A thesis of sorts

[ForresterModern]

Some of the same, some of the different.

Scottish Highland military units were "regimental" for centuries so the tradition at least in the military was long established. I can only assume that that tradition followed the preponderant civilian tradition at the time, so regimental is likely the old standard for kilts, although I am sure through the years, especially during certain seasons, undergarments were probably worn by at least a portion of the kilt wearing populace.

I am old enough to remember the "bra-burning" period of american history at least, and that actually had little to do with the desire to go bra-less (most women in the 4 decades since that era have still worn bras most if not all the time) but rather the desire to express their "right" as women to choose. Prior to that time, even in America, we were a predominently male oriented and male run society, and what men said went. Bra-burning was part of women's liberation---literally the symbol of that liberation, liberation form the physical constraints of the bra as well as the social constraints of not being able to show off their breasts or nipples even under clothing. But that liberation ran deeper in society and changed a lot more----women in law schools, medical schools, top flight business positions instead of court room stenographers and nurses and secretaries fetching coffee for the good ole boys network. So even though bra-burning was directly about literally taking off the bra and going loose and free, its real meaning as much more far-reaching than just the breast.

Men in kilts is a liberation of its own no matter what you wear or don't wear underneath, similar but to a much smaller scale than the bra-burning of the late 60's. It just happens that kilt wearing also had a history of being predominantly regimental even before kilt wearing became a fashion statement as much as a piece of clothing with an original purpose.

[Spartan]

Some of the same, some of the different.

I am old enough to remember the "bra-burning" period of american history at least, and that actually had little to do with the desire to go bra-less (most women in the 4 decades since that era have still worn bras most if not all the time) but rather the desire to express their "right" as women to choose. Prior to that time, even in America, we were a predominently male oriented and male run society, and what men said went. Bra-burning was part of women's liberation---literally the symbol of that liberation, liberation form the physical constraints of the bra as well as the social constraints of not being able to show off their breasts or nipples even under clothing. But that liberation ran deeper in society and changed a lot more----women in law schools, medical schools, top flight business positions instead of court room stenographers and nurses and secretaries fetching coffee for the good ole boys network. So even though bra-burning was directly about literally taking off the bra and going loose and free, its real meaning as much more far-reaching than just the breast.

Men in kilts is a liberation of its own no matter what you wear or don't wear underneath, similar but to a much smaller scale than the bra-burning of the late 60's. It just happens that kilt wearing also had a history of being predominantly regimental even before kilt wearing became a fashion statement as much as a piece of clothing with an original purpose.

IMO, this summarizes the issue very well. I too am old enough to remember.

[Geoff Withnell]

Some of the same, some of the different.

...But that liberation ran deeper in society and changed a lot more----women in law schools, medical schools, top flight business positions instead of court room stenographers and nurses and secretaries fetching coffee for the good ole boys network....

Minor off topic rant - Nurses are NOT a doctor's lackey or servant, but licensed professional in a DIFFERENT profession, with different requirements, and often as well educated as the doctors they work with. Grouping nurses with other largely female dominated jobs is part of the problem that the liberation should have been changing.

Sorry, I am married to an RN, and her education is equal to mine, she supervises a larger team of licensed professionals, has HUGE responsibililies, making literal life and death decisions day in and day out - and makes about 2/3s of what I do. And gets asked why she didn't become a doctor. Because she wanted to do NURSING, not DOCTORING.

Here endth the rant.

Geoff Withnell