Oh NO! I'm a Kilt Snob

[GMan]

I wouldn't say snob, just a realist!

[pdcorlis]

I too spotted several "kilt don'ts" at the local Highland Games. I didn't chat with any of them but someday I hope I have the right encouraging words to help someone down the path to the kilted life.

I do see this as a right of passage- at least I know what a good kilt and a well turned out kilted man looks like!

[MacWage]

On a more serious note, and after a 4 hour nap, I'll make useful comments.

If you are in a kilt and it is worn correctly, it shows. Others who have no idea what they are doing, but want to, WILL walk up and ask you questions. By the nature and manner of the questions it is usually quite clear if they are seriously wanting to get and wear a kilt,or if they are just messing with "the guy in a skirt" ! Most of us started with a less than accurate kilt before we figured out what we were doing and fixed our problems.

Those who really want help will seek it, and if we are nice in our presentation to them, and respectful of thier person, we can make a BIG impact on them (and direct them here for more advise). I had (I thought) unconventional views on kilts and thought most of those like you were "blow hards" based on bad experiences early on. Now, I realize that most actually AGREE WITH ME on most kiling aspects. It took me asking and involvement in people having FUN kilted that I realized it.

What cracks me up are those who really aren't interested in actually wearing a kilt, so they make fun of it, showing the depth of ignorance. YET, when they come to me and express interest in real kilting (as opposed to costuming), I leave them more knowledgable and excited. MANY, many times I have had couples where the man says "I never thought of wearing my kilt to something like this . . . " and the wife says, "Well, you should have!"

[munnin]

Well I went out kilted for the first time today at the highland games in Altamont NY. I was wearing a royal Stewart affordable (casual) kilt from kiltmart.

It was purchased for a wedding on the 16th. While a more traditional kilt would have been preferable this was the best the groom could afford. After walking around for a while I felt like I was wearing a table cloth so obvious was the difference in look and feel my kilt had.

So I can understand the snobbish part o it, though my wife did say she liked me wearing the kilt.

[Bob C]

Well I went out kilted for the first time today at the highland games in Altamont NY. I was wearing a royal Stewart affordable (casual) kilt from kiltmart.

It was purchased for a wedding on the 16th. While a more traditional kilt would have been preferable this was the best the groom could afford. After walking around for a while I felt like I was wearing a table cloth so obvious was the difference in look and feel my kilt had.

So I can understand the snobbish part o it, though my wife did say she liked me wearing the kilt.

We skipped Altamont because of the weather and I've been bumming all weekend because of it. Congrats on your first kilted outing.

Regarding Chris Webb's comments above, Ren Faire nerds crack me up. The only thing worse than snobbery is snobbery combined with ignorace. I always laugh (internally) when I see one of those guys at games with his "kilt" halfway down his shins and wearing some big, floppy hat and a drinking horn on his belt. I never say anything, though, because nerds have a right to dress as they please, every bit as much as I do.

[munnin]

We skipped Altamont because of the weather and I've been bumming all weekend because of it. Congrats on your first kilted outing.

Well the weather was not too bad, damp and foggy, rather like the real highlands I imagine. I was actually in thatcher park (which overlooks altamont) earlier and that truly had the highland feel. The grounds were pretty muddy though. I wore boots so I was fine and my wife brought extra shoes for herself and the kids.

The finalist piper bands were still playing when we got there, which was nice. One guy was putting on a sheep herding demonstration with his border collie which was not only cool but the kids loved it too.

All in all a pleasant way to spend a few hours.

[Andrew Green]

Well, my first kilt was a piece from SWK, I have bought a handful more from them, and I likely will in the future too... as well as having great kilts, and tailored pieces, feilidh beags and so on. I am not so much a snob, as long as the person is doing it right, and not doing it "just for costume", as I see that as cheapening my heritage... if they seriously want to wear a kilt, groovy, I'd be willing to lend what I know. But at the same time, there are lots of resources, both for the real thing (in all its incarnations), as well as how to do it, and do it well. So, for someone to go around for too long without finding out how to do it, is almost a shame. Also, I thought those boys were from Clan Pizzahut?