Sooooo, why don't more Scots wear kilts?

[michael steinrok]

Whew, for a moment I thought we were getting off topic?

[Martin S]

Sorry to say, Hamish has lost his international title as best-dressed kilter.

This is ghastly !!!

I won't invite you to Gatwick again, Ham !!!

Your former friend,
Martin

Here's a piccy:


(8 yard, 14oz woollen kilt by ClubKilts, Strathaven, Scotland)

[mrpharr]

Way too funny!!! LOL!

[Martin S]

PS.
Ham's pic in green striped kilt may well be the answer to the question
"Why do Scots not wear kilts any more?"
The good old-fashioned tartan kilt is being replaced by all sorts of odd looking skirts, so I'm not surprised if the Scots don't want to follow the trend.

Tradition has some merits.

Martin
(now thinking of something nice to say to Ham)

[highlander_Daz]

actually the hoops of Celtic FC are a symbol of a team (clan) of which has millions of devoted followers over the world, when you wear the colours you are part of a family of followers- so Id say that the hoops are the nearest thing to a modern Tartan, they show alliegence, and loyalty to the clan chief (Gordon Strachan) so im many ways football is similar to the clan system.

[auld argonian]

Oh, come on...Ham's outfit looks right smart.

Have you ever watched an American football game with the stands full of Green Bay fans with huge yellow foam rubber cheese wedges on their heads?

Or the ususal gaggle of bare chested fat guys who have painted themsleves up in the team colors and are jumping up and down in a drunken frezy with their man-tits flopping all over?

There is also a fan group (again of rather large gentlemen) who dress as women with rubber pig snouts...now that's class!

Count your blessings.

Best

AA

[KiltedBishop]

ok so I guess I need to way in. In my eternal arrogance I offer my opinion as a VERY proud Irish/American (American-Irish as the Brits called me) who just got home from working in England for a year. I was in Cumbria and made journeys into Scotland, Ireland, and all over England. I wore kilts every moment I wasn't at work or on a plane. A Scotsman at the pub I frequented in England told me most Scots don't buy their first kilt till they leave Scotland, but he thought my Utilikilt was quite sharp.
My experience as a kilted American-Irish was generally good. The only real harrasment I got was from English youths. The English as a general rule didn't seem bothered, and in fact on one occassion I had a heck of a time keeping a woman I worked with from peeking underneath at a party (all in good fun). I just told her she should stop or it would ruin her for all other men. haha
Scots seemed positive about it, but it appeared to me most thought of kilts like we think of tuxedos/tailored suits, only for special occasions. Though no one spoke to me of any problems with my kilts. In fact one highland games I went to in Scotland I got a mountain of compliments on my olive original Utilikilt and gave a number of cards out. The Irish seemed to react the best to my kilt, oddly enough. In fact one young girl (14 or so I would guess) seemed quite enamored by me in my kilt. Sure she was a kid, but being a large guy it was flattering all the same. hahaha I do understand the idea of tradition in the kilt being for special occassions, but for me (and this is my opinion, and only MY opinion) that kilts can be like trousers (don't shoot! let me finish my analogy!) there are tailored trousers of fine wool for suits/tuxedos, and there or casual cargo pants or jeans. But they are all trousers right? Why can't Kilts exist in the same regard? practical comfortable kilts for everyday wear and that handmade wool kilt in the closet for more formal times?
I don't know if I made a point by now. I will say the only trip to London I made (Ham sorry I didn't try to meet up with you, it was a surprise weekend trip for my birthday) seeing what I saw on the tube and around town, a kilt would seem tame. hahahaha

BTW as a side note, as an American-Irish I did so enjoy being in England when England lost to Northern Ireland for the first time in 20 year and the first time in happeneing in Belfast in 70 years...hehehe

Thats my piece...cheers mates...

[Hamish]

PS.
Ham's pic in green striped kilt may well be the answer to the question
"Why do Scots not wear kilts any more?"
The good old-fashioned tartan kilt is being replaced by all sorts of odd looking skirts, so I'm not surprised if the Scots don't want to follow the trend.

Tradition has some merits.

Martin
(now thinking of something nice to say to Ham)

Well? I am still waiting, Martin!

Actually, just between you and me, I cannot stand football (or most other team sports - other than Scottish Country Dancing!), and have never been to a match. The kilt was a contribution to my 'Kollection' from a kiltmaker who specialises in making them for football supporters of differing teams. I have worn it out in public only once - to please some Catholic friends of mine - but that was nowhere near a football stadium! Other friends supplied me with the Celtic shirt, scarf and a teddy-bear mascot similarly attired!

[Hamish]

.......................... I will say the only trip to London I made (Ham sorry I didn't try to meet up with you, it was a surprise weekend trip for my birthday) seeing what I saw on the tube and around town, a kilt would seem tame. hahahaha
.................................................. .............

We'll have to do it next time you are over here, Your Reverence!

I go kilted (what else?) to London roughly once every month. Walking a great deal, but also travelling by bus and tube frequently, and I really do not think I have ever experienced any reaction other than the occasional second look or backward glance. Oh yes, the exception would be the inevitable requests for photos to be taken with me, usually by Japanese tourists!!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Kilted Bishop,

Welcome back to the left side of the pond! Only we are in our right minds.

And I really like your analogy of dress pants to dockers and jeans as a way for people to regard kilts as well. Some kilts are reserved for special occasions, just like my suits, others are for everyday office wear, like Dockers and slacks, and still others are for just kicking around, like my SK or SWK standard.