Kilt as just another part of your wardrobe

[Shedlock2000]

Jock,

I wonder if what your experiencing is a uniquely Scottish reaction, or is it universal to those cultures that still have some form of ethnic dress? Is there the same sort of cultural drift in traditional Indian, Arab or the various Asian cultures clothing as they have moved to various parts of the world?

I do seriously wonder, but I admit that I had a somewhat humorous thought of a Jacques Écossais not being happy about how there are tuques being worn all across Canada by people with no connection to the French naval tradition, and it colors other than red!

To a certain extent, I, as a Scot, tend to agree with Jock. However, I draw a few lines:

1) If the kilt is being worn to a more formal occasion, I prefer it to be worn well or not at all. That is, that it is worn at the right height, with the correct jacket for the occasion, and so on.
2) If the kilt is being worn down, it is being worn down with taste (with a sweater, hoodie (bunny-hug!), T-shirt or something similar) and the kilt is again at the right height etc.
3) If the kilt is to be worn at a sporting event, then trainers are ok -- however, if it is not, I really do like some boots, shoes, and hose to be involved!

For me, these things are important because the kilt is a cultural piece of clothing and it needs respect when being worn formal (I have the same disdain for improperly cut suits and over length suit pants). However, the kilt, as I see it, is a garment of clothing worn on the lower half and as such, can be supplemented with a wide variety of tops to be appropriate for various occasions. Actually, I am a huge fan of the kilt being worn in this way, as I believe it furthers and promotes a growing and developing national identity that (I hope) refuses to be dry, dusty, and old fashioned). That is to say that I love that the kilt is being worn contemporaneously -- in this way, I have a huge amount of respect for the work of Howie Nicholsby, who is making the kilt more 'trendy' (though I use a passé word). I am not, however, a fan of the leather kilts and alternative fabrics.