To kilt in modern north american society

[Reiver]

Leave a rat trap out front with a beer as bait.

[tundramanq]

Steering back on topic. As a kilt wearer every day for the last 5 years, I feel I am an ambassador for kilts and try to stay in the neat casual mode. I notice a few more kilts in town now than I did when I started. My bagpipe band friend still says that I am the only full time kilter she knows of and refers newbies to me for advice. Especially for the modern stuff.

[James Hood]

Thinking on trends in male clothing which have caught on and stayed; even going back more than a half century, in this experience, there have been darned few.

We all agree and most lament, wearing the kilt is not one.

* blue denim trousers becoming non-farm, non-ranch, daily wear
* cotton tee shirts going from white to all possible colours and oft logo-ed as fashion and daily wear
* athletic shoes going from the gym and playground to fashion and daily wear
* sweatshirts with hoods going from athletic warm-up garb to daily and fashion wear
* neckties diminishing greatly in frequency in business / smart dress wear

Unless a major or bunch of popular but minor celebrities begin wearing (not necessarily or likely "traditional" or smart)...

..."The Kilt" as daily / performance-wear, kilts will continue as province of independent thinkers who appreciate its many virtues.

[Taskr]

Although it is not the modern style, I wonder if Outlander might serve as a bit of a nudge for more kilts to be seen. There are, apparently, already some tartans designed to replicate that of the TV show and rumours of merchandising on the foundation of the series popularity.

[Taskr]

From OP: Yet I am left to feel like there is something wrong with me if I don a kilt and walk down the street. Perhaps my wife is a social prude and gives me nothing but grief saying that I am trying to make a spectacle of myself.

I say this with the greatest of respect, but why are you chaps so surprised? You are wearing a garment who's significance is totally lost on most in your country who have little care for its traditions and history and lets face it, there are conclusions drawn about men wearing a skirt and its not any good denying it. I am not saying that their reactions and comments are in any way satisfactory, they absolutely are not, but I think many of you are expecting far too much from your fellow countrymen who know little about some other country's National Attire. Why should they understand?

Perhaps we are we over-thinking something. Like wearing a kilt? Good! 'nuff said.

[jthk]

Well, I am a new member to the scene and only have been wearing kilts since the start of the summer but I am hooked. I don't have much social trouble where I live in western Massachusetts as my area is fairly open-minded but I notice that other people ... notice. I have yet to hear any negative comments at all and when people do offer a comment, it's universally positive. For the record, I have been wearing an Original (now the Spartan) and Survival from Utilikilts and a Deluxe Modern from UT Kilts. I also wear an Elkommando from Mountain Hardwear when hiking. Due to the nature of my profession, I feel uncomfortable pushing that boundary so I keep my kilt-wearing to non-work times.

So far, so good. Lovin it.

JTHK

[Arboribabe]

When my husband bought his first kilt, I thought it was really cool. He joined the group of guys we know who proudly wear theirs at least once a year on St. Patrick's day and possibly a second time to some Scottish related event, wedding or pub crawl.

The second kilt was pretty cool too, because I liked the color and, hey, he had a choice.
14 kilts later... well, obviously somewhere in there my husband made the transition to a daily kilt wearer on his days off (he's a freight train conductor and has LOTS of days off.) When he first read this thread he asked me what helped me to be accepting to him wearing a kilt in public (Public? Shoot, he wears his kilt mowing the lawn and when we go hiking!)
I stared at him blankly and said, I don't remember not being used to it. He reminded me that at first I thought it was strange and it made me uncomfortable. Hmmm... really? I had a hard time remembering.

But the more I thought about it, I did recall felling odd being in the company of a man wearing a kilt while shopping at Costco, eating at a restaurant, taking the dogs to the dog park... yes, I do seem to remember being a touch unnerved and almost, but not quite, embarrassed. I mean really, Richard (Richrail) is not one to draw attention to himself. He is a reserved, quiet sort of man and wearing a kilt most certainly does draw attention.

We've been married for 27 years and for the first 24 of those years, not one time did anyone break stride to complement my husband on his attire nor did any woman pull me aside to whisper how handsome she thought my husband was in a kilt. These are now not uncommon occurrences so, yes, I have to admit that a kilt wearer is actually drawing attention to himself. Not on purpose and certainly not to be the center of attention (at least not my husband) but because kilts are comfortable and well, as my husband jokes, "Some men wear pants and some men need more room."

But when my husband and I were first married, he worked in banking and genuinely liked being a "sharp dressed man." He bought nice suits, loved French cuffs, enjoyed a nice selection of ties. He genuinely liked looking clean and polished and had and interest in men's fashion. When he went into warehousing and then to the railroad, there was no longer opportunity to nurture his fashion sense. Kilt wearing has given him a means to return to his love of fashion. And as a wife, I have to say that's a load better than women who can't get their man out of stained jeans and holey T-shirts.

So now I am not only used to him wearing a kilt, I barely give it much thought other than helping him figure out which tartan to wear on any given day when he can't decide. People still stop us in Costco and he often gets the nod from younger guys with a hearty "Nice kilt, man!" And women still compliment me on my dashing husband. But instead of being self conscious, I smile, say "Thank you," and think to myself, "Ya and he's all mine!!"

[Slalom]

Matt,

As others have said, in Canada we kilt wearers will always stand out. However, I have not heard any derisive comments here. Indeed it has been more of a conversation starter than anything else. People are polite, and may have a few questions but that is all. In eastern Ontario (Perth) there is an annual kilt run, the Glengarry Highland Games as well as two highland regiments that date back to the 19th century.

When I was living in Switzerland, perhaps because of the Basel Tattoo (second largest military tattoo), or perhaps because local dress is still worn in many villages, the reception was similar.

The kilt should be worn with confidence. No matter what others may think or say we should have no shame in wearing the kilt. It is part of our cultural tradition and we have every right to wear it in a country that prides itself in its ethnic diversity.

[MacEanruig]

When I wear my kilt, I wear it with the mindset that I am dressed proper for the occasion and everyone else is incorrectly dressed. Coincidently, many men either tell me about their kilt or that they are planning to acquire one soon. Women most often compliment me or some aspect of my attire.

I do think that you should at least glance in the mirror prior to leaving the house in order to make sure you're properly dressed. I see kilt wearers on occasion, and many are well turned out and looking sharp. I have also seen people wearing a kilt as if they preparing for All Hallows' Eve. These folks in the latter group tend to draw the unfavorable comments.

That being said, when I first began wearing a kilt, I was quite nervous; however, as many here state, confidence comes with practice. Therefore, I say wear it, and wear it as often as you like.

[Reiver]

Sorry but not very PC.
If you are afraid to wear a kilt, for whatever reason, don't wear it. You won't be comfortable.

If you are not, then wear it, and to hll with anyone else.


I wear one in the Southwest of the US in a small town...the team roper capital of Az.

If someone has an issue I tell them a bit of history and they are usually good with that...cowboys appreciate history.

If they are not good with that I'll tell them I'll introduce them to a Scot's whppin if they are so inclined....so far, they are good with it.

They appreciate commitment.