About kilts in Scotland

[glengall1]

Hi from Scotland,

Yes I would say the "Alamo" scenario is a very good analogy (I've been there ).

I do not wear my kilt casually. Not cause I don't want to but it is not the culture to do so. It is probably either seen as formal wear only by some and as sports wear by others.

If you were in Glasgow last week you would have seen tens of thousands of kilt wearers. The Scottish football team were palying.

I wear my kilt when I am NOT in Scotland too. I am a major rugby supporter and travel with Scotland. I wear the kilt for the whole trip. Love it.

I sell the damn things and don't wear it casually. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: although as a sales pitch I may start doing so.

I really like the "new" non-traditional kilts. I really like the American Utilikilts and I think they would do very well over here. (Not a sales pitch Utilikilts but ..... )

Speak to you all soon.

[Monkey@Arms]

The price of kilts has been mentioned as a factor. Don't forget the cost of the jacket, etc. I wonder what percentage of Scottish men actually own a kilt? Given the infrequency of formal events, I would suspect that most just rent complete kilt outfits when needed for the occasional wedding (present company excepted), just like most men in the U.S. rent, rather than own tuxedos. (And like in the U.S. its the wedding party that more often wears them, not the guests.)

Best regards,

Jake
(Proud member of the kilt wearing minority)

[glengall1]

The price of kilts has been mentioned as a factor. Don't forget the cost of the jacket, etc. I wonder what percentage of Scottish men actually own a kilt? Given the infrequency of formal events, I would suspect that most just rent complete kilt outfits when needed for the occasional wedding (present company excepted), just like most men in the U.S. rent, rather than own tuxedos. (And like in the U.S. its the wedding party that more often wears them, not the guests.)

Best regards,

Jake
(Proud member of the kilt wearing minority)

I would reckon you are completely right. A full outfir costs in the region of £750 which is a lot of dosh. I reckon about 95% of people do not own a kilt and hire. It is my job to convince them that after 10 hires they would have had it for life.

[Alan H]

I undderstand that the football games thing has increased kilt-wearing, generally in Scotland.

Any comments from the locals?

Recently I wnt to Bishop, Calfiornia, on vacation. 20 miles east of Bishop is the Nation Bristlecone Pine Refuge...home of the world oldest living organsims, a colony of ancient bristlecone pine tree. Of the 9-10 locals that we'd talked to, they all knew about it, everyone knew how to get there, and not one of them had ever visited. It's another example of the "kilts and castles" syndrome.

I, however, drove nearly 500 miles to go backpacking, and wouldn't miss a visit to the bristlecones, when I'm in the area. wierd.

[KiltedKnight]

The price of kilts has been mentioned as a factor. Don't forget the cost of the jacket, etc. I wonder what percentage of Scottish men actually own a kilt? Given the infrequency of formal events, I would suspect that most just rent complete kilt outfits when needed for the occasional wedding (present company excepted), just like most men in the U.S. rent, rather than own tuxedos. (And like in the U.S. its the wedding party that more often wears them, not the guests.)

Best regards,

Jake
(Proud member of the kilt wearing minority)

It's been so long since I wore anything but a kilt to any kind of affair that I completely forgot that I have three tailor made tuxedos made while stationed in Germany, I need to go out in storage and see if the moths have done their work yet. Thanks for reminding me...lol

Chris.

[MacConnachie]

Well, besides the Hielan Games, and fitba' matches, and of course on those who work in the highland supply shops and rentals, I was curious as to where else one might find kilted Scots in their own country. I know that Scottish country dancers often appear kilted in performances and organized dances, and I would imagine that some of the now combined Scottish Regiment would be kilted in more formal or ceremonial settings.

Here in the U.S., besides those involved in pipe band related activities, wedding parties, and the members of this forum, I am given to understand that kilts have become rather popular for some people engaged in a game of what we call "Frisbee (flying disk) Football." Other than those examples and the occasional appearance of a kilt in the media on someone famous or infamous, I am hard-pressed to come up with other venues or situations in which wearing kilts may be less uncommon. What am I missing, here?

[MacTavishOfJapan]

I undderstand that the football games thing has increased kilt-wearing, generally in Scotland.

Any comments from the locals?

Yeeah it seems to have become part of the tartan army 'uniform'. The first non wool kilt I saw was advertised as 'excellent for going to football and rugby in".

There was a classic picture on the front page of one of the tabloids from the World Cup in France in 1998. We suffered a glorious defeat to Brazil in the opening game. The next morning there was a (whole page) picture of a pair of kilted legs sticking out a hedge or bush after a night of revellry! Excellent!

[McClef]

It's possible to get reasonably priced "off the peg" casual kilts not made of wool and with less pleating (5 yards as opposed to 8 yards) and in a limited range of tartans from several ebay shops here in the UK.

Some purists look down their noses at them but they are fine for everyday wear and that then saves the expensive tailor made jobbies for those special occasions whilst still allowing kilts be worn more frequently.

Better showing some kilt than no kilt IMHO

[MacTavishOfJapan]

It's possible to get reasonably priced "off the peg" casual kilts not made of wool and with less pleating (5 yards as opposed to 8 yards) and in a limited range of tartans from several ebay shops here in the UK.

Some purists look down their noses at them but they are fine for everyday wear and that then saves the expensive tailor made jobbies for those special occasions whilst still allowing kilts be worn more frequently.

Better showing some kilt than no kilt IMHO

Yeah, coming from Edinburgh (probably the kilt capital of the world! ) I'd say there is suspiscion towards kilt innovation. I reckon the only real way I can decide is to try a few out. From many of the posts here it looks good.

[glengall1]

Yeah, coming from Edinburgh (probably the kilt capital of the world! ) I'd say there is suspiscion towards kilt innovation. I reckon the only real way I can decide is to try a few out. From many of the posts here it looks good.

i would agree with you (and I am a Glaswegian as well :rolleyes: Not often the West coast agrees with the East coast ) but Edinburgh is definitely the kilt capital of Scotland most definitely. I am a very big supporter of the casual kilt as you point out they are far more affordable to the general working man. there is a noticable difference though I must say between the 4 yard and the 8 yard kilt but as the old adage goes you get what you pay for. Most of my friends that go on the rugby tours all have the traditional 8 yard kilts but ALSO have a casual kilt which is worn more often. We tend to do this as one of the previous posters stated bushes and such things do tend to creep up on you with unceasing regularity :rolleyes: