Wearing a plain kilt

**GMan** · 3rd January 06, 10:21 AM

My plain black kilt does well for business attire, as it looks real well with a tie. Someone once said that wearing a plain kilt is equal to wearing slacks.

**mddock58** · 3rd January 06, 10:37 AM

My only kilt (at this time) is a black AK. I like the plain casual kilts, and plan to make a few more for myself.

Eventually I want a tank, but will settle for a SW, or USAK for my first Tartan - I need to decide which tartan I want for a tank. I'd like to honor my ancestry with my tank. But that will be a while to save for.

I see nothing wrong with "Plain" kilts, and there is room for them in every closet, worn with pride.

**JayFilomena** · 3rd January 06, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Robin

I'm not certain about plain kilts though (traditional or contemporary)...a sporran, kiltpin and maybe diced or tartan hoses might help, but I'm just afraid (chicken

) people will not recognise it as a kilt.

The term used to describe the moment following an attack, is Startle. Startle is the amount of time it takes someone to go from calm, to scared, to being able to evaluate what just happened, and react approprietly. Most martial artist say Startle lasts about 2 seconds. How does this relate to kilt wearing...? I only own "plain Kilts" and I have found (yes, I know everyone is different) that I must wear a more..masculine shirt with them. I just dont like the way my utilikilt or Pittsburgh kilt looks with a sweater and high calf socks. I prefer long sleeved button ups. T-shirts also concern me. The whole kiss me i'm scottish thing doesnt work for me, I prefer plain, solid colored t-shirts, and boots. Do people still ask me if it is a skirt? Yes. But unless you are wearing patent leather shoes with buckles, or lipstick (on your lips) the startle effect should be quite less. The more flamboyant the outfit, the greater time it takes someone to take in what they just saw, and the greater their reaction will be. Simple outfit, simple stares. Again, that works for me....I have come to appreciate and value all the stories and recommendations from my friends here at xmarks.

**Riverkilt** · 3rd January 06, 11:36 AM

Hey Robin,

Had another thought. I mostly wear plain kilts, just because its so dirty and dusty and sandy out here in the canyonlands.

When I do wear a tartan kilt the feeling I have is that the tartan is more skirt-like...since it reminds me of the old Catholic school girl's skirts...but that's just me...who knows who else thinks that?

So, point is, no matter what you do someone, maybe even you, will think what you're wearing is more skirt-like.

Ron

**Hamish** · 3rd January 06, 12:31 PM

Hey Robin,

I wear plain kilts much more frequently than I wear tartan ones (of my 58 kilts only 14 are of tartan!) and the problems with other people thinking of them as skirts are no greater than when I am 'tartaned'! Oh, I forgot about the one female neighbour who insists on calling ALL my kilts 'skirts' - she does it simply to wind me up in a joking way and without malice, so I no longer try to correct her. Water off a duck's back really.

During the past two or three years I have also worn plain kilts in France and Belgium where they have been accepted as Scottish kilts (which some of them are!)

By the way, please don't try to make American, Canadian or any other plain alternative or contemporary kilt (especially those with pockets)look 'Scottish' by wearing kilt pins, sporrans, tartan hose, etc. with them. If anyone questions the kilt you are wearing just tell them it is an American or a Canadian kilt or whatever. Be honest about it. The enquirer will be fascinated to learn that fine kilts are made in such places - and such practical kilts too! It never fails for me.

**mddock58** · 3rd January 06, 01:06 PM

As the Bard speaks...............

Pride and confidence in whatever you are wearing shows, and is only mistaken by those that choose to mis-take it!

Thanks Ham!

**Robin** · 3rd January 06, 04:33 PM

Thank you all!

As soon as I get my salary I'll order a Freedom Kilt!

....did I already tell my wife about the Isle of Skye I ordered?

**michael steinrok** · 3rd January 06, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by herminator

I have no traditional tartan kilt, one is green, the others are black or a very dark green-black plaid. No-one exept utter idiots mistakes it for a skirt! Even when I wear them without belt or sporran they are recognised as kilts! And here in Wuppertal people are not naturally equipped to encounter such clothing!

Just go ahead, the problem is only in your head - stand straight, wear it proudly!

EASY BIG FELLA, IF WE EDUCATE THE UNIFORMED WITH GRACE AND DIGNITY YOU'LL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS PROMOTING THE KILT.REGARDLESS OF HOW BADLY YOU AND I WOULD LIKE TO CLOBBER THE INGRATE. HONEY RATHER THAN VINEGAR WILLCARRY THE DAY :-)
SLAINTE

**Robin** · 3rd January 06, 05:15 PM

Caps Lock?

:mrgreen:

**Rick** · 3rd January 06, 08:14 PM

I commissioned Matt Newsome to make a 4 yard box pleated kilt form House of Edgar's black Dark Island tartan. It is also available in blue. The tartan shows up as a damask. This kilt looks great with a black Argyll jacket and it solves the problem of trying to match black. It also looks great as a casual kilt. So with this, you could have almost a solid colour, but at the same time have a tartan.

Rick