how to wear modern kilts

[CMcG]

I was under the impression that modern kilts are like a pair of jeans; wear them however you like and casual is the name of the game. And then I came across this article in the Seattlest called "Lads, Learn How To Wear Your Kilts"...

The article is specifically about Utilikilts but I think we could extrapolate the opinions expressed to be applied to many types of modern kilts. The author admonishes Utilikilt wearers for being too causal and calls for "knee-highs, spats, and dress shoes" or "knee-high boots," sitting with one's legs together, and "fitted" tops preferably worn with a jacket or vest. I don't think I've ever seen anyone wear spats with a modern kilt and I thought the point was to be casual!

Granted, the only modern kilt I own is a tartan Sportkilt that I wear for hiking or lounging about the house, so I'm no expert on them... anyone else care to comment about this article? How do you approach wearing a modern kilt in 2010?

[Whidbey78]

I think you're right...wear a UK how you like. I think that is part of the design concept.

Dress shoes with a UK is like a tux with flip flops...it just doesn't quite fit though some guys could make it work. Spats? That's a bit much.

The guy who wrote this probably tries to polish Chuck Taylors and eats his Snickers bar with a fork...makes about as much sense.

Perhaps the author should be encouraged to write about things he knows about.

[NewEnglander]

I have to agree that the author's tone didn't do much to make me inclined to listen to much he had to say. That being said, here's how I wear my Utilikilt, a mocker:
Shirts: Tees most often, with a sweater or fleece over it in cooler months, occasionally a polo shirt or casual button down. ALWAYS TUCKED IN. No matter what shirt it is, I tuck it in. Wouldn't want to hide any lovely pleats, now would I?
Footwear: Usually a pair of 6-8" high logger-style boots or my hiking boots if I'm on the trail. I don't quite have the confidence to go with lower shoes yet and I always scrunch down my socks (SmartWool style) with my UK. Or if I'm at home, I'm barefoot.
Knees: One of my favorite things about my UK is how the narrow apron falls between my knees when I sit down. Of course, I'm careful to maintain my modesty, but sitting with my knees together is just not comfy. And I'm wearing the kilt for freedom and comfort, dang it!

Kilt On!

[Monkey@Arms]

I agree with what NewEnglander said, and just about nothing in that blog. The writer is entitled to his opinion, but mine is that he knows squat about wearing kilts of any variety, and UKs in particular.

Best regards,

Jake

[Alan H]

The writer of that blog has all the "attitude" and "snobsnottery" that I associate with "Fashion" in the very worst sense. He's welcome to his opinion. If he has a job with the newspaper, I suppose he can get his opinion printed.

However, as far as I am concerned, he can take his opinion and his overstuffed, self-important know-it-all attitude and dump them both in the Sound.

[DeWayne Ross]

Opinions are like what? Yeah everyone has one.

You know you see everything now days, from cowboy hats with shorts and flip flops to cheap polyester suits with a tie made to look like a fish, to the hoard of mindless zombies in wal-marts across the US in various states of disarray.
My personal favorite to make fun of is the female zombies in said wal-marts with unkemp hair in their filthy pajamas, you've all seen them, admit it.

Having said all that, for what ever reason.

It's your kilt, your the one wearing it, wear it how you want.

[Riverkilt]

Utilikilts Olive Mocker with a (gasp, gag, choke!!) necktie....



AmeriKilts putty with nice sweater for the office.



Maroon Freedom Kilt dress model with white shirt and fancy Pentleton Vest at the office.



Macdonald tartan SportKilt with white shirt for work



USA Kilts Casual in Scottish National with nice sweater.



Modern kilts can be dressed up - IF you want to...

[CMcG]

<snip>

Modern kilts can be dressed up - IF you want to...

As Riverkilt has admirably demonstrated, I guess a modern kilt can be dressed up... so I decided to investigate spats with a UK too. Lo and behold, I found a fellow who wore them together for his wedding! Interestingly enough, he does not appear to be wearing the "tuxedo" model UK.


What put me off about the article was the attitude demonstrated by the author. He was chastising UK wearers and spelling out rules, which goes contrary to what I think about modern kilts generally and especially against the way UK brands themselves. So my issue with the article is not so much the author saying that one could dress up a modern kilt, but rather that one must categorically do so.

I wonder if the author is actually a kilt wearer... apparently he is Polish-Chicagoan, now living in Seattle but his bio doesn't say anything about the bifurcation (or lack thereof) of his clothes.

[Jordan]

While I would say uk's are meant to be worn in a casual way, like Ron demonstrated they can be dressed up but I think only to a certain extent. I would think its hard to pull off a black tie outfit for example.
That said, its just my opinion your mileage may vary.
Jordan

[Zardoz]

That was about the most useless article about kilt wearing I've seen. And I've seen quite a few! oop:

When you wonder why a newbie kiltie is so poorly turned out, it's because of junk like that.