What is the future of the Kilt?

[Chef]

OK, I was gong to make this a post in the Tripp thread that was going on but as I was typing I decided that my response was less about a single kilt and more about the future acceptance of the kilt so I thought it would make for a good topic if we all try to be good.

So to begin I will start with the Dreadbelly's words:

You know, we have a forum member that just bought one of these.

We should show just a little respect.

People are going to put us down for what we wear no matter what... We shouldn't be putting each other down.

On that point I absolutely agree with you as should we all.

However I am not convinced that wearing this kind of garment will lead to wearing a "mainstream" kilt as also mentioned, nor do I think it furthers the "kilt" cause. I am sure some will move on to a more traditional look, but I don't think it happens very often.

These club/ goth garments and even some of the other non-traditionals will, I believe, always fall outside of what the general public sees as a kilt. Think about it, ask your average person on the street to describe a a kilt outfit and will bet you end up with a description of a piper or at least a very traditional type of outfit. Now if they are actually looking at someone in a kilt their idea can be stretched a bit. Maybe the kilt isn't made of tartan or they are wearing a rugby shirt instead of an Argyle, but if too many of their preconceived ideas are not there, they I don't think will no longer see it as a kilt (even if they use the term for lack of a better way of describing a man in a skirt). They will see a goth kid, or a punk or generally someone outside the mainstream who doesn't like to conform.

This creates two problems; first since Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public don't see it as their idea of a kilt they will see the garment as outside the mainstream. If down the road that becomes their idea of a kilt an who wears one, it does not help further the acceptance of the kilt as a mainstream garment. Second if the person wearing the garment sees it as part of his association with the group they are more likely to give it up should they no longer identify with that group.

My point being that I don't think that these types of garments hold the key to acceptance by society of the kilt. Now I know that many of our members could care less about that and I say "guid on ya", I salute you and you should be proud of whatever you choose to wear. I just think we can't plan on this being the future of kilt acceptance as man's garment in the mainstream.

So to finish what do I think is the future of kilts? Well, obviously not the Tripp garment IMHO. If the kilt is to make it to mainstream I believe it needs to hold closer to the traditional idea as a dressier garment. With probably the bottom being the equivalent of wearing khakis and a golf shirt. We all know it dresses up well. In other words not much less than business casual.

I think less expensive and easier to wear models in non-traditional fabrics. By fabrics I mean not in tartan but also probably not in camo either. You wouldn't wear camo to an office casual environment. Jackets need to continue to be simplified. Fewer guantlet cuffs and silver/horn buttons for day wear. I was engaged in a discussion in a previous thread about whether or not a doublet was too much of a costume, I said it wasn't, but then we were talking about full dress. It is the day wear we need to tome down. I think we need to look less like Prince Charles posing for his summer pics at Balmoral than the current day outfits allow. It doesn't mean they need to disappear (I love my tweeds), just there need to be more choices that are simpler in style. The Crail design is a step in the right direction.

The last component here is wearing the kilt and who wears it. The style for mainstream is mostly there and certainly the kilts themselves are. We have so many kilt makers making non-traditional kilts that fit fine in what I am talking about here. However, if it is only those seen as outside the 9-5 mainstream by society who wear the kilt, then it will remain a garment outside the mainstream (not meant to be derogatory at all, most of my friends fall into this category).

Now as I said at the beginning when I quoted Dreadbelly if we have this discussion we must respect each others choices. We can discuss them and we can disagree but we must remember that these are our OPINIONS not facts!

[JimB]

I'm not quite sure how to answer this. I think kilts will be seen more often in more places, but I think we will see many styles.
The "tank" will always be with us as well it should be, but there are many who even now wear kilts that are "goth" or "casual" or whatever. They bear no resemblance to traditional kilts and in their context, that's ok. I think we as kilt wearers need to wear what we want, but realize that we have some responsibility to support other kilt wearers in what they want to wear.
For example....I wouldn't and shouldn't take anyone to task for wearing a goth type kilt. It's their choice. And someone shouldn't take me to task for wearing a semi-trad, or a kilt made of pseudo-tartan. It's my choice.
However...the goth kilt wearer shouldn't wear his kilt (punk style) to a office work setting because the negative reactions from that might keep a more kilt friendly policy from being put into place. Likewise, I wouldn't wear a pseudo tartan to a highland games scenario. That's the place for real tartan and I would wear my Stewart or MacGregor there. I wouldn't want to confuse the casual festival goer. That's the place for tradition.
In my opinion there are good reasons to wear all sorts of kilts depending on the context and the venue. Be wise....know the impression that you are likely to leave with others.
Be open to questions, and don't assume that just because you've heard the same question or comment 1000 times, that the question or comment wasn't sincere.
Kilts will always be in a minority, that's just the world we live in, but they will be a bit more common in my opinion, and that's a good thing.

[Rigged]

The future of kilts? A kilt for every size, age, and lifestyle.

[GMan]

Did we wear Tuxes all the time? No, we wore them when the situation warranted it.

I have "dress" Kilts for dressy situations and I have everyday Kilts for everyday wear, plus "knock" around Kilts for knocking around.

They all have their purpose, and I love ALL my Kilts.

[Kid Cossack]

[QUOTE=JimB;341084] SNIP! And someone shouldn't take me to task for wearing a semi-trad, or a kilt made of pseudo-tartan. It's my choice.
SNIP! Likewise, I wouldn't wear a pseudo tartan to a highland games scenario. That's the place for real tartan and I would wear my Stewart or MacGregor there. I wouldn't want to confuse the casual festival goer. That's the place for tradition.
QUOTE]

I'm asking this in the sense in which, I think, Chef presented it. I'm not trying to be snide or snarky, and I hope I don't come across that way. (Sometimes I just naturally SEEM pompous.)

What is a pseudo-tartan?

Do you mean a modern tartan? Such as, for instance, the Texas Bluebonnet? Or a fashion tartan, like a Burberry?

I think this is a good discussion, and I'm trying to contribute! If anyone is offended, come on down to Baghdad-on-the-Bayou and I'll stand you to a pint or a dram!

[JimB]

A pseudo-tartan is just my name for a generic plaid. They kinda look like tartan but aren't really.

[pdcorlis]

I always love it when these threads pop up. I for one hope the kilt does not become a "mainstream" male garment. The kinds of design and fabric choices necessary to create a kilt that can hang on a rack at Walmart with a $20 price tag do not excite me - and lets face it... that's "mainstream."

[Cawdorian]

Right on Phil, I reserve my kilts for events that call for wearing a kilt, highland games, highland festivals, St Andrew's Society events and Kirk'ns. Of course I am a traditionalist and wear the kilt to honor my heritage and do my part to help preserve the tradition.

[RockyR]

Just as there are different types of pants, there are different types of kilts. There are jeans, khakis, fatigue (aka Camo), dress, Tux Pants, and ripped jeans. Are these all pants? Yes. Are they all worn by the same people? No (or at least, not necessarily).

Likewise, there are different types of kilts... UK's, FK's, RK's are like "Jeans" (on the whole) or Fatigues. Union Kilts and 21st Century and USAK Solid 5 yarders both do the matching vest thing (like a suit). LOTS of places do the "full 8 yarder" thing (like a tux). SK, SWK, USAK do the Casual thing (like Khakis). UK, R Kilts (leather ones) and TRIPP do the "punk rock" thing in leather ones and cheap knock around tartan ones.

Are all the items in the first part of this post pants? Yes.
Are all the things in the 2nd paragraph kilts? Yes. are they each different from one another? Yes. SHOULD they be different from one another? You decide, but I will say this... wouldn't it be boring if they were all the same thing? How would any one company make something better if they were all the same thing? Things that are stagnant will die. Things must evolve to survive.

They all have their place. If they ALL succeed, then you'll have people being able to distinguish between the different KINDS of kilts like you have people differentiating between different types of Pants. Does anyone confuse Levis Jeans with Tux pants (except at "country western weddings"... J/K)?

[RockyR]

All that being said... do I think Kilts will ever be sold in Walmart? No (and I'll add "good GOD I HOPE not").

Do I think they'll enjoy a small surge in popularity (maybe Urban Outfitters or some such store may carry a small selection)? Possibly in a few years. We'll see how Utilikilts Wholesale program goes.

I think too many men have the "mental hurdle" that they can't get over. Their loss...