Panache Answers the "Big Kilt Questions"

[Panache]

Question # 3 Concerning hats and kilts…

Out of all the kit a gent can sport no item is more personal than his hat. I have seen kilts worn with cowboy hats, native American head dress, pith helmets, flat caps, top hats, panamas, fedoras, fez hats, knit caps, berets, in addition to glengarries, tams, and balmorals. What looks right to me on my head might not be to someone else's taste. What looks right to them might not be to mine. Unless you are wearing some sort of uniform or adhering to some specific dress code wear the hat that suits you...and don't mess with a guy about his hat...EVER!

[Panache]

Question # 4 What about white hose and highland attire?

Let me set you all straight

Once upon a time no one wore white hose

Then a few decades ago, mainly because of use by pipe bands and promotion by kilt rental shops, white hose became a prevalent fashion which is still currently in vogue with highland attire.

So wearing white hose isn't wrong. (Let’s pause here a moment. Does everybody got that? WEARING WHITE HOSE ISN’T “WRONG”! OK? Good. Let's continue...)

However, I go to a lot of SCD dances, highland games, and Scottish events and see a huge number of guys in kilts with white hose. Sometimes their white hose look quite nice with these fellow's outfits and sometimes they look quite ghastly.

So please observe the following when thinking about purchasing and wearing white hose

DON'T

Buy them because that is what the guy in the catalogue is wearing
Buy them because that is what everyone else seems to be wearing at the highland games/ Burns Night Suppers/ etc.
Buy them because you can't decide what color hose looks good with your tartan
Buy them because they are the cheapest / best deal
Buy thin acrylic ones
Ignore other options like diced or argyll hose because of the cost (they really can make an outfit!)

DO

Buy them if you actually think that white goes well with the tartan / outfit
Buy good quality ones of thick wool (hand knit out of natural wool is your very best option)
Ignore anyone who dislikes white hose on general principle
Wear them with confidence because YOU think they look great

[Panache]

Question # 5 Regimental or not?

You are (presumably) a grown up adult person and you should be comfortable enough in your own skin to wear or not wear underwear without having to ask other grown up adult people. If what you wear or don't wear under your kilt preoccupies you too much then maybe kilt wearing isn't for you.

One thing though. You do have a responsibility to not flash people so remember to use your COM MON SENSE ! Even if you prefer to forgo undergarments most of the time, when engaged in activities that might expose you (being on a ladder or trampoline, dancing, marching in the wind, dealing with children, etc) please be courteous to others that may not wish to view your assets or shortcomings and put on a pair of black boxers or briefs!

[Panache]

Question # 6 Which tartan should one wear?

One should wear the tartan that you like and/or the one that has meaning for you.

That's it!

The one caveat being that one should respect the restrictions on certain tartans (like the Balmoral tartan) and try to be conscientious of those tartans that are copyrighted and not seek to thwart fees/requirements that should be addressed. If you think about it a tartan pattern is just a few lines of color, tartan fabric a bit of cloth. We as human beings can assign meaning to them. Those colors can mean a family, a profesion, a place, an event, a Faith, a company, etc...so please remember to be respectful of the feelings others may have about their tartan. Liking a tartan for simply how it looks is absolutely just fine! It doesn’t hurt however to know what the name of a tartan you are wearing is and what it might represent (you will also sound a whole lot smarter when someone asks you "Hey what is that tartan?" and you have a good answer.

[Panache]

Question # 7 Should one’s leather accessories all have to match colors?

No, just make sure they match in levels of formality.

[Panache]

Question #8 Should one take offense at "are you a piper?” or "nice skirt" comments?

First off take in mind that kilts are not an altogether common fashion and people have a tendency to try to put what they see as a costume into some sort of a context. (i.e. “hmmm… the kilted guy must be a piper or something in a wedding”.) The word “kilt” can sometimes slip someone’s mind (or it may not be part of their vocabulary) and the reference to a “skirt” may not be malicious at all (and in truth let‘s face it, the kilt is a type of SKIRT!)

As for the lame insults thrown out by the uneducated and/or ignorant all I can say is that if you are going to be bothered by little stuff like that then don't bother wearing the kilt. A few good responses can be memorized to be used as needed. Sticks and stones folks, sticks and stones...

[Panache]

Question #9 Are modern kilts like Utilikilts really kilts?

The word "kilt" is a Celtic word that has come to represent any masculine skirt. A Utilikilt is not a traditional Scottish Kilt. Nor is the garment the ancient Egyptians wore, nor is the Greek fusinella, nor the skirt the men of the Hopi tribe of native Americans wear for certain special dances. Yet they are kilts. Language is constantly being taken from one culture for use by others. There is something so powerful and masculine in the image of the kilted highlander that this garment's name has come to represent all masculine skirts.

If you are a staunch traditionalist (and Bully for you if you are!) then these things may not be a "kilt" to you, but please show respect to your fellow man and understand that these are worn as masculine attire. When people wear a modern kilt they almost always use the word “kilt” to describe their garment. There is enough unpleasantness in the world without you adding to it. Before you think about using the term “SKIRT” to deride modern kilts and those who wear them please take a moment and think about some of the nasty slang words that have been thrown at various peoples over the years. Does your own pride/identity/opinion require you to insult someone else or their masculinity? Just please take it that the widespread use of this word honors the iconic traditional Scottish Kilt. Plus it just makes for a nicer world!

[Livingston]

VERY good information, Jamie. I agree with everything you have stated in answer to all the questions. I would, however, might I suggest one more caveat to question 6?

Question # 6 Which tartan should one wear?

One should wear the tartan that you like and/or the one that has meaning for you.

That's it!

The one caveat being that one should respect the restrictions on certain tartans (like the Balmoral tartan) and try to be conscientious of those tartans that are copyrighted and not seek to thwart fees/requirements that should be addressed. If you think about it a tartan pattern is just a few lines of color, tartan fabric a bit of cloth. We as human beings can assign meaning to them. Those colors can mean a family, a profesion, a place, an event, a Faith, a company, etc...so please remember to be respectful of the feelings others may have about their tartan. Liking a tartan for simply how it looks is absolutely just fine! It doesn’t hurt however to know what the name of a tartan you are wearing is and what it might represent (you will also sound a whole lot smarter when someone asks you "Hey what is that tartan?" and you have a good answer.

Second caveat, If you are representing a clan, pipe band etc. at a function, wear the tartan associated with that clan, pipe band etc. This also goes along with the respect of the tartan you are wearing in that you are respecting the wishes Chief of Clan MacLea or the wishes of the Pipe Major. It also helps prevent confusion of those that don't know tartans and might wish, after the function, to associate the tartan you are wearing with the wrong clan or pipe band.