Why you don't see Scots wearing their kilts often

[Jordan]

I agree with Jock most people only want to wear a kilt for a special occasion, it doesn't matter what you say that's how they feel and that's fine. Personally i would like to see more kilts more often the issue cant be forced It just has to happen in it's own good time.

Just my tuppence however,
Jordan

[GG]

Paulhenry,

I like what you say on the start page of your website:

"Once upon a time the wearing of kilts was seen as almost exclusively as Scottish, those days have passed, and now kilt wearers are found all over the world from lots of nationalities.

Today anyone can wear a kilt , in almost any pattern or tartan, there are virtually no restrictions, although many still choose a clan based tartan. There are thousands of tartans to choose from, hundreds of tweeds and probably millions of other fabrics which would make wonderful kilts."

[Jock Scot]

Actually GG, I can agree with most of of what Paul has written-----please note every one-----we agree!

Personally I really wish that the kilt remained exclusively Highland Scots, but doing the "King Canute" bit is a fruitless exercise!

However what Paul has said has nothing to do with the question that the OP, on this thread, asked.

[robbiethepiper]

I agree with Jock most people only want to wear a kilt for a special occasion, it doesn't matter what you say that's how they feel and that's fine. Personally i would like to see more kilts more often the issue cant be forced It just has to happen in it's own good time.

Just my tuppence however,
Jordan

For sure it can't be forced, but people can be significantly encouraged. All we have to do is wear OUR kilts more often. Most people are inherently conservative in their dress. The more frequently kilts are seen, the more people will feel they can wear one without looking foolish...

[Jock Scot]

For sure it can't be forced, but people can be significantly encouraged. All we have to do is wear OUR kilts more often. Most people are inherently conservative in their dress. The more frequently kilts are seen, the more people will feel they can wear one without looking foolish...

Encouraged is good, but as the saying goes:-

"You can lead a horse to water , but you can't make it drink!"

[Danaidh]

I am enjoying this conversation. No one here is speaking on behalf of their entire nation. The question was put out there, so it's natural to hear from the Scots and I, for one, am interested in what they have to say. I think here in America, the popularity of the kilt is growing, so we (I) want to wear it all the time. It makes total sense that the national outfit would be worn when appropriate; I think it shows respect to the occasion.
Just my thoughts as a mud-blood (Dane, Swede, English, & American Indian).

[Jordan]

For sure it can't be forced, but people can be significantly encouraged. All we have to do is wear OUR kilts more often. Most people are inherently conservative in their dress. The more frequently kilts are seen, the more people will feel they can wear one without looking foolish...

You are right but in the example i was thinking of (my local pub landlord) he has a few kilts but I think has only worn them once each, keeps saying he wants to but then doesn't because theyres not an occasion for it.

I think the main issue with most people is that They need an occasion to wear a kilt, weather that's a football/rugby game or a wedding most people can't just wake up and think "I'll put on my kilt today!" and i can't see that changing much any time soon unfortunately.

Jordan

[Jock Scot]

You are right but in the example i was thinking of (my local pub landlord) he has a few kilts but I think has only worn them once each, keeps saying he wants to but then doesn't because theyres not an occasion for it.

I think the main issue with most people is that They need an occasion to wear a kilt, weather that's a football/rugby game or a wedding most people can't just wake up and think "I'll put on my kilt today!" and i can't see that changing much any time soon unfortunately.

Jordan

Strangely enough I have stopped wearing the kilt "for no reason at all" which would mean about 2/3 times a week for the simple reason that I am sick sorry and tired of having my picture taken by swarms of tourists!I feel like some rare bird that is some 5 thousand miles off course! There was a time when I did not mind in the least, but somehow the whole thing has got rather tiresome.

[Brian K]

I've been watching this thread for some time, and been fascinated about some of the comments, and the almost jingoist comments , which I feel despite protestations that he speaks for the whole country,he does not represent the nation. In many ways I can't help but feel that he shows himself as rather a poor ambassador for a great nation.
Instead of wishing to spread kilt wearing, he seems only too keen on restricting it to a very small number. That is such a shame, and I suggest while a valid viewpoint,it is hardly a supportive one in this,our community of kiltwearers.

Paul,

In my time hear on the forum I have enjoyed your posts and have appreciated the knowledge you have shared, but I must respectfully disagree with you here.

I think you have totally misinterpreted the intentions of The Gentleman in Question. I have just re-read all of his posts thus far, particularly his ongoing colloquy with Greg and the only time he appears to have "taken a tone," as they say, was when it seemed that a non-Scot might be presuming to tell Scots the attitude they should have towards kilt wearing. That would indeed seem to be a presumption and ifIi were a native born Scot it might get my dander up. Even then he seems to have assumed that it might have been he who had communicated poorly enough to have mislead Greg and he tried to more carefully to elucidate his position.

There is no doubt that The Gentleman in Question is opinionated. He has strong and clear feelings about how one should properly wear Highland dress - and there is nothing wrong with that. In all his posts regarding kilted dress he has been a staunch advocate of a particular style of Highland dress and everyone knows what that is. He has, however, been continually descriptive rather than prescriptive. Does it bother him that there are may who do not treat the kilt with what he feels is proper respect? Certainly! What he does not say, even here, is that people should never wear the kilt in any way not approved by the relevant committee of Auld Crabbits. Indeed, it seems as though he would welcome more people wearing the kilt more frequently (the topic of the thread, after all) but he does object to someone seeming to say that Scots should wear it more often or suggesting how and why it should be done or encouraged. He simply says that Scots have their way of doing things and while they might change it is for Scots to make that desicsion.

More than once have I seen this particular Auld Crabbit say something along the lines of "You can wear the kilt anyway that makes you happy, but that's not how I would do it." That, my friend, seems to be his recurring theme.

Regards,

Brian

[Jordan]

Strangely enough I have stopped wearing the kilt "for no reason at all" which would mean about 2/3 times a week for the simple reason that I am sick sorry and tired of having my picture taken by swarms of tourists!I feel like some rare bird that is some 5 thousand miles off course! There was a time when I did not mind in the least, but somehow the whole thing has got rather tiresome.

Living in the back of beyond or Huntly as it's better known I dont have this problem. The only time I've been stopped for my photo was when I was down in Edinburgh and two nice oriental lady's stopped as I was crossing the road for a photo.

Jordan