Wearing your kilt to other cultural events

[sjrapid]

Sorry this is slightly off thread topic...

A bit off topic, but amusing nonetheless...

I wore a kilt to the Harry Potter release party at a local bookstore. I was accompanying my daughter, who went as Ginny Weasley, complete with robes, wand, and Hogwarts tie. MANY people asked me what character I was supposed to be! They were all convinced there was a kilted Scotsman in the book somewhere, and they couldn't quite remember his name...

The Aberforth Dumbledore character (brother of Albus, and barman of the Hog's Head tavern) wears a kilt in Movie 5 (Order of the Phoenix). It's hard to see which tartan, but it's muted/weathered, and worn with a dark tweed day jacket.

I don't think that kilts are mentioned in the books per se, though.

Back on topic, I've had good reactions to a trad tartan tank at culturally mixed events. I live in the east end of London, where the prevailing mode of dress is probably best politely called 'casual' and left at that.

We have significant black and minority ethnic population groups here. I've been kilted with groups where the 'africana' style of dress has been worn by both sexes, and also to a full-on asian wedding. In both cases, I took care to dress smartly and co-ordinate my kilt, shirt, tie and hose, and was well received, even though from one perspective, I stood out a mile.

As others have said upthread, wearing the kilt as clothes, not as costume, and being respectful to others are the foundations.

Best regards