Well the answer is not many, but growing.

For instance, I'm in Cincinnati. In the 5 years that I have been regularly kilted, I have only once run into someone randomly on the street that was also in a kilt. Now I know I'm not the only kilt guy in town. Rex and Filman are both members here (the only two I know of in Cincy, buy I suspect that there are a few more), and Rex at least wears a kilt most of the time he's not at work. I know another guy, Mark, who is kilted most of the time as well (we've been mistaken for each other). Additionally, the (Owner?) and the door guy at Nicholson's Scottish Pub are always kilted (but they have an excuse) and several of the bartenders at"The Pub" in Erlanger wear kilts at least while at work.

Now I have worked the UK booth at the Cincy Celtic fest for two years, and so know for a fact that there are at least 100+ UK owners alone in the area. I have also been to many Caledonian society functions and know that there are at least another 200 traditional kilt wearers (and this doesn't include highland dancers, pipe bands etc.). I have also handed out, I don't know how many, cards to guys who seemed interested in kilts.

But at non Scottish formal events, I have attended, it is usually me and Mr. Andrew Jergens (Jergen's Lotion family) in kilts. The exception was at a Zoo gala two years ago where there were three other guys in kilts.

So why with hundreds of various kilts, don't I see more?

First is cost. Most people started wearing a kilt as a heritage thing, and when you spend $500 for a kilt, it usually doesn't become everyday wear. I think a lot of these guys would like to wear kilts more often, but it has never occurred to them to look for cheaper alternatives since cheaper kilts are a relatively new thing.

Second is convienience. I don't wear any of my tartans nearly as often as a UK because it is a pain, dealing with a sporran (or lack of pocket space) on a regular basis.

Third (and probably biggest) is fear. Sure these guys have a kilt of some kind, but they probably bought it for Celtic Festivals and the Ren fair, maybe if they are feeling particularly brave, a concert. Frankly, societies (all societies) are made up of mostly sheep. People want to be accepted by the flock. Sure there are those that defy the standards of society, but most just conform to a smaller flock (think goths, punks etc.) Guys are afraid that if they wear a kilt out of context, they will be labeled as something (In most straight guys place - at least- it is probably the fear that they will be thought of as gay/cross dresser, though there is also the fear, at work at least, of being a troublemaker if you don't conform). Add to that the fear of family or significant other who condem kilt wearing because of their own feelings, and you have a big obstacle to over come. The fact that these fears are mostly unfounded My personal experiences are that except for a few drive by shoutings, no one much cares or likes the kilt. Certainly I have never been assulted, or thrown out of a business.

Have faith, the legions of kilt wearers are out there, and our number are growning, but statistically it will take a while before you regularly see kilts. If I can find it, I will post something I wrote on the UK Yahoo group about that.

Adam