Not exactly a poll, but a question-How often are you the only one kilted?

[MacLowlife]

Answering some of my own questions, I have worn the kilt to a wedding and funerals, all connected with my membership in the local St Andrew's society. I wore it once to my own birthday party and was the only one there in a kilt. I have been getting around to a kilted night out with some fellow X Markers and others, but haven't gotten it organized yet. And once a year I wear it to a kirkin service.

A couple of years ago, I outfitted my then - sweetheart's son in a kilt for his school prom. He was the only one kilted there and he looked better than I ever have.

If I were in a position that would require me to make a good impression on strangers, say going to court or a job interview, I would be wearing trousers. And most likely a jacket and tie.

[Chaps]

I wear my kilts to some casual social gatherings, (i.e. the local pub on rare occasions, New Years Eve party, a few backyard barbecues) church on occasion (I attend a Presbyterian Church that holds onto its Scottish heritage and where kilts are not uncommon, even the Pastor wears one occasionally), Scottish/Celtic events and games, hiking, to the theater, and to social events for work (Christmas party). I will also wear a kilt while at home once in a while. At church and Scottish events there are often others kilted, but for the rest I am usually the only one kilted. I would only wear the kilt to a wedding or funeral if others were kilted as in those circumstances I would not want to be a distraction. Aside from occasions where others are kilted, I tend to wear a kilt in place of a nice suit (the theater, Christmas Party, high end dinners), in social settings where I am with friends (pub and barbecues) as well as when it is more comfortable to wear the kilt rather than pants/shorts (hiking and around the house). So while not a daily practice, I probably wore a kilt on 8-10 different occasions in December.

[ratspike]

I wear a kilt every day so I've done almost everything on that list in a kilt. I've never attended a funeral but if I did, I'd wear a kilt without a second thought. Wedding consultations and bridal shows are very similar to the bank meeting, probably even tougher, and I've been doing them in a kilt with great success.

I'm almost always the only one in a kilt, with a few rare exceptions like a piper at a wedding or running into someone at REI who's wearing a Utilikilt.

[Jock Scot]

Within the bounds of the Scottish Highlands I would------ and have worn the kilt to almost any activity and function that one can sensibly attend, including, visiting bank managers, Members of Parliament, doctors, accountants, surveyors and so on. However, the kilt is not always the best attire for all events, deer stalking for one and funerals at a certain and largely West Highland Christian denomination(the kilt would be considered brash and loud for the occasion) for another. On many days and at many events I am often the only person wearing the kilt.

As to playing golf in hunting attire, I find that the spurs upset the greens keepers so!

[Blueline72]

I usually wear mine to the Kirkin of the Tartan, I have worn it at parties, I wore it to the opera opening night where not only was I the only one kilted but the only one in black tie. (what is the world coming to?) I am usually the only one kilted except at the kirkin where the Nebraska Scottish society was kilted as well. Years ago I did wear it to work as a bouncer at the comedy club I worked at. Actually it was a big hit. I would definitely wear it to a kilt night at a bar if we could get one together in my area here in Eastern Nebraska.

[Kiltedjohn]

Few, if any, people are kilted in my neck of the woods, so I'm likely to be the only kilt-wearing person.

Most often, I wear my kilt to go on country walks, as well as casually "about the house". This Friday, I am going to lunch with a group, and may decide to go wear a kilt. I will be the only one!

When visiting Scotland, I make a point of wearing a kilt most of the time, as it seems appropriate - I am Scottish, and feel comfortable when wearing it in my home country.

[t_challa]

1- Do you go to gatherings in your kilt where you are the only one? How do you decide when to wear your kilt?
In more or less ascending order, do you
2- wear the kilt for daily casual wear
3- wear the kilt for work
4- wear the kilt for "social occasions" (i.e, out drinking, to parties, etc)
5- wear the kilt to events- weddings, balls, the opera, the ballet, shows
6- wear the kilt to funerals
7- Would you wear the kilt to a meeting at your bank, where you wanted to borrow money, or to a first weekend away to your significant other's parents'?

1- To date, I have yet to go to a party or function and seen anyone else in a kilt.
2- All the time
3- Once, so far, as it was the office Xmas party
4- All the time, especially when I'm djing
5- Not as of yet
6- Am fortunate that I haven't had to attend any funerals in the past few years, and unless the person was Scottish, I don't think I would
7- Bank - no, weekend away with significant other's parents - I probably would (I would never hide any of the things that make me me)

[Peter Lowe]

Do you go to gatherings in your kilt where you are the only one? How do you decide when to wear your kilt?
In more or less ascending order, do you
wear the kilt for daily casual wear
wear the kilt for work
wear the kilt for "social occasions" (i.e, out drinking, to parties, etc)
wear the kilt to events- weddings, balls, the opera, the ballet, shows
wear the kilt to funerals

Would you wear the kilt to a meeting at your bank, where you wanted to borrow money, or to a first weekend away to your significant other's parents'?

I referred on another thread to "wearing your hunting clothes to play golf". Please note, I didn't say wearing your golf clothes to go hunting. As nearly as I can tell, there is no practical reason NOT to wear hunting clothes to play golf. However, I almost never wear my kilt to church and I would only wear my kilt to a wedding if I knew of some connection between the wedding party and kilts. The same goes for funerals.

Thanks for your replies.

I do not wear the kilt on a daily basis. Not least because I am a keen golfer and I find it unsuitable attire. I own one suit which I use when I attend funerals. Otherwise I wear the kilt to social occasions and to events as defined by the OP. In addition I wear it to six or seven "black tie" dinners during the year. In all I probably wear the kilt fifty times a year.

At my age (69) the "significant other" question is not applicable but I would not specifically wear the kilt to visit the bank manager although I would wear it if I happened to be wearing it for another event.

Over the next three months I am attending family weddings in London, Auckland and Lincolnshire. At each of them the dress code is suit so I will wear my kilt with tweed jacket etc. I suspect that I will be the only one in Auckland but there will be others in London and Lincolnshire.

I find the kilt to be extremely flexible attire. I can dress up or down. This satisfies my instincts for "value for money". I am amazed at the number of times I have someone say to me at a social event "I wish I knew that you were wearing your kilt - I would have worn mine.

Peter

[mattbeaty]

In my little town of about 25,000 there is only one other guy who regularly wears his kilt. As such I am almost always the only one kilted. Since 2007 I have done everything on that list in one kilt or another. After a while, I guess I just got used to being the only one.

EXCEPT, for my birthday parties. Each year, I encourage my male friends to don the kilt (usually one of mine) to help me celebrate another year around the sun. It makes for a great time at the pub and encourages liberal consumption of whiskey.

My in-laws still don't "get it," but at this point, I don't really expect them to. My lady loves the kilt and is decidedly on-board with the Year in the Kilt project. Lucky me!

[OC Richard]

I do not wear the kilt to church, as I believe that the attire for worship should be subdued and somber... so as not to cause any distraction.

The kilt is not always the best attire for all events... funerals at a certain and largely West Highland Christian denomination (the kilt would be considered brash and loud for the occasion)

I wear my kilts to... church on occasion (I attend a Presbyterian Church that holds onto its Scottish heritage and where kilts are not uncommon, even the Pastor wears one occasionally)

These quotes about kilted church-going are interesting and once again show that it's all about context.

I would never consider wearing Highland Dress to my own church because I would stand out as unusual and attracting attention to myself is the furthest thing from my mind.

However I do know two local Pastors, a nondenominational Pastor who is a Scot, and a Presbyterian Pastor of Scottish descent, who preach in kilts on occasion, and a kilt wouldn't attract the notice in their churches that it would in my church.