What is the future of the Kilt?

[Graham]

Coming in late on this, but Rocky...well said, very well said.

I hope the future is more men in kilts, however they look.

This is exactly the point that Steven V. (UK), Robert (R-Kilts), Steve (FK), Bear (Bear kilts), Me (USAK) etc. talk about... the more people wearing kilts, the more people see kilts, the more accepted they become, the more people have the guts to wear them. If someone's wearing something that's a "lessor quality" kilt (in your opinion), don't insult them... educate them and / or talk to them. They may have a "tank" at home. They may be alergic to wool. They may be a poor college kid that spent his last $100 on the only kilt he could afford. They may be the owner of the company's kilt their wearing!

While all of the people mentioned above have a STAKE in whether or not kilts succeed on a "mass market scale", this is a market with a pretty frickin' open door policy. I've shared dinner with Robert (RK), Barb T and Steve (FK). I've had Steven V. (UK) sleep on my couch. I've sent people to Mike Butler (AK) and Jerry (SWK). I've gotten several customers from Jeff's (PK) website referrals. How many other industries can say that company owners interact like that?

Bottom line... we're all in it to have fun, make a living (not to be RICH, but to have a few dollars in our pockets) AND promote kilt wearing, even if we don't have what the person is looking for. The more people wear kilts, the more people want to wear them. It's a catch 22 (to a degree). No one likes to be the first one... the one that gets pointed at. However, with brave and confident individuals like we have here, we can help start the trend as DAILY WEAR.

[Kid Cossack]

For better or worse, my big mouth is in gear and ready to sound off on this topic. It would seem that all this cafuffle began with the Tripp kilt. The original thread was posted by a member who wanted to share with us his son's first purchase. This young lad has started down the road to kilt wearing and being young, he chose something that was appropriate for his age. As is true in many cases, his tastes and choices will undoubtly become more refined as he grows. All I can say is lighten up, support the boy and move on.

Aye, and the lad's looking SHARP in his SWK Nightstalker. I'd call that "a step in the right direction" towards "more refined" kilting!

[Colin]

Actually, it hasn't survived, not in the fashion it was in. Other than in museums. E.g., when was the last time you saw some one wearing a kilt that had a pleated apron (other than a re-enactor)? Dress is constantly evolving. Trends come and go. How we relate to them reflects who we are, or how we define ourselves. There are those who like to be way in front of the herd always, no matter what is being worn conventionally. (Or outside of it) And then there are others who like to blend in, like my blue jeans wearing brother, who wore a sarong in Bali almost constantly, but would never wear one in the US.

I would guess that the kilt as we know it will not be around in a hundred years. After all, it developed only about a hundred years ago. And a hundred years before that it was rather different.

Actually, the little kilt has been around for a couple hundred years (I consider 200 years or so history). It may not be an exact match, but it's not an exact match now from maker to maker. I've got kilts from Bear in PV, I've got a 8 yard wool one from Scotland, and a 5 yard wool one on the way. None of my kilts are the same, but I am going to keep wearing them so I do know their future.

I think people on these forums forget that not all kiltwearers are on these forums and that there are thousands of other people worldwide that wear kilts (of many different varities) that don't take part in the online forums. The fate of the kilt and the road all the models take is not soley in the hands of the online communities.

[Chef]

Well I think the answer is quite obvious. If you deny that a garment is a kilt, which we all agree is a garment designed for, and traditionally worn by, men, then what is the alternative? In Western society I think we all know the answer.

Your statement that you'll defend some ones right to wear any garment they please rings hollow, if at the same time you effectively label said person a cross-dresser because their "kilt" doesn't meet your subjective criteria for what is a kilt.

Actually I think you are reading into what I was saying. I certainly agree on your definition of a kilt, I personally however do not believe that all unbifurcated garments designed for men and worn by men are kilts. That however is not the same as calling someone a cross-dresser, whom I would define as a man dressing up as a woman. While I don't think some of the new garments being called kilts are, I don't think that means the wearer is a cross-dresser. So again it may not be my idea of a kilt, but I will defend their right to wear it. I also defend the right of someone to be a cross-dresser, I think it's odd, but they have the right.

For better or worse, my big mouth is in gear and ready to sound off on this topic. It would seem that all this cafuffle began with the Tripp kilt. The original thread was posted by a member who wanted to share with us his son's first purchase. This young lad has started down the road to kilt wearing and being young, he chose something that was appropriate for his age. As is true in many cases, his tastes and choices will undoubtly become more refined as he grows. All I can say is lighten up, support the boy and move on.

Which is why I started the thread rather than post in that thread. I agree we should support him, and this thread wasn't meant to do otherwise. It was however reading that thread that got the debate started in my head and therefore gave me the idea to start this thread.

[Monkey@Arms]

Actually I think you are reading into what I was saying. I certainly agree on your definition of a kilt, I personally however do not believe that all unbifurcated garments designed for men and worn by men are kilts. That however is not the same as calling someone a cross-dresser, whom I would define as a man dressing up as a woman. While I don't think some of the new garments being called kilts are, I don't think that means the wearer is a cross-dresser. So again it may not be my idea of a kilt, but I will defend their right to wear it. I also defend the right of someone to be a cross-dresser, I think it's odd, but they have the right.

Fair enough. Forums are an inexact means of communication. I still think my answer explains why men who personally consider the garment they are wearing to be a kilt, albeit perhaps a modern variant, are adamant that it not be categorized as something else. A kilt is a garment recognized in Western society as a man's garment. Most other unbifurcated garments are not.

Best regards,

Jake

[Robinhood]

Actually I'm waiting for straightjackets to become
fashionable so people stop asking why I'm in one
and start saying how good I look. They go
really well with a kilt.

[ozone]

OK, now that my comment has been quoted several times, I think i should clarify: My sarcasm was somewhat directed at the future of this website.

First, I personally think that the whole Tripp kilt thingy is overblown. As far as I am concerned, it looks close enough to a kilt to qualify and we should encourage people to wear kilts and support them when they do.

Now, to the meat of my issue. If this a kilted website, it is my opinion that there should be some sort of standard as to what constitutes a kilt-like garment. Otherwise, we will indeed become just another MUG site like others we have all seen on the web. I have seen the moderators on this site comment about certain topics being not kilt related and more suited for the off topic section and so on. I cant remember a specific example...sorry. Anyway, I dont know if there are standards that can be applied, but nor do i want to see lots of discussions on sarongs or skirts. I know there's a line in here somewhere, but i cant articulate it well right now.

[Robin]

I always love it when these threads pop up. I for one hope the kilt does not become a "mainstream" male garment. The kinds of design and fabric choices necessary to create a kilt that can hang on a rack at Walmart with a $20 price tag do not excite me - and lets face it... that's "mainstream."

I agree...same with the crap quality ****/Royal Mile trash.

All kilts are fine...when they're made well and good quality fabric....wool, cotton, leather or whatever. More people wearing kilts....awesome, but when craftmanship and quality goes into the abyss (and I'm afraid that will happen) I gonna sit in a corner and cry

[RockyR]

Actually I'm waiting for straightjackets to become
fashionable so people stop asking why I'm in one
and start saying how good I look. They go
really well with a kilt.

HAHAHAHA

[flairball]

I've got to chime in on this thread.

As to kilts becoming popular; I can see some of the less traditional, more modern type kilts becoming more common, but popular, I don't think so. My reasoning; price, and style. Most of the younger generations who tend to push clothing trends aren't afraid to spend money on clothing, but probably won't want to spend the kind of money it costs to buy a tank. Most of these people would also perfer to not look retro, but would rather move forward, and try to incorporate the look into where todays fashion is going. Of course I am not very fashionable myself, so this is just speculation.

I think the most important thing is to look, and act appropriate in whatever kilt variant you choose to wear. How we put our outfits together is important, as it sends a message to whoever sees us wearing our kilts. The kilt outfit you wear changing your oil may not be the best choice of kilt outfit to wear to a wedding. Nor would the kilt outfit you wear at a wedding be the most appropriate choice for spending a day at the mall with your wife. Some kilts were designed for casual use, while others were designed to be worn formaly. Others still fall comfortably (and thankfully) in the middle. Put together the right combination, and adopt the correct behavior for the situation, and kilt wearing will be advanced.