilts that are really catching on are not the traditional plaids, but the modern plain material kilts. They have been adopted, co-opted and are in the process of changing.

These articles by Matt Newsome might be interesting to dispel some common misconceptions about the kilt, it's history and tartan.

http://www.albanach.org/kilt.html

[Arlen]

While I am a Scotsman and I wear the Kilt every day, I agree with the rest of the answers on here. Most people in Scotland still haven't got over the idea that you can ONLY wear the Kilt on special or sporting occasions.
It's sad, but true.
There are people like the other Scottish board members and myself who wear it more regularly, but we are in the few rather than the many.

That said, I just moved to Idaho and I have far fewer comments on my Kilt-wearing here than I ever did in Scotland.

[Tetley]

The daughter of my landlord words in a prestigious hotel in Scotland and her comment just this last week was that she sees kilt every day. I didn't ascertain from her whether that was the staff, the guests or the locals wearing the kilt, but where she is, kilt wearing is an everyday occurrence.