Poking fun at men in kilts.

[Iolaus]

To get angry because the kilt by custom is worn a certain way as far as I am concerned and I would suppose any other dedicated kilter would feel is like being angry that the sun doesn't rise in the same part of the sky every morning and it disturbs them for whatever reason might exist.

Customize your car or your room or whatever belongs to you but leave what belongs to history alone. It doesn't belong to you to change. If you want to wear a Kilted Skirt then wear one, they're much cheaper than a traditional tank anyway.

This is just a variation of an old arguement between traditionalists and modernists; one that has been argued many times on this board and doesn't really need to be rehashed.

Your statement

"Slowly but surely even X-Marks is changing. It seems that many on this site wanted to wear the kilt for one reason or another whether it was pride in their heritage or just to be different and get away from the day to day commonly accepted tradition of wearing pants only for men.

identifies the problem, and it existed when you got here; the people who want "just to be different" have no strong tie to tradition, so the "rules" have never meant a great deal to them. To complain about them now fails to recognise that they were here before you wre.

Ever see this before?



That was the premise upon which this site was founded. To imply that custom is set in stone just relegates the kilt back to costume status.

[longshadows]

To add my two cents, I think just about everyone here has made good points. Due to the diversity and civility of this site, we have been able to work with various types of "kilt" wearers.

The good natured joking about kilt mis-wearing was primarily directed at people who were attempting to wear more or less traditional kilts, but in a non-traditional way. I don't recall anyone poking fun at someone in a UK that was too long or did or didn't have a sporran.

Most members of this forum respect the rights of all to wear their kilts as they will. Due to the respect that most hold for this beautiful garment that seen a lot of history, we would hope that a sense of pride surrounding the traditional kilt style will continue.

Now, more than ever, we have choices in kilt wear. If we want the causual, funky, grunge look in a kilted vestment, there's plenty to choose from. If we decide that the traditional cut tartan is our choice, then let's do our best to keep a certain sense of dignity and pride for this style. If we don't share in keeping the tradition, then our sons and grandsons will have only old books and museums to fall back on to know what the kilt really looked.

It may sound petty, but that's part of the responsibility of growing up and passing along a heritage to those who follow you. It's a responsibility; not a right.

[way2fractious]

...self deprecating at times but warm at its core...keeps the group together in a way: poke a bit of fun at ourselves among ourselves before the rest of the world at large does.

Hear, hear! The world at large does - and will continue to - poke fun at us poor kilt-wearers. So let's poke fun at ourselves first, so we can get over the shock.

[A Hay]

One of the things I'm finding about wearing the kilt is that it can be dressed up or down, depending on the situation. Personally, I like the traditional, more formal look. When I wear the Argyll jacket with or without the waistcoat and a tie, I find I stand straighter and feel more self-assured. Perhaps this comes from being in and around the military uniform for many years. I like to hear the beat of the tassles on the sporran like a drum when I walk. It starts a bagpipe march in my head and my feet fall into time with the music.

I can also fully understand some may want to be more contemporary or casual. And in some situations, that is appropriate too. I wouldn't feel right wearing full dress to a backyard barbeque and I would think it odd (but would not comment on it) if someone wore a denim kilt to a wedding party where most everyone else wore semi-formal. To some extent it is a matter of being respectful of others. The custom is one shouldn't outshine the Bride or Groom, because it is their special day, not ours.

Having said that for formality and tradition, I think that diversity brings spice to life. I like seeing ideas that others have come up with on how to wear the kilt and accessorize it. I think this can be done respectfully while still allowing for individuality.

If this sounds like "situational ethics" or "anything goes" I guess that is what I mean, with the caveat that if I grant you your right to wear what you want, grant me the right to wear what I want, with mutual respect and courtesy.

IMHO the biblical Golden Rule is a good daily operating philosophy, unless one is a sadist.

I want to thank all the members of X marks the spot for their helpful commentary, advice and humor. I'm still learning and enjoying wearing the kilt.
Let's keep it clean, fun, and civil.

[bubba]

Personally, I think guys should wear their kilts however they choose as long as it doesn't make other peoples eyes bleed.

[GlassMan]

Okay, now my two cents worth. I think those guys who want to wear their kilts however they please should do so. That's their style. Most likely it will be a contemporary style kilt anyway and that doesn't even fall inside the realm of the old rules.

And if someone is wearing a traditional high waisted kilt, but in a completely non-traditional way (say with a tank top and flip flops) and that was the intended look, then that's fine with me too. That's their look. However, if they simply didn't know any better, I don't see what the harm is in letting them know of the traditional ways. Then it's up to that person how they wish to wear it. But at least they'll be making an informed decision.

And if someone is obviously trying hard to look traditional and has simply put the ensemble together incorrectly I think that it's a good thing to point out the errors in a helpful manner (the way Hamish always manages).

Neither those who wish to wear their kilts in a non-traditional manner nor those of use who do still dress as traditionally as possible (myself included) have a monopoly on what is right and what is wrong. And neither should dictate what the other should wear.

I'm often told that I dress to formally for this day and age, and that was even before I wore a kilt for the first time. I never did like wearing jeans or tennis shoes. But that's just me. I feel more comfortable in dress clothes. I even feel more comfortable wearing a tie! But that's me. In this day and age, caring about your appearance seems to be the non-conformist attitude. I don't want to look like I just rolled out of bed after a long night of drinking and carousing. That's not me. And no one is going to tell me that I have to conform to the modern casual norm.

By the same token I'm not going to tell someone that they can't be a Goth, or a Drag Queen, or a Punk Rocker, or anything else when it comes to their fashion choices.

But my respect for your right to choose what you wear, and your respect of my right to choose my own attire does not mean that we still won't think the other looks funny.

And we want to laugh at ourselves, let us laugh at ourselves.

It seems like both non-conformists AND traditionalists can take themselves far too seriously.

[ronstew]

...However, if they simply didn't know any better, I don't see what the harm is in letting them know of the traditional ways. Then it's up to that person how they wish to wear it. But at least they'll be making an informed decision.

And if someone is obviously trying hard to look traditional and has simply put the ensemble together incorrectly I think that it's a good thing to point out the errors in a helpful manner (the way Hamish always manages).

Like the many stories of men at weddings wearing their kilts backwards. A quiet word, a quick trip to the washroom, and everybody's dignity is preserved.

[Mr. Kilt]

snip

"you should march to your own drummer".

Regards,

Todd

I've never marched to my own drummer. I prefer to polka.

[Riverkilt]

Aye Robinhood,

Well said.

Me, I think there's room for both. I treasure the formal advice on this board, but I also think the way for kilts to remain a fashion boom of common sense is to push the edges of "kilt fashion."

My gallery will show plenty of kilt mistakes, as well as some kilt ideas.

I'm very grateful to the guy who shared wearing Hawaiian shirts open with a t-shirt under with a solid kilt. (Today I'm at work in a green Hawaiian shirt with a sea turtle print, a USMC olive drab t-shirt, olive UK mocker, and (gasp) short olive dress sox with brown tennis shoes.

I'm also grateful to the guys that have shown us that jean jackets work well with kilts (thanks Pour1).

Kilts need to be as varied with fashion as pants are...

Its the brave souls on this board and elsewhere that push the envelope and discover new looks that work well.

Ron

[Colin]

I don't know. I wear my kilts in traditional and non traditional manners. However I am not wearing a kilt to start a fashion uprising, or to join some imaginary cause that some people seem to think is in effect.

This forum is very knowledgeable as a group, and we use our resources to promote the proper wearing of the kilt. The kilt is part of my family heritage and one which I am extremely proud of promoting. To see the way some people think the kilt should be worn can be insulting, but that is just me. Respectful things deserve respect.

In terms of pictures showing men wearing kilts too long, tightened with duct tape, backwards, etc.......we need to lighten up. Most, if not all, of us have worn the kilt wrong in some way or form and have been corrected by someone more knowledgable. We all started from point zero and had to learn. Some of us bought a book on kiltwearing, some of us had family or friends that could help, some of us found these forums before we started and used it as a resource and sounding board, etc. The point is we have all been there and most of us can laugh about it.

I can put a few pictures of myself in my early kilt wearing that make me cringe now. So a bit of a laugh is all in good humour once in awhile. So instead of getting insulted by it, maybe ask members to post their worst picture in a kilt for a laugh. I am sure alot of us have one, and I am not so politically correct or sensitive that I would not show it. What's good enough for the goose.....

Ever see this before?



That was the premise upon which this site was founded. To imply that custom is set in stone just relegates the kilt back to costume status.

The premise that this forum was founded on was a shared enjoyment of kilts. "Kilts are not costumes" was the catch prase and slogan of a kiltmaker that has not been on the board for awhile.