Contemporary vs. Traditional Kilt Perceptions?

[sharpdressedscot]

It is because Steven and I come from two completely different worlds, Two completely different times.
I am a product of the 50's and 60's. You know, the Everly Brothers, and the Kingston Trio. I was raised in the Military.
Steven comes from the age of the Seattle Grunge movement. He prefers big clunky boots, & wears dreadlocks.
When I go down to Seattle and have coffee with Steven we know that we come from different worlds and have different outlooks and styles. So we have agreed to disagree on Kilts.
It really is as simple as that. There is no animosity between us, just a huge gap of age and upbringing.
Steven vehemently denies that his product has any Scottish kilt inspiration. The Company has kilt in its name because it sells better than "Manskirt".
I started with a Traditional Kilt and tried to retain as much of it as I could while using modern fabrics.
I have a great respect for Steven, the success he has achieved and the wealth he has accumulated. I know for sure I'll never have that amount of success.

So, basically, yours is more kilt than UK?


I only have comtemporary kilts and that's my SK Wallace and my custom black one, I prefer the SK because people think of it as a skirt and I likethe material better than my black one. However, I can wear my black one to somewhere formal, it's made from the same material as dress pants or something, sadly enough. but Contemporary kilts aren't bad they're comfy and nice to wear on a warm day, though I haven't had a kilt so I can only offer my view on contemporary kilts.

[Nick the DSM]

So, basically, yours is more kilt than UK?


I only have comtemporary kilts and that's my SK Wallace and my custom black one, I prefer the SK because people think of it as a skirt and I likethe material better than my black one. However, I can wear my black one to somewhere formal, it's made from the same material as bress pants or something, sadly enough. but Contemporary kilts aren't bad they're comfy and nice to wear on a warm day, though I haven't had a kilt so I can only offer my view on contemporary kilts.

lol, bress pants

[sharpdressedscot]

Hey, I was half asleep OK! I know where you live! don't make me come over there!!

[Alan H]

I think the Curmudgeon (aka Steve from Freedom Kilts) has it down pretty well. It's the overall style that either does or does not elicit a comment.

That said, I've never gotten the "Bagpipes" question when wearing my old solid black Stillwater kilt, or my camouflage X-Kilt!

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

I have to agree with Steve. I feel you can dress your kilt up/down depending on what you wear with it. In my avatar I am in a tan Amerikilt, combat boots, chain on my wallet, and a Harley tshirt. that same kilt worn with hose, flashes, and dress shirt, all of a sudden comes off totally differently. As such, I get different reactions in the way I wear the kilt, not in the kilt itself. Hopefully that makes sense....

[DWFII]

Again, this thread is supposedly about "perceptions." So in that context whether you're playing by the rules or not doesn't really matter except in the perceptions it creates.

The bottom line is that someone wearing a traditional kilt is seen as within a cultural mainstream, especially if it's done properly; and someone wearing a leather kilt or a Utilikilt is just seen as odd or deliberately ostentatious.

Maybe...to the casual observer particularly in this country (and I am/was among them)...the traditional kilt is seen as honouring something--the past, your heritage, the culture of the Highlands (regardless of how romanticized that has been); whereas contemporary kilts are seen as dishonouring something, ie. social norms and cultural acceptance.

It has, as has been expressed here, an element of nose-thumbing or flaunting, doesn't it?

[The Wizard of BC]

Gentlemen,

May I quote the original question of this thread;

"Do those of you who own both contemporary and more traditional tartan kilts notice a substantial difference in reactions from strangers based on the type of kilt you're wearing?"

The overriding perception of this forum is one of respect and courtesy to our fellow members.

I myself pulled out of further postings on this thread because although I wear both Traditional style kilts and my own Contemporary style kilts I thought it unfair to compare the reactions I get because of the similarities of the two.

We now have people who wear only Traditional style kilts making statements like.

"whereas contemporary kilts are seen as dishonouring something, ie. social norms and cultural acceptance."

and

"I think the whole reason some things are done is because it's breaking the rules... (leather kilts for example). They look like they're worn for shock effect. :-)"

I for one take umbrage at statements such as these because they are personal opinions that do not offer an answer to the original question and may be seen as inflammatory.

May we please bring this back to answering the original question and do so in a manner that respects the spirit of this forum.

[DWFII]

sorry about the dupe.

[DWFII]

I thought I was offering another perspective and something for folks to think about.

I think the person who said that contemporary kilts are sometimes worn for shock effect has a valid point...at least from the POV of an observer. Maybe one that people too close to the subject can't quite see.

That said, I offer my sincere apologies.

[Canuck]

Another thread I posted in today made me wonder...

Do those of you who own both contemporary and more traditional tartan kilts notice a substantial difference in reactions from strangers based on the type of kilt you're wearing?

.

I own both, and the reactions I get are interesting. When I wear a tartan kilt, it is usually well received although comments vary from nice dress, nice skirt, and do you play the bagpipes.
When I wear one of my leather kilts or hemp kilts the comments range from awesome kilt dude.. neat, nice kilt!
It is odd that when wearing my contemporary kilts it is ALWAYS referred to as a KILT! not a skirt, not a kilt like garment.
That's my observation