Non-tartan kilts

[OC Richard]

a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks

In traditional Highland Dress this is not true. A traditional wool 8-yard handsewn kilt is a kilt, period, and can be worn at any time of day or night. The jacket, footwear, accessories etc change to match the formality of the event but the kilt can remain unchanged.

A have a collection of old Highland Dress catalogues from the 1920s through 1950s and some do mention different sorts of kilts for Outdoor Dress and Evening Dress, however the difference appears to be only the weight of the fabric.

For example my Paisleys LTD 1936 catalog gives the following

Paisleys 'Argyll' Costume for Gentlemen (the outfit illustrated is what we would call "Day dress")

Tweed Jacket and Vest
Tartan Kilt (Heavy Quality)
Animal or Leather Sporran
Heather Hose
Flashes
Brogues (Lacing)

Paisleys Highland Dress Costume for Gentlemen (the outfit illustrated is what we would call "Evening dress" with a white wing collar shirt and black bow tie)

Full Dress Doublet and Vest, in Green Refine or Black Vicuna with Roll Collar
Tartan Kilt (Light Weight)
Seal Sporran
Tartan Hose
Tartan Ribbon Garters
Brogues, Patent Leather with Buckle

[seanachie]

You do realize that you can get a wool kilt from some sources cheaper than an RKilt hemp. I've never understood this argument. You can't justify your side by throwing a similarly priced garment into the fray. I don't know how you could justify running through the mud and muck in a $375 "modern" kilt. That's still a little rich for my blood. If you want something to withstand abuse, buy a casual PV from Rocky. They take it all, look better, and cheaper than any overpriced UK. My moderns have been worn rarely since I acquired mine.

I do own a PV kilt, but that is along the lines of a traditional kilt and I was trying to make the distinction between a modern kilt and a traditional kilt. I used the RKilt as an example, and certainly it is at the higher end but it is made and constructed to those higher standards. I also have an AltKilt that is priced more afford ably and takes a good deal of wear and tear. The casual kilt you mention is also lighter weight and the PV fabric I daresay while it will withstand mud and water from a durability standpoint is not as high on the scale of durability.
As to your point about lesser priced wool kilts, certainly a Stillwater or similar falls into that vein, however, that changes the parameters quite a bit. If you are accepting that based on it's traditional look and not the materials and construction OK. I am still not sure I would want to abuse my Stillwater solid green.

You can't justify your side by throwing a similarly priced garment into the fray.
I am really at a loss to understand this point.

But, not in your posting, the thread contains more obfuscation by throwing in MUG to the mix. I am sure in different people's lexicons this takes on different meaning but to me a MUG does not necessarily mean kilt. Some MUGS clearly are very different from a kilt, the new UK new standard being one.

Again, not in your posting, but in this thread I don't see the humor in laughing about someone (assuming it fits the definition of a kilt, ie pleats in the back, aprons in the front and generally accepted norms) who has on a modern kilt. I have very traditional kilts which I enjoy tremendously and wear often, I also own modern kilts which I enjoy equally and see not why they be held in derision.

[hkjrb623]

[QUOTE=seanachie;1083394]

You can't justify your side by throwing a similarly priced garment into the fray.


i.e. - most people would not abuse such an expensive modern either. I'm not knocking moderns, I just don't understand the draw to purchase such an expensive one.

[seanachie]

[QUOTE=hkjrb623;1083667]

You can't justify your side by throwing a similarly priced garment into the fray.


i.e. - most people would not abuse such an expensive modern either. I'm not knocking moderns, I just don't understand the draw to purchase such an expensive one.

Entirely my fault for using a bit of hyperbole. In essence I have slid through grass and gotten mud and muck on a hemp made kilt. I have not done the same with a good wool kilt and would be reluctant to do so. I also don't have any family to pass down and old "beater" kilt.The hemp kilt I can throw in the washing machine and it is as good as new. I am sure someone will make the argument that you could hand wash an 8 yard wool kilt as well but that is a more entailed endeavor. That was what I was trying to get across.

(In regards to your comment on expensive: Admittedly an RKilt is at the higher end of the modern kilt range, but not so different from UKs in price. I do own much less expensive kilts and on a limited kilting budget. The analogy I would make is when we go away for a weekend we frequently look to book at Motel 6 to save money and make it viable for a weekend away. Maybe once a year for a special occasion we'll stay a nicer property and normally for a single night. Well the RKilt is like that, if you wear one or get to see one you will understand it is definitively made to a higher standard and Robert is great to work with. So that is the draw, I likely won't be able to do it again)

[Jimmy]

2 years ago in Oban I saw a guy in a utikilt, he looked quite smart and I possibly would like to wear one but I don't think in Scotland although it would be appropriate at the next Drop Kick Murphy's concert in Glasgow, and would be ideal on that night.
Perhaps the availability of cheaper kilts in Scotland prevent guys wearing the Utilikilt, like most guys I have a couple of the cheaper versions for football and rugby and drunken parties

[seanachie]

2 years ago in Oban I saw a guy in a utikilt, he looked quite smart and I possibly would like to wear one but I don't think in Scotland

Jimmy is this because some would give you a ribbing or would they get upset at a Scot wearing something non traditional and give you a real harangue?

[guardsman]

Saw one once shopping,plain black,black as night, if ihad a gun I would have shot it. Seriously though,quite nice . But didnt look right to me. A Kilt to me is to show a Clan heritage or district. But its great that with the money anyone can have a tartan.I think it says something when so many of the armed services have a Tartan. But yes, they do lurk in Britain!!!!!!

[CMcG]

Saw one once shopping,plain black,black as night, if ihad a gun I would have shot it. Seriously though,quite nice . But didnt look right to me. A Kilt to me is to show a Clan heritage or district. But its great that with the money anyone can have a tartan.I think it says something when so many of the armed services have a Tartan. But yes, they do lurk in Britain!!!!!!

Pardon me, but you would have shot the poor guy's kilt!?!?!?

[Blackrose87]

Jimmy is this because some would give you a ribbing or would they get upset at a Scot wearing something non traditional and give you a real harangue?

I think it's more that people here wouldn't consider it a kilt. You'd definitely get a lot of people asking why you were wearing a skirt.