Why the rise in kilt popularity?

[Sionnach]

DFWII posed a question in the thread- Do Scotsmen really wear the kilt? which I thought might bear some exploration on its own. I did a quick perusal of older threads to be sure it hasn't been beat to death.

So here is my paraphrase (with apologies to DFWII)- why this sudden(?) popularity in kilts- especially in (but obviously not limited to) the USA?

[Panache]

I blame Hamish!

Cheers

Jamie

[auld argonian]

I blame Duncan...from Monarch of the Glen, that is.

I also blame Samuel L. Jackson.

After watching Monarch for a while, I thought, "...heck, I always thought that wearing a kilt might be cool and this Duncan fella makes it look pretty cool...".

Then I saw Sam Jackson on Jay Leno wearing his kilt and figgered that was it!

I do seriously think that there's more availability, more support (from this forum, notably) and that guys look around at other fashion trends and figger that they may as well give the kilt a shot since everybody else is doing their thing. I think that once a guy starts looking into getting a kilt and accessories he starts thinking about what a dashing figure he's going to cut in said outfit and dives in. Bravo for those who take the plunge!

Best

AA

[Carolina Kiltman]

I'll hazard a guess that it is not so sudden, but the natural evolution of interest, (and pride) in one's roots. I live in one of the more culturally diverse areas of the country. A good deal is the proximity of one of the largest military bases in the world. And with the return of the GI's from WWII many with brides from other countries certainly helped.

While there have always been a relatively small group of genealogy "fans" (Think DAR, amongst others), I think it got a boost in the 60's and 70's with the publication of the very popular book by Alex Haley, Roots. I remember a discussion in one of my classes about that time, where some one pointed out that most Americans could not readily trace their ancestors back more than about three generations.

I have to admit that at the time, I could not do much better on my Father's side. On my Mother's even less. I knew she was born in Tobermory, Mull in 1900, I knew her parents and sisters (6 of them) and knew that her Paternal Grandfather fought in the Boer War. That her mother was French, but with a Scots mother.

It was about then that I started doing some serious work, and with the help of a lot of relatives (my G-G Grandfather had 10 children) managed to trace my Father's line back to 1688-89 in Maryland.

It was in this time frame that the Highland games were founded (Grandfather Mountain the first in NC), and the rest, as they say, is history.

Just my view of it. Hope it wasn't too long winded!

[Mr. Woolery]

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I will answer the question seriously.

For me, my brother decided to get married in a kilt (he really doesn't like tuxedos and having been raised by parents who play bagpipes we are both quite comfortable with the look of a kilt). My mother bought us both nice handmade kilts as sort of early Christmas presents and they came just in time for the wedding. Turned out well and my wife commented that she's never seen me looking so good. So, that was my introduction to wearing a kilt for several hours straight. I'd worn one briefly for some reason or another once before. But it really was kind of fun to wear one all day.

After a while, I found that I was honestly having trouble with my jeans. They really do get very constrictive on some very private areas. Um, not comfy. I tried one day just putting on my nice wool kilt for a few hours. The difference was enormous!

After that, I spent weeks pestering my wife to find out if she'd have any sort of problem with me in a kilt more often. She said she wouldn't, but it took several repetitions before I really internalized that she would not have a problem with it. So, I made one. Sort of. It was comfy, but looked like a really crappy skirt. Like few women would be willing to wear and fewer men. So, I tried again. And again. I'm wearing attempt number 4 right now.

I plan to make a few more (bought some PV at JoAnn's and should be able to make 4 light weight kilts as soon as I buckle down and do it). I want to buy another wool kilt (probably a SWK heavy in Black Shadow) for cooler weather. If I ever manage to get some decent wool (some other guy here bought the Loud MacLeod from F&S before I got it), I will make a wool kilt or two.

At first I was really nervous about wearing the kilt in public, unless it was with a full dress-up outfit (Argyle jacket, hose, tie). Now, I am comfortable with it for a trouser alternative anytime. Takes support from my wife and it takes wearing it out a few times just to make myself do it, then it is fairly easy.

I don't know why exactly there's an increase in popularity, just why I personally contribute to the popularity (in that one more kilted person will increase the total number of us out there).

-Patrick

[Bugbear]

Don't forget the swinging pleats!! That's important too!!
And the people looking at the swinging pleats!!
It's their fault too!!

[george7]

I'll take credit for a few Floridians and a few Ohioans.

[Southern Breeze]

The Internet.

[Sionnach]

The Internet.

I'll give the internet credit for helping me find this forum, but my interest and desire to have and wear a kilt piqued a few years ago when a MacPherson showed up at our dojo in a utilikilt, even prior to that my oldest son and I had discussed it- but funding wasn't right at those times.

The first time kilted was a moment of unsurpassing comfort.

I will say that this forum has given me the impetus to walk bravely in public more often.

[Phogfan86]

The internet has also made it so much easier to get a kilt -- be it a $30 economy kilt or a $400 model from Rocky or a $1,200 custom weave. I'm in Kansas. If not for the internet, I would've had absolutely no clue what to do if you'd have told me to buy a kilt.

And I'll take the the comment about the increase in interest in genealogy a step further: The Celtic tradition is one that belongs to the entire human family. There has been a renaissance in all things Celtic because people are looking for something to connect to.

Author Esther DeWaal puts it best for me: The Celtic tradition "is about something in you that’s older than you are."