So I wore a kilt to my wife's Christmas party

[artificer]

We're easy targets because we're white, not to put too fine a point on it. What if the DJ were to make fun of a black man in a dashiki- monkey in a dress? I can gaurantee he would be fired before his broadcast was over. And yet... it's perfectly OK to do it to us. I'm not at all sure I understand how that works...

Sorry to disagree, Nighthawk, but I think you've missed a key point. Most presumably the DJ was white himself- so it's more of a "poking fun at your own group" situation. IF a black DJ were making fun of a dashiki clad guy and calling it a dress, he'd be given a pass too.

I think, to a certain degree, we have to all relax a bit and realize that our choice of garment IS going to draw attention. We all bask in the warm glow of compliments (especially from women) and seethe in fury at slights and insults...

The kilt IS uncommon in most areas of the world (even Scotland, unless you're a tourist ) You can't expect to 'walk your own path' without comment, from those who do AND don't like it.

Is the world becoming a less "gentlemanly" place... Yup. Are talk radio (and TV) loudmouths part of the problem... probably. Are we going to change the opinion of every idiot who shouts "Nice skirt!"... no chance.

While we don't have to tolerate actual abuse, we SHOULD expect a certain amount of negative feedback, just as we appreciate the positive.
ith:

[auld argonian]

Frankly, I run into a lot of fellas in the odd bit of ethnic dress hereabouts...African, Middle Eastern, Asian...and I think it's great...face it: we have a certain kind of kinship with them...we're wearing OUR clothes and we're not the norm.

The loudmouths (in the media or elsewhere) just keep it up because it gets them attention. A lot of social and political movements haven't really been worth the bother but the media sees them as "good copy" (translation: good ratings) and gives them more air time than they're really worth. We've had several commentators here in the Chicago press that who probably felt that if twenty-five people a day didn't come up to them on the street and call them a S.O.B. to their face then they weren't doing their job (translation: good ratings).

Best way to deal with a child who's constantly demanding attention? Don't give it to them. Best way to deal with the "nice skirt!" crowd...I guess it'd be the same...

Best

AA

[Nighthawk]

Sorry to disagree, Nighthawk, but I think you've missed a key point. Most presumably the DJ was white himself- so it's more of a "poking fun at your own group" situation. IF a black DJ were making fun of a dashiki clad guy and calling it a dress, he'd be given a pass too.

ith:

I'm not missing the point at all. I can;t tell you how many times I've been told that African clothing is OK for black men because it's ethnic clothing, but the kilt is not OK because it's a costume! What's the difference? I do understand that when you stand out, you'll get negative attention, and I'm OK with it. I don't seethe with anger at it. I do, however, get irritated at the double standard. It's perfectly OK for that Mexican gentleman to wear his hat and pointed boots, while his kid rags on me for wearing my kilt! (The Mexican gentleman in this case smacked his kid in the head, by the way, which is why I say "gentleman.") No one makes fun of them for it, do they? I can't see why their clothing is ethnic, but mine is costume. That what gets me.

[artificer]

I'm not missing the point at all. I can;t tell you how many times I've been told that African clothing is OK for black men because it's ethnic clothing, but the kilt is not OK because it's a costume! What's the difference?

There are a number of reasons which I WON'T get into, as it would contravene a bunch of forum rules.

I will say that I believe we (as kilt wearers) bring a fair measure of grief upon ourselves with all the silly "I'm NOT wearing underpants " type t-shirts.

It's pretty hard to take anyone too seriously when they're wearing similar. I'd say it's not a HUGE hop from that to...




And, yes, if someone is wearing a dashiki with a hat that hints at similar 'pantslessness' I'd tell them the same thing

[Mike_Oettle]

Alan H wrote: “I was in a cranky mood. Someone . . . one of the painters in the store, whistled at me.”

Another non-kilt-related story: the day I graduated (aged 40, having spent some years at correspondence school while also working, raising two kids and paying off a mortgage) I was walking to my car carrying my suit jacket, (borrowed) graduate gown and (rented) academic hood, shortly before leaving for the ceremony, when a neighbour spotted me and let out a wolf-whistle.
Taking it from whence it came, I just responded with a big, broad grin.
I was, after all about to wear a “dress”, and he knew perfectly well what it signified – not only that it was an occasion for congratulations, but also that I had worked long and hard for it.
It is possible to over-react to the responses one might arouse.
Regards,
Mike

[Whidbey78]

We're easy targets because we're white, not to put too fine a point on it. What if the DJ were to make fun of a black man in a dashiki- monkey in a dress? I can gaurantee he would be fired before his broadcast was over. And yet... it's perfectly OK to do it to us. I'm not at all sure I understand how that works...

I'm not missing the point at all. I can;t tell you how many times I've been told that African clothing is OK for black men because it's ethnic clothing, but the kilt is not OK because it's a costume! What's the difference? I do understand that when you stand out, you'll get negative attention, and I'm OK with it. I don't seethe with anger at it. I do, however, get irritated at the double standard. It's perfectly OK for that Mexican gentleman to wear his hat and pointed boots, while his kid rags on me for wearing my kilt! (The Mexican gentleman in this case smacked his kid in the head, by the way, which is why I say "gentleman.") No one makes fun of them for it, do they? I can't see why their clothing is ethnic, but mine is costume. That what gets me.

I've encountered this double standard, and mentioned it in another thread, where I wasn't allowed in a restaraunt kilted because they thought it was a violation of their dress code. The rules were posted right behind the host and it said [U]shorts and jeans, t-shirts, sandals and hats[/U] were not allowed. It was my wedding day, so I was dressed up, not my usual boots and t-shirt. While talking to the host a hostess came to seat a party including a man in a turban and sandals. I pointed out that they just admitted a guy wearing a hat and sandals and that was against their dress code. I was told that it was an exception because it is "ethnic clothing." I basically had to threaten a discrimination suit to keep our reservations! And the guy I was dealing with had green eyes and red hair and freckles (not just white, but nearly translucent)...so it wasn't because I'm Caucasian, but because there really is a double standard when it comes to "ethnic clothing."

[MacBean]

Late to the party, borrowing from another thread of humor...

"I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong!"

[McConnell Mor]

There are a number of reasons which I WON'T get into, as it would contravene a bunch of forum rules.

I will say that I believe we (as kilt wearers) bring a fair measure of grief upon ourselves with all the silly "I'm NOT wearing underpants " type t-shirts.

It's pretty hard to take anyone too seriously when they're wearing similar. I'd say it's not a HUGE hop from that to...




And, yes, if someone is wearing a dashiki with a hat that hints at similar 'pantslessness' I'd tell them the same thing

I like the first pic....I think thats my uncle Dale?!?!?

[yojackus]

I'm planning on wearing an urban kilt (Utilikilt Survival Basil) to our company Christmas party next week. I'm a physical therapist working in home health and the nurses and other staff know that I will be showing up at the due wearing the kilt, textured black kilt hose and a navy blue shirt.

Wore the kilt to my boss' Thanksgiving dinner and she told everyone about it, adding that I looked good in it and have "nice legs". Several of our nurses are waiting to see...

The party involves other branches of the company and who knows, I might get a comment or two to the negative.

My answer would be: "It's a kilt! Do you like it?"

I will be visiting with my co-workers who will appreciate my choice of fashion and the par tay will be fun!

Bottom line to make it work is a true confidence that I look good! I have a guaranteed audience of appreciative nurses to hang with- yeesh! Is that so bad for a single guy?

[artificer]

Bottom line to make it work is a true confidence that I look good! I have a guaranteed audience of appreciative nurses to hang with- yeesh! Is that so bad for a single guy?

Some might call that the ideal setting, my friend. Happy Holidays!