To kilt in modern north american society

[Angela Kaye Bodine]

I like seeing men in kilts.. There are a lot of people out there that would rather be or say not so nice things to people.. Those types are like the bullies in the world, they have to say mean things to make themselves feel better...It's sad that some adults still behave like that..Like all that has said wear your kilts w pride..Who cares what some think or say....Men look so handsome in kilts.. Angie

[Thekiltedmohawk]

I agree with Angela. I don't wear kilts to get the others' approvals on it. I wear it for myself, and that's all matters to me. If someone likes it. Cool. If someone dislikes it. Cool. It's been 6 months since I first donned a kilt. I love it so much that I'm turning into the full-time wearer.

[Richrail]

Yesterday was an adventure, I decide I might just try kitting. I'd like to see if I can make my own hose, or at least patterned hose cuffs. So my wife said I should go to the local kitting supply and tell them what I want. Ok so I walk in to a store full of ladies knitting, all ages. I tell the two young ladies "I want to learn how to knit". Wow what a way to draw attention, all positive attention at that. So guys if you really want to meet ladies kilt up and walk into a knitting or sewing store and say I want to learn.

[OC Richard]

As I've said before, as a piper Highland Dress has always been the sine qua non of public performance.

I'd never think about attending church or most other activities in Highland Dress. I have no interest in being a fulltime kiltwearer.

I can't remember a negative comment in decades. I get "nice kilt!" or "where are your bagpipes?" to which I answer "in the car!" (such encounters usually take place on my way to, or from, a gig).

As I've said the exception to all of this is when formality is required, say a suit or tux, because I own neither, and in these very rare cases I press my Highland Dress into service.

And I'll wear Highland Dress to specific Scottish-themed functions sometimes, say a Scottish concert, or a Highland Games that I'm not playing at.

Anyhow that's the extent of my North American kiltwearing.

Also as I've said that at my workplace, Disneyland, where I see tens of thousands of people from all over the world every day, seeing guys in Utilikilts is common, almost daily. These guys are usually from the Pacific Northwest, the home of the Utilikilt.

[MacEanruig]

There is a good reason men's kilts should be no shorter than the top of the knees. When you bend over the rear fabric has to go around your rump so the hem rises. On my fairly rumpless body that shortens the drop by 7 inches which is as close to exposure as I will let it get.

Quick public service.
Kilt check: Stand with your rear facing a full length mirror and bend over putting one hand on the floor. Pick up the front aprons with the other hand and look beneath to see how close you get to exposure.
Also keep in mind that the hotter the day, and generally, the older you are the lower you will hang.

If in doubt squat! Please.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, but my days of bending over without bending my knees are a distant memory.

[tundramanq]

I am getting there Mark. The other reason I plant my hand on the floor during my check is to keep from turning this into a head plant when my head goes fully upside down during the peek.

My arthritic knees preclude kneeling in the grocery store when getting things off the bottom shelf as I have to grab something to pry myself back up. Hard to do gracefully.

[Mel1721L]

I wear my kilt frequently and generally receive nothing but positive comments. HOWEVER, I have a drunken louse that lives 2 doors down from me and every time I go by its house I hear "There it goes wearing a skirt again, fu--ing ." I am about ready to jump through the window and strangle that a__hole. Any ideas on a good response? I have run out of them.
He is a drunk and a dredge on society but I am sick and tired of this worthless excuse of a human.

How about. "I can take this kilt off any time I like, but you'll always just be a low life drunk."

[Mel1721L]

There is a good reason men's kilts should be no shorter than the top of the knees. When you bend over the rear fabric has to go around your rump so the hem rises. On my fairly rumpless body that shortens the drop by 7 inches which is as close to exposure as I will let it get.

Quick public service.
Kilt check: Stand with your rear facing a full length mirror and bend over putting one hand on the floor. Pick up the front aprons with the other hand and look beneath to see how close you get to exposure.
Also keep in mind that the hotter the day, and generally, the older you are the lower you will hang.

If in doubt squat! Please.

I never bend from the waist when kilted, I always bend the knees and squat down if I've dropped something.

[MacEanruig]

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.

And may I add:
* pajamas becoming normal wear
* flipflops everywhere

The list goes on. My advice is to wear your kilt in areas you feel comfortable.

[aonghas]

My wife wearing a tartan skirt and I kilted, were at a restaurant tonight, some patrons were looking I suspect. The couple at the table beside stared and whispered, the lady was very intent. As they were leaving she said to the waitress in a loud voice, that her man was a real man because he wore pants. Creator bless her, it made our evening the better for it, her "man" started to give me the evil eye, I just burst out laughing, I guess he thought better of it. Ah well no night if perfect.
Will be going again.....