the kilt is special

**CDNSushi** · 4th July 10, 06:23 PM

For me, the kilt is merely another choice. I love my tartan kilts as much as I love my Utilikilt. For that matter, I also love my p@nts, blue jeans, golf slacks, jogging suit, shorts, sarongs, and dhoti, all of which have a place in my closet and in what I choose to wear.

Life without variety would be a bit dull, and my wardrobe reflects that feeling. If I ever have money again, someday (maybe by the year 2020), I would love to get a second modern kilt. I really like my UK original in tan, but I would also like to get a black one (although I doubt it will be another UK -- there are so many other awesome modern kiltmakers out there). Anyway, I digress.

Whatever rattles yer chain, mate. If you want to preserve kilt-wearing for special occasions, that's up to you... For me, I prefer to lounge around the house and often tool around town in one of my non-kilt UBGs. (The comfort and warmth/coolness level of a Sri Lankan sarong is almost perfect for Japanese summer evenings). By contrast, I probably will not relax in my living room in a kilt for the simple reason that I always end up getting it all crunched and I beat the heck out of my pleats.

**Whidbey78** · 4th July 10, 11:48 PM

I have a few traditional kilts that are for everyday wear, a few moderns of my own making that work for varied purposes, and one nice traditional that only comes out for special occasions. The cost and quality of the kilt dictates it's use in my case. But there are times where I wouldn't wear a kilt, or even shorts for that matter...running a Weed-Eater comes to mind right off as the scabs on my shins are itching badly right now. Lesson learned.

If I could go kilted all the time, or at least the times where lower-leg protection isn't needed or I'm doing something where a kilt is impractical, I would.

**CMcG** · 5th July 10, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Absolutely. It was a change in the way I perceive the kilt, I suppose, but also myself. That's my two cents of psycho babble.

Could you elaborate? I think I recall reading somewhere here that you don't wear trad kilts too much anymore?

**CMcG** · 5th July 10, 07:36 AM

If I may be suffered to divulge my opinion further, I'd like to elaborate on my position.

I do wear the kilt almost everyday at home and don't worry about crushing the pleats because no-one is going to see them. I find, however, that the kilt is impractical for being out and about. I often either ride my bike or the subway and find it to be a hassle concerning myself with modesty in such windy situations. I also usually have a lot of stuff in my pockets and don't feel like carrying a giant sporran. "So get a UK with lots of pockets and a modesty closure" you say?

This brings me to social considerations. The kilt draws attention and, while mostly positive, I don't feel like attracting peoples' looks and comments when I'm just going about my business. As Tobus remarked, sometimes the kilt is not so accepted or understood and I don't feel like explaining. When I'm working as a teaching assistant at the university where I'm a grad student, there is no dress code. I still don't want to wear the kilt because I'd prefer my easily distracted students to focus on what I'm saying and not what I'm wearing.

It is possible that if I were in a different time and place I'd think differently. Say if I were working in a blacksmith shop like Howard Clark, I'd want the ventilation. Or if I already stood out in crowd just for my ethnicity, like CDNSushi in Japan. Or if I were rich, had a kilt for everyday of the week, and a chauffeur to transport me around without giving everyone a free show!

As far as keeping the kilt special, I can see how reserving the tank for events and wearing a casual beater or modern kilt for everyday could work. Or dressing a tank up or down for different situations. My point here isn't as much about frequency (I already wear the kilt daily at home) but about communication. When I wear my kilt in public, I am signifying that it is an extra special occasion because it is not my usual attire.

This comes back to social issues because I understand that clothes express something to the people around us. As an example, people who don't care what others think might choose to express their rugged individuality by wearing clothes that raise the eyebrows of other people. That's great! I love to see people being different, especially if they are wearing a kilt. I am choosing to express the importance of certain occasions by wearing my kilt at those times and not at others.

This is all IMHO and I'm not trying to convince anyone to see it my way. Just documenting my musings on where the kilt fits in my wardrobe. It is interesting to see what other people are saying on the subject too... I'm a little surprised to see how many suggest that they would wear the kilt daily but that they don't. Is that just a financial consideration, which will be resolved as the kilt wardrobe grows? Or other issues?

**MassiveMorrison** · 5th July 10, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I'm a little surprised to see how many suggest that they would wear the kilt daily but that they don't. Is that just a financial consideration, which will be resolved as the kilt wardrobe grows? Or other issues?

Financial decision, partially.

I wouldn't wear a kilt to a clients worksite, any more than I would wear a sarong. The workplace I'm in pretty much dictates slacks, physically.

So in my downtime, I would wear the kilt more often if I simply had more of them. Right now I have one and am making a second (that will take a while). So I would wear it every day, but don't. My wife demands the one I have be washed if I have it on for longer than 2 days, but it's a workman, and I'm working, so I have an excuse for another one soon.

**Mike_Oettle** · 5th July 10, 10:41 AM

A question, CMcG: If you wore a kilt every day, surely it would not distract your students?
Just a thought.
Regards,
Mike

**CMcG** · 5th July 10, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

A question, CMcG: If you wore a kilt every day, surely it would not distract your students?
Just a thought.
Regards,
Mike

True enough. But first they would have to get used to it, I'd still have to deal with the inconveniences of maintaining my modesty on the public transit that we all ride together, I'd want a more traditional look for teaching (lack of pockets), and, most of all, working in a kilt would definitely take away from the specialness factor.

That being said, I could see myself someday as an older, tenured professor wearing tweed jackets and a kilt. Maybe.

**Jaggy thistle** · 6th July 10, 12:15 PM

Ihave always worn a kilt when ever possible the nature of my work made the kilt impractical but since I retired I wear the kilt daily I have cheap and nasty tartan kilts for working about the yard and several 8 yd kilts and yes I do ride a bike wearing kilt !! the most comfortable thing a man can wear!!

**piperdbh** · 6th July 10, 01:15 PM

I'm with CMcG on this one. My kilts are for special occasions, like tomorrow when I go hiking with Mael Coluim.

**jForrester** · 6th July 10, 01:38 PM

A recent experience on wearing the kilt. I received a call asking that I officiate at a wedding which date happened to fall on the day of our local Scottish Games. Since it was to be a late Saturday afternoon wedding, I said I would be glad to do so, but coming directly from the Games, I will be in the kilt. The bride-to-be exclaimed "That would be wonderful!". And so it was. The outdoor service was very nice, with the wedding party in formal attire, and the chaplain in kilt and jacket. (I would include a photo, but I "may not post attachments".) A very special occasion.