Difference between leather and traditional kilt

[CMcG]

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.

Unfortunately, the reaction of people to a tartan kilt worn with traditional accoutrement is not always and in all places as you describe. For example, I was specifically asked by a good friend to wear a kilt to his wedding. I was in the wedding party and everyone else was wearing p@nts. His mother had some harsh words for me at the rehearsal about the kilt and and then she didn't speak or look at me for the rest of the next two days. Perhaps it might have been worse if I had been wearing a leather kilt but, symbol of heritage or not, she was basically offended at my lack of bifurcation

And yes, the image above of the punk bagpiper is definitely a costume. He's a street performer and is, successfully, trying to draw attention to himself.

[kc8ufv]

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:

Is that steel cable on his drones?

[Lyle1]

Is that steel cable on his drones?

I think it is steel cable or tight chain links, and he has spikes decorating the air bag/bladder (I have no idea what the proper word is). He has certainly thought his outfit out, down to the silver nail polish. It isn't something I would wear, even when I was his age, but he has done a good job of pulling it all together.

[DWFII]

And yes, the image above of the punk bagpiper is definitely a costume. He's a street performer and is, successfully, trying to draw attention to himself.

Critical in all this is that we, in this discussion, don't have to be critical or pass judgement on the punk kiltie.

But I would draw everyone's attention to the faces of those behind him...from the little girl to the adults.

What do you see in their faces? Whatever it is...I think it is a big stretch to think it is "acceptance."

Now let's assume...and I suspect rightfully so...that what we see is fear or disdain. And let's further stipulate that all intolerance is fear based.

The question that then arises is "is he aware of it?" And "does he care?" "Is that the reaction he's looking for?"

Either or any, it raise additional questions about his willingness to accommodate or "play nice" with his neighbors.

Point I'm trying to make is that whether from defiance, rebellion or, the more ubiquitous, self-absorption, to the extent that he is indifferent, perhaps his neighbors have some justification for that fear.

In any social setting where a person is a newcomer, or the "odd man out" as who should say, such social tensions can be easily ameliorated with a smile, with a friendly attitude, with a willingness to meet people halfway. Communities will accept the "stranger" once he has proven himself to be one of them...and/or sympathetic to their concerns.

As long as he holds himself apart and aloof, however, he will be perceived as a threat.

[Lyle1]

I think all who wear a kilt should know what they face

I think that is true. However, everyone has opinions, and there will always be some one who will have a negative opinion about you, your clothing, your politics, etc. So, each of us needs to decide what opinions we care about, and what opinions we have a good chuckle over, and what opinions we simply blow off, and get on with our lives.

[Monkey@Arms]

Either or any, it raise additional questions about his willingness to accommodate or "play nice" with his neighbors.

Point I'm trying to make is that whether from defiance, rebellion or, the more ubiquitous, self-absorption, to the extent that he is indifferent, perhaps his neighbors have some justification for that fear.

In any social setting where a person is a newcomer, or the "odd man out" as who should say, such social tensions can be easily ameliorated with a smile, with a friendly attitude, with a willingness to meet people halfway. Communities will accept the "stranger" once he has proven himself to be one of them...and/or sympathetic to their concerns.

As long as he holds himself apart and aloof, however, he will be perceived as a threat.

I'm sorry that you seem to think that any nonconformity is a threat.



Best regards,

Jake

[DWFII]

I'm sorry that you seem to think that any nonconformity is a threat.



Best regards,

Jake

I'm sorry you don't read real well.

Nothing I said suggests in any way that I feel threatened by non-conformity.
To the contrary I made several remarks indicating that it's a non-issue for me.

More, my whole lifestyle and expressed philosophy of life is something of a puzzle
for a good many people who make a great show of non-conformity but haven't the
faintest idea of how to actually be true to themselves.

But because I'm blessed I'm all the more open to the relationships and the
interactions all around me. The only people who I feel any reservation about
whatsoever are those who choose ignorance as a way of life.

[piperdbh]

So this thread has gone from the OP saying, "I wore a leather kilt and a lot of folks liked it," to members lecturing each other on how tolerant they should be.
From merriam-webster.com:

tol·er·ance
noun \ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s, ˈtäl-rən(t)s\

1: capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina
2 a : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own
b : the act of allowing something : toleration
3: the allowable deviation from a standard; especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece
4 a (1) : the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult especially with repeated use or exposure <developed a tolerance to painkillers>; also : the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen
(2) : relative capacity of an organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor
b : the maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food

The debate over "tolerance" always baffles me, because it's a self-defeating argument. When Person A tries to tell Person B that he/she should be more "tolerant", then Person A is demonstrating his/her "intolerance" for the views/opinions of Person B.

Let's get back to Jimmy and the fun he had at the party and the attention he received from his friends. There's enough disagreement and "intolerance" in our "real" lives, without having to fight with each other here.
In the words of the great philosopher Rosco P. Coltrane, "I'm gone."

[seanachie]

Robert Pel had on his Twitter feed today that Graham Greene (Academy Award Nominee, Dancing With Wolves) stopped into his shop today. I emailed Robert and he said Graham has a hemp kilt now and will be getting a leather kilt in the very near future. I think some of the stereo types associated with men wearing leather kilts get chucked out the window now....

[Riverkilt]

How cool is that!! He's one of my favorite actors - Pow Wow Highway, Skins, some great performances. Isn't he in Christmas in the Clouds too with Wes Studi who does a bit in full kilted turnout?



Not leather - but might have been an influence....never know.