A question for our Irish kiltie brothers

[Chef]

I just think that with the above historical statements that you can accept the kilt as part of the Irish culture since it has been adopted for over 100 years in Ireland regardless if it was first fashioned in the Highlands or not.

Interesting how many of the arguments against the historical aspects of kilts and tartans in Scotland are dismissed because the modern kilts and family tartans are only a 150 or so years old.

Other than the saffron kilt, which is widely recognised as an Irish garment I don't believe there is much of a cultural link between Ireland and the kilt, particulalry if you ask the people of Ireland. With all the times I have worn a kilt in Ireland, I have never been asked if it represents my Irish heritage from a stranger. I am always recognised as a Scot and in the US the only Americans who want to know if I am Irish are the ones who don't know the difference between the two.

My personal opinion is that the modern push in Irish kilts is from the marketing departments of kilt retailers trying to drum up more business since until recently the use of kilts has been by such a small group of people and not thought of as a form of national dress.

[McClef]

Tradition is one of those interesting words in that is there really a fixed period of time that something is done before it can be called "traditional."?

New traditions are being created from older Celtic ones and that's surely a good sign.

[porrick]

Tradition is one of those interesting words in that is there really a fixed period of time that something is done before it can be called "traditional."?

New traditions are being created from older Celtic ones and that's surely a good sign.

I totally agree with this statement.

Just to push the point: the traditional kind of trousers for (also) Norwegian teen-agers is blue-jeans, made popular by the import of Levi's some decades ago. Blue jeans is by many considered traditional work clothes.
The USA is through Levi's and other similar companies regarded as the home/origin of the mentioned garment.

I don't think there are any issues about non-Americans wearing the aforementioned garment.

Who has a right to claim a garment design can not be adopted in other places than its place of origin?

Today, blue jeans are as Norwegian as American in my country.

I just wonder...

[flairball]

Still more good replies popping up. Thanks to all who contributed. I'm glad to see this has become a thought provoking thread, and not a bunch of bashing.

Porrick, I understand your position about Levi's being basically universal now, and cultures adopting elements of other cultures, but that is not the case here. Levi's have been widely adopted in Norway. Levi's have also been widely adopted in Ireland, but the kilt has not. So, how does it have any cultural significance? I'm not implying that Irish/ Irish Americans shouldn't wear it. I'm just trying to understand the cultural connection for those who wear it for cultural reasons.

Anyway, Eveyone should wear a kilt. Reasons are not needed to look sharp, and be comfortable.

[Colin]

Still more good replies popping up. Thanks to all who contributed. I'm glad to see this has become a thought provoking thread, and not a bunch of bashing.

I completely agree. Despite claims of overmoderation from us moderators, I don't think we do too much at all. We have a great membership built on mutual interest and respect.