Wearing the kilt...

[RossCroft]

Oh, I don't know about that. Mine is just over 4 yards and I am able to arrange it to give me pouches a'plenty!

I've seen speculation that the feilidh-mhor could be anywhere from 3 to 6 yards in length (and certainly there was no "standard" length -- people likely used what they had). However, since all the earliest tailored kilts we know of contained around 4 yards, and these were the direct development out of the feilidh-beag, which was just the lower half of the feilidh-mhor, I have to assume 4 yards was the average length for those, as well.

M

you're probably right, six yards is just my preference for the great kilt. then again, i have more money to spend than the average highlander did 400+ years ago. (don't we all!) there's probably always going to be disagreement on what was actually used and when, but i appreciate your postings. they're obviously based on research and as one who tries to be historically accurate i think that is important. when we're at games our guild tries to educate people on highland life and ways and accuracy is critical. thanks.

[Skweres]

Of course we don't know for certain, because they are no longer around to ask after 400+ years

what about duncan macleod!? cant wait for that movie!

[Arlen]

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.

[Kiltman]

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.

A very worth-while two pence. My reading of the highlanders is that they did like fluff, but found little opportunity in their world to indulge in it. Certainly they dressed-up to honor certain people and events.

[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.

[Splash_4]

You could go about it the way I did. I started showing up a church social functions kilted. Once everyone had the chance to see me kilted and realized it is what I wore every week, it allowed me to show up to church kilted with no other impact.

[Dirk Skene]

You could go about it the way I did. .....

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

[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.....

[Chaplain Harris]

An interesting topic for the church and kilt. The truth is that I did wear it for a communion meditation. I my an illustration about how Scots have identification with their kilts. I explained the tartan and it's significance. I really kept it to how it's their idenity of whom they belong. I drew the significance that we need to know that we were bought and paid for and we ought to wear His tartan on our heart, because we are his.

I did get a lot of comments, I got a little grief from some friends. However, it was acceptable and there are some new people who joined who refer to me as the guy in the kilt. I haven't worn it since, however, I think their might be a church event or two that I might go kilted. BTW- there are two others who wear kilts at our church as well, we thought about all going to the same events kilted so that it doesn't seem OUT OF PLACE. I guess its just a persepctive thing.

Well, gotta go

CBH

[Raptor]

I'm self-employed also, so most days I work kilted. I do miss the really windy days however, but that's more due to innate modesty than any other reason. I wear the kilt because its a: comfortable, b: practical, c: looks great even when worn casually, & d: I'm a rabid supporter of my clan, & it's a great excuse to espouse their cause when asked what tartan it is!