Islands of Kilts

[pbpersson]

I have a feeling that there are "islands of kilts" out on the Internet and I wish we could build some bridges between the islands.

There is a group of 30-50 kilted guys meeting at a bar in Tempe this Saturday night and I just discovered this other group here in Phoenix.

Oh my gosh.....30 to 50 guys in kilts? All in one bar?

Anyway, I can't research this until I get home this evening.


Phil in Phoenix

[macwilkin]

I have a feeling that there are "islands of kilts" out on the Internet and I wish we could build some bridges between the islands.

There is a group of 30-50 kilted guys meeting at a bar in Tempe this Saturday night and I just discovered this other group here in Phoenix.

Oh my gosh.....30 to 50 guys in kilts? All in one bar?

Anyway, I can't research this until I get home this evening.


Phil in Phoenix

I think I've told you this before, but if you want to see kilts in PHX, you need to make contact wi' these folks:

http://www.arizonascots.com/

Or go to the Games:

http://www.arizonascots.com/games.html

Or link with a pipe band:

http://www.mcpb.org/

http://www.phoenixscottish.com/

See there, plenty o' kilts in PHX.

Cheers,

Todd

[Riverkilt]

Hey Phil,

Let us know who they do turn out to be...I'll invite them all to the canyonlands!

Ron

[Kilted KT]

yeah...here is an invite to the badlands....

[pbpersson]

I think I've told you this before, but if you want to see kilts in PHX, you need to make contact wi' these folks:

http://www.arizonascots.com/

Or go to the Games:

http://www.arizonascots.com/games.html

Or link with a pipe band:

http://www.mcpb.org/

http://www.phoenixscottish.com/

See there, plenty o' kilts in PHX.

Cheers,

Todd

I am not looking for people who wear kilts to games or special events, I am looking for people who wear kilts shopping, washing the car, going to work.....every day.

[macwilkin]

I am not looking for people who wear kilts to games or special events, I am looking for people who wear kilts shopping, washing the car, going to work.....every day.

That's too bad, then. In general, most Scottish societies are filled with nice people who take pride in their ancestry and wearing the kilt. You seem to have this "holier-than-thou" attitude that those of us who do not wear our kilts "shopping, washing the car, going to work...every day" are somehow "below you" -- if I'm wrong, please correct me. If you believe that kilts are about freedom, then shouldn't someone have the freedom not wear a kilt all the time, but for events that are special to them?

But, in the end, it's your loss -- you're missing out socializing with fellow kilt-wearers, who may differ from you in terms of personal beliefs about wearing the kilts, but in general, would be more than happy to see a new face, and one interested in kilts in general. Be open to these as you are to wearing the kilt on a regular basis, and you might just meet some fellow kilt wearers who turn out to be friends. And before you say, "I'm not Scottish", not everyone in Scottish groups are -- one of our most active members in our local society is 100% German Lutheran from Nebraska! My wife and mother-in-law are French Cajuns, and our President was born in Brazil. Many Scottish-American societies allow anyone to join with an interest in Scottish culture, including the kilt.

I find it interesting, though, that you are so dismissive of these groups, yet you have a tartan for an avatar.

I'm sorry to have bothered you by suggesting some groups in PHX where you could meet fellow "kilties".

Todd

[Raphael]

I am not looking for people who wear kilts to games or special events, I am looking for people who wear kilts shopping, washing the car, going to work.....every day.

I am very disappointed in your point of view. If you are really passionate about the kilt, you owe yourself to learn about the Scottish Culture. They gave us the kilt, and you should respect the history and her people.

There is only kind of kilt wearer; they are the ones who wear the kilt, whether they wear it daily or only for special events. There is no point in putting people down, even if they only wear the kilt for special events. I glad that you try to wear your kilt regularly, but to some people, the kilt is special piece of clothing. Besides, the kilt is more than a piece of clothing, but a symbol of their culture, history and family. Although I am not Scottish, but I do have attachment to the Tartan that I usually wear.

To some people, Blackwatch is a government tartan. To me, they are soldiers who defended my homeland. It has a special meaning to me. For the last 3 years, I wore it on Rememberance/Veterans day religiously. Ever since I started wearing it, I have learnt much about the military history.

I have another kilt tailored in the British Colombia Tartan. I wear it proudly because I am a British Colombian. If I am not proud to be who I am, I would not pick that tartan. When I wear it, I stand a little taller. Since I have no family tartan to pick from, this tartan is the closest thing I have.

If you don't respect the culture that gave you the kilt, don't expect people to respect your point of view.

[Andrew Green]

I hate to poke and prod, but I would be looking for people who wear kilts, period. Kilt nights, from what I understand of them, are arranged so fellow kilties can get together , goof off, and have a good time. Just the nature of the get together might make it a special event to some, and to other people, going to the bar to drink with some friends isn't a big deal, just an informal get together. I think you didn't think deeply enough about your words before you said them, if I may be so blunt.

I wear my kilts, not all the time, but often enough. I managed to get away with wearing it at work. Does this mean I would wear my top of the line kilt in an informal manner? Hell no! Right now, my top of the line kilt is a pair of belted plaids. For a more modern garment, it's a SWK heavy. All the expensive stuff is either for more fanciful events, or cold weather! The casuals, semi-trads, and all that... those are what you would wear everyday (in my head), and I have one kilt that I have on hand as a beater... I don't worry about the pleats on it, I won't worry about messing it up (let's say I was not impressed with it when it showed up at my door, but I can find use in most clothing). All the others I respect a bit more, even my SWK economy kilts.

I wear kilts for a handful of reasons, #1 for me is birth/heritage, followed very, very closely by comfort. I don't care if other people wear them or not, but if they do, I like to BS with them (hence my membership on this forum!)., and if they are more experienced than I am in a given area, I ask questions, for knowledge, for advice, and so I can make a more informed buying decision.

Pbpersson, I noticed that you had posted an apology on here somewhere. I would say that retreating from those involved in the subculture you are/were trying to promote is not the answer. The best thing, I think, is to stick around, chat, learn, see what others are doing and why. It's perfectly OK to disagree, just be mindful of how you word your replies and posts. For some people, wearing a kilt all the time might cause it to lose the aspects that made it special for them in the first place. I am writing this to try and help you out, I mean no offense by it, and I hope you don't take any. You can be on a mission to raise awareness of the kilt, you can be on a mission to return it to its status as everyday attire. I support this mindset, and, despite the marketing aspect of casual pieces, I find them quite acceptable for helping to accomplish this. Though I would honestly like to see more traditionally oriented pieces return to everyday wear, as opposed to variants that have big cargo pockets on the outside. There is a clean, simple elegance of the more traditionally styled kilts... if one is to have pockets, they should be hidden and clean.

Well, that's my little bit of input. I'm not offended one way or another. I just figured I would drop in and lend a few words of advice, and share my point of view on the matter.

[pbpersson]

You seem to have this "holier-than-thou" attitude that those of us who do not wear our kilts "shopping, washing the car, going to work...every day" are somehow "below you" -- if I'm wrong, please correct me.

Geez....no, I'm sorry I gave that impression. I generally don't think that anyone is below me.

If you believe that kilts are about freedom, then shouldn't someone have the freedom not wear a kilt all the time, but for events that are special to them?

Of course!

But, in the end, it's your loss -- you're missing out socializing with fellow kilt-wearers, who may differ from you in terms of personal beliefs about wearing the kilts, but in general, would be more than happy to see a new face, and one interested in kilts in general. Be open to these as you are to wearing the kilt on a regular basis, and you might just meet some fellow kilt wearers who turn out to be friends.

Yes, you are absolutely right!

I find it interesting, though, that you are so dismissive of these groups, yet you have a tartan for an avatar.

Well....it's a Swedish tartan and I was going to have my first "real" kilt be that tartan. However, I am thinking of next year exploring other nontrad/nontartan kilts because I'd like people to be aware of the other options out there and the concept that "You don't need to be Scottish to be comfortable"

[pbpersson]

I am very disappointed in your point of view. If you are really passionate about the kilt, you owe yourself to learn about the Scottish Culture. They gave us the kilt, and you should respect the history and her people.

I understand your point of view and I think it is valid and I understand why you are upset.

However....I have discovered that several times each day without realizing it I use dozens of Scottish inventiions. They have brought so much to our daily lives and we all owe them a HUGE debt of gratitude. Could it be possible that the kilt could someday in some modern variety become another everyday item enjoyed by all men in all lands AND would that be a bad thing?

There is no point in putting people down, even if they only wear the kilt for special events.

I really did not mean to put anyone down, if I did then I did it without even realizing it and I don't know what I find more disturbing, the fact that I am insulting people or the fact that I am doing it so naturally. I am really sorry.