Why the rise in kilt popularity?

[Tetley]

For me it was discomfort. I've always had a problem with trousers. I do a great deal of fast walking and energetic dancing and trousers chafe and make me hot and sweaty in places I'd rather not be chafed, hot and sweaty.

I was bemoaning this to a kilted dancer in June and he persuaded me to try a kilt, he wears non-tartan kilt full time and that was the start. Once my first kilt arrived at the end of June, a Utilikilt, I stopped wearing trousers.

[staticsan]

My choice to wear a kilt stemmed from quite a different direction. I had a curiosity about un-bifurcated garments - specifically, skirts - and tried a few. But a straight man who isn't trying to cross-dross but is wearing a skirt isn't well received in most places. The next logical step was to a kilt.

Wade.

[MartinGrenoble]

I am sure that one reason for rising popularity is the availability of CHEAP kilts -- the ones so many forum members like to complain about.

If you can buy something cheap to see how it feels, you will go ahead and, if you like it (which, of course you will), you will then think about getting something better.

Who is going to pay hundreds for a garment they may never wear?
Who is going to risk spoiling a garment they have paid hundreds for by wearing it too often?
The more you pay, the longer the kilt will spend on its hanger.
The less you pay, the more time it will spend round your waist.
(as far as non-forum men are concerned, anyway)

Martin

[Tetley]

I am sure that one reason for rising popularity is the availability of CHEAP kilts -- the ones so many forum members like to complain about.

If you can buy something cheap to see how it feels, you will go ahead and, if you like it (which, of course you will), you will then think about getting something better.

Who is going to pay hundreds for a garment they may never wear?
Who is going to risk spoiling a garment they have paid hundreds for by wearing it too often?
The more you pay, the longer the kilt will spend on its hanger.
The less you pay, the more time it will spend round your waist.
(as far as non-forum men are concerned, anyway)

Martin

That is a very good point.

[McClef]

Martin makes a moot point.

But one of the main reasons the cheap ones are complained about is how they are presented and marketed - that is nothing to do with kilt snobbery.

Choice through education is rather the aim.

[Howard Clark]

Speaking as a Scot in Scotland I really can't see what all the fuss is about when it comes to the kilt. Perhaps it is because we have a "national confidance" to wear,or not, the kilt when and where we choose and also without the added worry of all this carry on, over what colour matches with your hose,tie,girlfriend's frock,or should the kilt be worn at this height or that height.
I mean no offence here,but until I came to this website I had no idea that the rest of the world get so wound up over wearing the kilt.

I think this is a good point too, Jock. Of course there are no ignorant fools giggling at you or pointing at the man in the skirt, either.

Americans in particular seem to enjoy nit-picking each other about their little details, especially if it is something of another culture.

I make a living making Japanese style swords, for serious practitioners of Japanese martial arts. They are a substantial investment, and so only serious practitioners are going to buy them, for the most part. Anyway, some times Americans who can read a bit of old style kanji will criticize my characters as being drawn wrong. Never once has anyone of Asian origin done this, and they can all read it just fine.

My point is that we take a bit of someone else's culture, then obsess over it in small detail ways that make the natives scratch their heads in wonder. Me too, sometimes.

I mostly wear a kilt because I like it.

[Cherub]

I can't speak to the popularity issue but for myself i started because My Spouse and i love Renfest's and i hate drawstring Pants and hose. So i was liiking for somthing else to wear. The Kilt idea was the first and after wearing my UK for the first time i was converted i love the freedom. My wearing is limited by my location (bible belt canada) but since my daughter is in Highland dance i am getting to wear it more. and Any time i go to Toronto i wear it all the time and no one bats an eye, May parents don't understand it but they accept it.

[Jock Scot]

Thank you Howard. Having a sympathetic and mainly knowledgeable home team does make things a lot easier for us.

[Jaggy thistle]

Herein Scotland I think the reason is twofold 1 the sucsess of the Scottish National Party 2 the availability of cheaper kilts for casual wear

[rollerboy_1979]

Comfort, rebellion, practicality in the forge shop. You cannot stay protected and ventilated as well in trousers in the forge shop. Protected slightly better, yes, your shins and ankles are better covered. But there is no ventilation in trousers. I am working on practical grieves (or gators) to repel welding flux when forge welding. Other than that one exception (or when it is really -20f or less) I have little use for trousers at this time. I guess hunting would be another exception. Multiflora rose and kilts do not mix well at all. Tried it, it did not work. I ended up with the kilt tangled badly in the rose bush, and thorns in places I did not want them.

Ah, yes, only an Iowan would know about this noxious weed, planted by farmers as a windbreak, and went on to become the scourge of Iowa! I have in-laws in Iowa and just returned from a visit. I haven't heard about Multiflora Rose for awhile, so I was amused to see it in your post.

How does one prevent small burn holes in the front of his wool kilt when working a forge? Is that what you mean by gators? Is it a kind of apron or shield? I'm intrigued. I could not picture myself wearing one of my expensive wool tanks while working in such a hostile environment (no disrespect intended).

As for the new popularity of the kilt in the US.........I credit the Internet, and, fashion pioneers like us! We're the ones who had the nerve to wear this fascinating garment in public. Had we not had the gonads to do it, they would not have caught on. So, each and every one of you who wears your kilt regularly, contributes to the popularity of the garment. I saw them, fell in love with the look, and got bitten by the bug.......that's how it happens.