Wearing the kilt...

[beowulf67]

Hey That is an idea. It just so happens my church puts on The Memphis Italian Festival the first weekend of June. It is a big time event. I could start there

Hmmmm, sounds like a good excuse for a road trip.....

[Portland Kilt Ninja]

I wear mine because it's comfortable, pretty warm, even during winter, and because I like how it looks. I don't know what, if any clan we belong to, but once I figure it out, I wanna get our tartan.

[ScottEPooh]

Not to hijack, but that's what I'm in the middle of doing right now! I started by wearing my Black UK Workman's to different church functions, and then started wearing my SK Wallace to things like our Men's Retreat (where more logical to dress like a man?) and other social functions. I haven't worn it to Sunday services yet (for much the same reason as Dirk), but definitely plan on it in the future. Especially once I get my new kilt!!!

[JimB]

Actually I think there are two conversations going on here.
As to the wearing the kilt to church thing...I wear mine to church about once a month. Maybe the first time was a little distracting because people had known me for some time and they saw it as unusual. Now, it's no big deal. Folks in my church come in their "Sunday best" so I am sure to wear it as a dressy outfit with tie, etc. so that in my view of things I am showing proper respect. That may not be other's viewpoint, but it helps to make the kilt fit in in my church enviornment.
Right now even the kids and teens in church act oblivious to it.

[Nick]

You know, speaking as someone who wears my kilt for comfort and for family heritage and as someone who has done a lot of study on this, the old highlanders kinda did like fluff. It was a status symbol to have more colourful tartan and shiny buttons etc.
Yes, they did like to be practical and were sensible people, but it doesn't mean they didn't like to dress up because lots of these new 'Traditional' parts of the outfit were invented.

Just my two pence.

I think the rich and the noble in general, regardless of time and place, have liked to show off through conspicuous consumption.

One story I heard about the evolution from great kilt to little kilt: Blacksmiths in Lochaber would strip off their greatkilts while working because of the heat, and a visiting dignitary (I've heard it as specifically Queen Victoria, or just a general "dignitary") was offended, so one of the men in charge made a kilt with only the lower half and sewed in the pleats.

Now, the historical accuracy of this is pretty suspect, of course. I like the story because it revolves around blacksmiths and, well, I am one. And I have unpinned the upper part of my greatkilt and let it hang behind me while smithing several times because yes, it does get really hot! So that part at least could be true. I suspect what really happened was much more subtle and complex.