Is a kilt outfit a luxury item?

**CMcG** · 2nd March 10, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy

<snip> I strongly believe that there is a time to be kilted and not kilted.

Originally Posted by Phil

Definately. And I do agree there is a time and place to be kilted.

While I know that a few members of XMTS are kilted full time, I prefer to kilt up for special occasions. I hadn't ever really thought of it in the negative sense of choosing not to wear a kilt for something.

So, I'm interested to know which times and places people believe one should not be kilted and why?

**davidlpope** · 2nd March 10, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

So, I'm interested to know which times and places people believe one should not be kilted and why?

Don't wear a kilt anytime that the focus of the event attended is directed away from its true purpose and onto you because of your kilt.

For example, weddings should be about the couple being married, funerals should be about the deceased and the family in mourning. If wearing your kilt will give offense or make the event "about you" then I'd refrain.

These are the types of questions I ask myself when deciding whether or not to wear a kilt: "Is anyone else/ everyone else going to be wearing highland attire at this event?", "Is there a logical nexus between this event and Scotland?", "Did the host of the event request/encourage me to wear highland attire?", "Do I daily wear the kilt as an article of clothing, anyway?"

Cordially,

David

**Jock Scot** · 2nd March 10, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

While I know that a few members of XMTS are kilted full time, I prefer to kilt up for special occasions. I hadn't ever really thought of it in the negative sense of choosing not to wear a kilt for something.

So, I'm interested to know which times and places people believe one should not be kilted and why?

If there is even a hint of "showing off", then don't wear the kilt.

**auld argonian** · 2nd March 10, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If there is even a hint of "showing off", then don't wear the kilt.

From my experience, I have always encountered people who assume that you are showing off when you show up in a kilt...that you are trying to draw attention to yourself. I'll wear it because I consider it some of my "best" and feel that I'm honoring the "party in whose honor the entertainment is being given" (thanks to Mark Twain for that wonderful phrase) but I will ALWAYS end up confronted by some nitwit that is insisting that I'm trying to upstage the focus of the event and that I am some kind of insecure middle-aged man who's trying to get attention. I'm usually very polite and try to explain but you know how it goes when you're speaking to someone who has it all figured out and has the world all wrapped up in a neat little package. Fortunately, I have an extensive vocabulary as far as profanity and invective are concerned, so my next response is usually an impolite suggestion as to what the know-it-all can do with themselves. It's usually about his time that my wife suggests that we continue our mingling and go over and talk to those nice people over there.

Best

AA

**davidlpope** · 2nd March 10, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

I'll wear it because I consider it some of my "best" and feel that I'm honoring the "party in whose honor the entertainment is being given"...

Do you know if the "party in whose honor the entertainment is being given" actually does feel honored by the fact you're wearing a kilt?

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Fortunately, I have an extensive vocabulary as far as profanity and invective are concerned, so my next response is usually an impolite suggestion as to what the know-it-all can do with themselves.

Does this behavior result in many repeat invitations?...

Cordially,

David

**Lallans** · 2nd March 10, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I'm not sure which Highland Games you are going to, or where in our great country you live, however your experience is certainly different from mine. Of course I am active in the Scottish community in my area, and so I do see kilts at Scottish Country Dancing, Highland Games, Boat Cruises, etc. my first kilt was one that my dad gave me, it was his from Scotland and was sewn up in 1950, since then I've bought others, it never surprised me how affordable they really were, it was simply the way it is. I also take exception with your calling Canada "Canuckistan", please keep comments like that to yourself, and show some dignity. If you have a legitimate reason for doing it please explain it, if not then just stop it.

My kilted Games experiences are based on attending the same all over Ontario and occasionally in the USA. In the US many attendees are kilted without a particular reason and that does not match my Canadian observations. When I use the term "Canuckistan" on this site and elsewhere, it is a wry reference to what I see as this country's tendency to impoverish or foolishly limit itself in other ways due to an extreme tendency towards liberalism and/or socialism. And as a free citizen of Canada I will reserve and continue that as my privilege, sorry though if it gives offense (which apology of course shows my Canadian credentials).

[Edit Addition]: moved to a new thread.

**auld argonian** · 2nd March 10, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Do you know if the "party in whose honor the entertainment is being given" actually does feel honored by the fact you're wearing a kilt?

Does this behavior result in many repeat invitations?...

Cordially,

David

Well, David, So far as your first question is concerned, I haven't had anybody who was hosting any of the events that I have attended kilted express any opinion on my kilted-ness at all...maybe a polite, "...and is that your family tartan?", here and there but no real praise or criticism yet.

And as far as our second question is concerned, I'm a charming, intelligent and attractive man who's presence is considered an asset to any social gathering that I might attend. When I have encountered any rudeness from someone at an event, it has never been from anyone who is in a position to decide whether or not I will be asked back. It is usually from some wanna-be that thinks that they're being clever, catty or bitchy. Most of the people who know me know that I passed the point where I suffer fools gladly a while back and they know that I don't fire unless fired upon.

Best

AA

**davidlpope** · 2nd March 10, 09:38 AM

Thanks for your honest reply. I appreciate it.

Cordially,

David

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Well, David, So far as your first question is concerned, I haven't had anybody who was hosting any of the events that I have attended kilted express any opinion on my kilted-ness at all...maybe a polite, "...and is that your family tartan?", here and there but no real praise or criticism yet.

And as far as our second question is concerned, I'm a charming, intelligent and attractive man who's presence is considered an asset to any social gathering that I might attend. When I have encountered any rudeness from someone at an event, it has never been from anyone who is in a position to decide whether or not I will be asked back. It is usually from some wanna-be that thinks that they're being clever, catty or bitchy. Most of the people who know me know that I passed the point where I suffer fools gladly a while back and they know that I don't fire unless fired upon.

Best

AA