With time more diverse kilt wearing

[Jock Scot]

No.

I have been wearing a kilt for over 40 years. Casually (not as casually as some), for business, and for formal, but I would never leave the house without a sporran, I have never worn crew socks and sneakers with a kilt and I don't think I have worn a t-shirt with a kilt more than three or four times in my life. However I am very comfortable wearing a kilt and always have been. I don't think you can equate how comfortable/confident someone is with wearing a kilt with how casually he wears it. I don't think a proper kilt is that casual a garment.

Hear hear.

[Highland Logan]

No.

I have been wearing a kilt for over 40 years. Casually (not as casually as some), for business, and for formal, but I would never leave the house without a sporran, I have never worn crew socks and sneakers with a kilt and I don't think I have worn a t-shirt with a kilt more than three or four times in my life. However I am very comfortable wearing a kilt and always have been. I don't think you can equate how comfortable/confident someone is with wearing a kilt with how casually he wears it. I don't think a proper kilt is that casual a garment.

I have to support Chef on this one, although I do wear t-shirts on occasion during the summer (company shirt for work, and one with the logo of my own small business).

I have disagree with the kilt snob here. A kilt with all the trappings is something that it had to evolve into. A 'proper' kilt would be everyday wear with no rules regarding this or that. The Scotsman of yesteryear didn't go hunting for supper in full PC regalia. I'm sure if a particular item had no function he wouldn't wear it. Dress up or dress down if it makes live easier (as I'm sure it does) then all the power to you.

I would remind people that what a Highlander would have worn while hunting in the 16th-17th century has no bearing on the rules and etiquette of proper modren Scottish attire, nor should it. Otherwise we end up surrounded by people dressed as "cartoon" Highlanders wearing all the latest fashions found on the newest bog body to be dug up.

Frank

[SportBilly]

I have to support Chef on this one, although I do wear t-shirts on occasion during the summer (company shirt for work, and one with the logo of my own small business).


I would remind people that what a Highlander would have worn while hunting in the 16th-17th century has no bearing on the rules and etiquette of proper modren Scottish attire, nor should it. Otherwise we end up surrounded by people dressed as "cartoon" Highlanders wearing all the latest fashions found on the newest bog body to be dug up.

Frank

Without wishing to pee on anyone's ghillie brogues, I'd suggest that 'enforced' etiquette (outside of 'dress' occasions of course) is exactly why most people who have considered kilts don't wear them

Speaking from personal experience, the realisation that a kilt can be worn without ruffles and a PC jacket was a revelation for me and led directly to my recent first kilt purchase.

[Jock Scot]

Without wishing to pee on anyone's ghillie brogues, I'd suggest that 'enforced' etiquette (outside of 'dress' occasions of course) is exactly why most people who have considered kilts don't wear them

Speaking from personal experience, the realisation that a kilt can be worn without ruffles and a PC jacket was a revelation for me and led directly to my recent first kilt purchase.

What a shame you have thought as you did.Wearing the kilt with a PC is not a common event for most of us,but the truth is that the kilt can be worn in a more informal style without looking sloppy.I amongst others feel that the kilt looks wrong when worn with a T shirt,no sporran,hose down at ankle,sandles etc.

For me,informal wearing of the kilt means,traditional wool kilt,hose drawn up to the correct height,well polished shoes,sporran,opened neck collared shirt,with or without pullover.People are quite at liberty to have other ideas but for me, I feel that any more casual than along the lines I suggest is doing kilt wearing no favours in the long run.

[SportBilly]

What a shame you have thought as you did.Wearing the kilt with a PC is not a common event for most of us,but the truth is that the kilt can be worn in a more informal style without looking sloppy.I amongst others feel that the kilt looks wrong when worn with a T shirt,no sporran,hose down at ankle,sandles etc.

For me,informal wearing of the kilt means,traditional wool kilt,hose drawn up to the correct height,well polished shoes,sporran,opened neck collared shirt,with or without pullover.People are quite at liberty to have other ideas but for me, I feel that any more casual than along the lines I suggest are doing kilt wearing no favours in the long run.

You mean it's a shame that I thought formal was the only way to wear a kilt? If that's the case then you're absolutely right. I should point out, though, that I'm not advocating dressing as you suggested for a moment, and as I said earlier, casual to me is kilt, sporran and shirt. Admittedly I wear my black hose down with boots but still think that looks casual and smart without being formal. That's the kind of casual that I think should be encouraged

[Highland Logan]

Without wishing to pee on anyone's ghillie brogues, I'd suggest that 'enforced' etiquette (outside of 'dress' occasions of course) is exactly why most people who have considered kilts don't wear them

Speaking from personal experience, the realisation that a kilt can be worn without ruffles and a PC jacket was a revelation for me and led directly to my recent first kilt purchase.

Well if you take a quick read of the past posts in the thread, no one said that all day, everyday was black tie and PC. Wearing the kilt is just like wearing a good pair of jeans or kakis with a nice shirt, correctly coloured socks and shoes. There are rules to dressing yourself. Would you wear white socks with black dress shoes and pants? Some tend to feel that the kilt is a symbol of "freedom". Well guess what, it isn't. A kilt is no more a symbol of freedom than a pair of kakis.

Frank

[SportBilly]

Well if you take a quick read of the past posts in the thread, no one said that all day, everyday was black tie and PC. Wearing the kilt is just like wearing a good pair of jeans or kakis with a nice shirt, correctly coloured socks and shoes. There are rules to dressing yourself. Would you wear white socks with black dress shoes and pants? Some tend to feel that the kilt is a symbol of "freedom". Well guess what, it isn't. A kilt is no more a symbol of freedom than a pair of kakis.

Frank

And that goes back to what I said earlier - the very reason that the trousered majority will never switch to kilts for anything other than weddings or Ren Faires because they regard kilts as too stiff & formal. I might be new to kilts but don't recall reading anywhere that they can only be worn by Sean Connery lookalikes for audiences with The Queen. They're far too comfortable to just be worn when wanting to look like a doll in an Edinburgh tourist shop ;)

[TechBear]

I would remind people that what a Highlander would have worn while hunting in the 16th-17th century has no bearing on the rules and etiquette of proper modren Scottish attire, nor should it. Otherwise we end up surrounded by people dressed as "cartoon" Highlanders wearing all the latest fashions found on the newest bog body to be dug up.

Frank

And therein lies a distinction that I think should be made. I have several Utilikilts which I wear in lieu of shorts when it is warm. While UKs are based on "proper modern Scottish attire," they are actually an American garment. As such, I do not feel constrained to follow the rules and etiquette regarding proper modern Scottish attire.

Typically, I wear my kilts with Birkenstocks and a short sleeve button down shirt. When I go hiking, am working in the yard or otherwise need better foot protection, I wear socks and hiking boots.

[Chef]

While UKs are based on "proper modern Scottish attire,"

UK's were actually based on cargo shorts.

[SteveB]

OK gang, I posted earlier on the styles of wearing the kilt that I personally found important to me. I do not believe the same opinions or standards should be had by all. Life would be a real boring bummer.
I would not coordinate a pair of threadbare Levi's, worn out sneakers with a ruffled shirt, black bow tie, cummerbund, and dinner jacket and even dream of attending a formal event. Nor would I nip down to the corner grocer in full top hat and tails either. I feel that much the same applies to the wearing of the kilt. I respect the Scottish identity that the general public tends to favour on a kilt that has a plaid or tartan fabric, whether a ****-kilt or an Anderson full wool. If the kilt is of plain colour, whether in traditional knife pleat, fringed apron pocketless, or Utilikilt type with visible or hidden pockets, I treat it as an American garment, similar to cargo shorts, and wear it far more casually. This is only my take on it. I know of musicians that have decorated tartan kilts in a manner that reflects the "Punk" music movement. Some have posted here. That is their choice and I respect them for it. I enjoy wearing the tartan kilt in public. I have worn the other forms around the house and in the area. I have found that after a short period of constant kilt wearing, the kilt is a natural part of how I kit. It is now so natural that I do not have to think about it in public. I know with confidence that everything will be proper as I amble about my day kilted. Somehow I convey being a little more proud and confident of myself whilst kilted. That is how I honor my very diluted Scot heritage.
I respect whatever others do with theirs.
I will soon master being confident in a great kilt. I right now am practicing the pleating, belting and wearing using some cheap plaid fabric while around the house, before going out in public in real tartan.
I certainly will not be so disrespectful as to visit Glen Coe in a Campbell tartan.
----Steve