Difference between leather and traditional kilt

[Jimmy]

Where to next?

Sadly Jimmy I suspect that if perceptions and knowledge about the kilt in Scotland have not improved and widened by now, then I really and genuinely doubt that they ever will. Particularly if the antics of some Scottish football supporters just recently are anything to go by, learning tolerance and possessing a willingness to be more open minded is not "our" strong suit.

I agree with you here about the narrow mindedness of some of our countrymen and how they have embarassed our nation with their bigoted views in recent months.
How Scotland travelled the journey form the period of the Enlightenment when we were the centre of forward thinking to the darkness of the shallow thinking of the last century and into this one is a mystery to me. What is about Scots that can be so charming but so backward at times yet from the point of view of the modern kilt we were the trendsetters and taught the world about alternative dress

[DWFII]

At one point in time, there was a country of strong and fiercely independent people with their own distinct culture and language who, because of necessity or isolation evolved a fairly singular style of men's garments.

Centuries of struggle against an imposed culture deepened their sense of identity and established in the minds of their neighbors and their ancestors an image that persists today.

The general public..almost universally...accepts that image, so powerful is it.

But it is a relatively specific image regardless its absolute authenticity. It is an image that embodies all that fierce independence, all the hardships, all the struggles and even, to a great extent a lost language and culture.

It is an image with a certain nobility.

Those who seek to emulate it do so at their own peril. To the extent that one falls short...either through ignorance or indifference or even defiance...the image becomes distorted.

It should not be surprising that the general public...and perhaps the case can be made that it is an unthinking public...regard people, who fail to see and honour the connection with history and culture of that unique image, as poseurs. Of one sort or another. Or social misfits.

Personally, I have no opinion as to the motives of people who wear hemp or leather or canvas UGs. I've seen a lot of weird stuff in 65 years and people come in all flavours...even pickle.

But I have even money that the general public does not view these people with quite as accepting and benevolent an eye as people here would hope or assume.

[Jock Scot]

Wise words there DWF11 and no, I won't take you on with the bet!

[Cowher]

snip...... But I have even money that the general public does not view these people with quite as accepting and benevolent an eye as people here would hope or assume.

I started a tread in this section of XMTS about what people really think about us. It wasn't to say "oh no! They don't like us!". Rather it was to illustrate your point here. Many unkilted people are extremely intolerant of kilts in general. Some that I quoted in my tread even judged the person based solely of the fact that they wore a kilt.
I think all who wear a kilt should know what they face

[Father Bill]

I started a tread in this section of XMTS about what people really think about us. It wasn't to say "oh no! They don't like us!". Rather it was to illustrate your point here. Many unkilted people are extremely intolerant of kilts in general. Some that I quoted in my tread even judged the person based solely of the fact that they wore a kilt.
I think all who wear a kilt should know what they face

Cowher, my friend . . . it is impossible to legislate either intelligence or tolerance, and sadly the average is often not high on the streets or on the 'Net.

[CMcG]

I'd still like to know what the OP wears with his leather kilt?

Here is another image to further show the range of possible styles:

[DWFII]

One has to ask however, whether it is really intolerance or a sometimes justifiable wariness of people who are displaying their unwillingness to fit in or accommodate themselves to the society they live in.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we very deliberately send a message to those around us by what we wear...by what we choose to wear. It's a form of non-verbal communication, in the exact same way as an octopus turning colour.

If we say "I am not like you." If we say ""fear me." Even if all we are saying is "Look at me--I am special", we are creating boundaries between ourselves and those around us.

And suspicion. And mistrust.

But who is being intolerant and who is just being in-your-face antisocial?

We all wish it were different and we all wish people weren't so protective of their own communities and their own children, their comforts, lives and rights.

But then we all dream of Camelot and Brigadoon, too.

[Father Bill]

DWFII - you hit the nail on the head. People always wonder "why" when someone is different from what is perceived to be the norm. That doesn't mean they're wrong, but they should be prepared to have that kind of wary response.

[CMcG]

One has to ask however, whether it is really intolerance or a sometimes justifiable wariness of people who are displaying their unwillingness to fit in or accommodate themselves to the society they live in.

<snip>

Unfortunately, this is all too true. The issue of accommodating oneself to the society one lives in is precisely why I tend to reserve my kilt wearing for events where it is accepted and/or expected. It is also why I tend to dress traditionally when I go to such events.

The kilt (traditional OR modern) is not normal, everyday wear in my neck of the woods. It is not even particularly common for special events. There have been numerous reports of narrow minded belligerence directed towards the rabble for wearing the kilt out and about. And that is only from the people who are rude enough to voice their opinions, let alone what other people think...

It is sad but true that people stereotype and often attach negative judgements to people who dress differently. Having had derogatory remarks made about me and my perceived gender for wearing a proper traditional kilt at an appropriate event makes me all too aware of this

That's not to say that I've had a majority of bad reactions. I've just had enough to make me sympathetic.

[Azrobert]

I am fairly new to this forum, so this may have been discussed, or over-discussed, previously. It is my opinion that society generally differentiates between what is perceived as "legitimate" cultural dress and costume. A man seen wearing a tartan kilt, with the usual accoutrement will be perceived as Scottish and honoring his heritage. But once you change the basic character of the garment, you change the perception. A leather kilt becomes a skirt and is seen as an attempt to cross dress or otherwise flaunt the norms. The gentleman above with the leather kilt, the regimental sporran, etc is not wearing something to honor his heritage. He is wearing a costume. Costumes are worn to gain attention. If you don't wish to gain attention, good or bad. Don't go out in costume.