Summer kilting

[Casey]

Speaking of non-Scots wearing kilts. It was interesting to find out, when I was doing some of my family history that I had a direct link to the Gordon clan on my mother's side and an indirect link to the Macgregor and/or Maclaren clan(s) on my father's side.

I had never thougth of myself as Scottish. But, maybe that's the reason for being attracted to the kilt when I was young.

Casey

[Casey]

I often work in my yard in just a pair of shorts. I think it will be just a kilt this summer.

Casey

[Rhino]

Hi Casey, I'm MacLaren too but on my mothers side
'Creag-an-Tuirc'.
Cheers Rhino

[al' Sporrano]

Hi Casey, I'm MacLaren too but on my mothers side
'Creag-an-Tuirc'.
Cheers Rhino

So when do we see you in the MacLaren tartan then Rhino? Give in to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW I've never been quizzed by a Scot about my kilt. I have been asked 'so what's with the kilt?' by Englishmen though. Just curiosity. Nothing meant by it.

Al

[Graham]

How do Scots feel about non-Scots wearing kilts?
No problem - happy to see it, provided it is being worn properly.

Thanks Robbie for answering my questions.
I'd be interested in what you consider the proper wearing of a kilt?

How do you feel about casual 4 yard kilts? Some consider them little more than pleated s****s, whereas others wear them a lot.
(my Bear 4 yard tartan is worn more than any other kilt).

I appreciate your comments

[Robbie]

Hi Graham

Proper wearing of a kilt? A kilt is a garment and like any other garment you should wear the right size, so for a traditional tartan kilt this means it shouldn't droop at the waist and should stop at top-mid knee length, and the straps should attach to the buckles. Also the flat panels are worn to the front (I have seen it worn with the pleats to the front!!). Basically, what we don't like is those who think wearing a kilt is a great joke and act accordingly.

Here in Scotland only the 7-9yd wool tartan kilts are referred to simply as kilts, everything else has a descriptive prefix eg casual kilt, sports kilt, hillwalking kilt etc. From the traditionalist point of view anything under 5yds is not a kilt of any kind (now that's going to upset someone!) - however, if you measure your Bear 4yd you are most likely to find it actually measures near enough 5yds (info from Bear on a different topic). Similarly, the lightweight 10/11oz weight is not fully accepted, although the kilt I normally wear for hillwalking etc is a lightweight 5 yard - obviously no problems when hiking solo but in company I have to be prepared for holding down in breezy conditions. However, as the Hong Kong incident mentioned previously showed, even the very heavy military kilt will lift given suitable conditions.

[bear]

From the traditionalist point of view anything under 5yds is not a kilt of any kind (now that's going to upset someone!) - however, if you measure your Bear 4yd you are most likely to find it actually measures near enough 5yds (info from Bear on a different topic).

It does depend on your waist size and the sett of the tartan but we have made our '4 yard kilts' more than 4 yards, rather than less. Sometimes as much as 6 yards was used in a '4 yard kilt'. The extra yardage is often necessary to make a decent looking kilt.
Now, we have started charging for the extra yardage but in our first year of business we tried not to charge for the extra yardage. It simply isn't feasible from a business standpoint. I shorted myself at least $2000.00 by giving away those extra yards here and there.
It was worth it to try, though. When starting Bear Kilts I heard a lot of negative comments about the "fat tax" and tried to beat the problem.
There are only two ways to get around the problem. One is to set prices higher to cover the cost of extra yardage. The other is to charge by the yard. I was forced to choose the latter only because I can't afford to keep giving away free fabric and I won't charge extra to thin guys for fabric they won't get.

[bubba]

Bear, as annoying as the "fat tax" is, I agree with you that it's unavoidable as fabric is paid for by the yard and it costs the kiltmaker for every yard. Adding on the cost of extra fabric is only common sense from a business standpoint. You don't stay in business by losing money.

[Rufus]

Bear, I also have to admit that I agree with Bubba. Originally, I wasn't very thrilled about the fat tax, but I guess I can either pay it, or get my fat butt to the gym....and we knew which is the better option. It's not the kilt maker's fault that I don't have self discipline.

Does the subject line of this thread remind anyone else of the song from Grease, "Summer Lovin'"?

"Summer kiltin' had me a blast - summer kiltin', happened so fast. I met a girl crazy for me - found a sporran, cheap as can be. Summer days driftin' away, to uh-oh those summer nights. Tell me more, tell me more, did Bear charge for fat tax? Tell me more, tell me more, like, does it come in 16 oz.?"

Mmmm bop bop....

[Rhino]

Al wrote

So when do we see you in the MacLaren tartan then Rhino? Give in to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm dithering Al I knew I'd get some stick if I admited to this 'fetish' Did you notice I'm begining to find out about my heritage too .
Where will it all end....
Cheers Rhino