Kilt Etiquette

[SteveB]

What he said.

[Nighthawk]

Personally, I either go kilted or in a ripped, oil stained pair of jeans- which is the only pair of pants I own. Make up your own mind.

[Tribal]

I think, as has been mentioned, it's case-by-case. I probably wouldn't wear a kilt to a funeral unless it would be pretty much expected. I think everyone who wears kilts should have at least one regular suit (and I'm willing to say that everyone who owns a suit should also own a kilt...) simply because it's the national dress in America when it comes to social functions on that level and deviating from that is an exception that requires a good reason. To my mind, a good reason is "Poor old Charlie always went kilted," "Charlie's widow thinks Charlie would have been honored to have you come kilted," or the like. "It's my preferred under-the-waist garment" isn't a good reason in this case. Your preferences here are circumscribed by the dictates of society and are more like "Black? Dark gray? Striped? Solid?" than "trousers or skirt?"

[rodandy]

The only place I can think of where the wearing of the kilt would be wholly inappropriate, regardless of the circumstances, would be a nudist colony.

On the contrary, you have to wear something until you GET to the nudist colony, and the kilt comes off much easier than a pair of trousers when you get out of the car...

By the way, "nudist colony" isn't used much anymore, they are mostly referred to as nudist clubs or resorts.

[McClef]

Very good MOR!

[Phil]

Living in Scotland nothing seems more natural than wearing a kilt to a funeral. I would dress as plainly as possible, though, as it is not an occasion for dressing up. Kilt, white shirt, black tie, tweed jacket, plain hose and black or brown brogues (preferably not gillies). I can understand from some of the comments that kilt-wearing might be regarded as odd where you are but I am very strongly of the opinion that you are who you are not what you wear.

[Kilt_Noob]

Completely agreed.

However in a society where pants are expected on a man, then in certain social situations the kilt could indeed be a distraction that does not fit into the host's intended atmosphere. Hopefully our efforts as a kilt wearing community will increase the commonality and acceptance of the kilt, and indeed other options besides pants, as clothing for men that won't be a distraction that could lead to awkward situations - after all, as we all know, they're just kilts!

To the OP: I think that in delicate situations as funerals or anything that isn't simply casual, you just have to use your judgment. If the host knows you often wear kilts, then maybe it would not be a problem. But if the host themselves would be surprised and even possibly "weirded out", then you might wish to refrain from wearing a kilt

sums up what I feel about it too.Good luck.

[PiobBear]

What is the etiquette for a wearing a kilt to such events as weddings, funerals, graduations, etc.? Is it customary to ask the host, bride or groom? Do you just "show up as is"?

Is there certain attire to wear to a funeral or wedding such as a jacket or tie along with the kilt?

I ask these questions because my wife asked if I would be wearing my kilt to the funeral. I opted not to so as not to create any bad situation or mis understanding with the family.

As a piper, I attend dozens of events all through the year kilted. I suggest:

WEDDINGS: Ask the bride; it's her big day. Don't bother asking the groom; he lost control a long time ago. Generally it'll be a non-issue unless you're a member of the immediate wedding party, as long as you're properly dressed for the occasion. Kilted or not, don't attend a big three-ring horse-and-pony show wedding in the big cathedral downtown dressed for an informal luau-style beach wedding.

FUNERALS: At a minimum, a decent shirt, tie, & brogues, kilted or trousered. A jacket's even better. There's nothing inherently wrong with wearing a proper kilt, properly accessorized. IMHO Utilikilts and their ilk are simply not appropriate for such situations; they're more like the kilted equivalent of blue jeans. Neither wear a waistcoat, Prince Charlie & bow tie unless you really expect others to show up in tuxedos and ballgowns.
Aside from twits who can't remember to silence their cell phones (invariably, at every single event I pipe, at least one goes off at the least appropriate moment), this is one of my all-time greatest pet peeves; folks who slouch up to "pay their respects" looking like they've just gotten out of bed and are now on their way to change the oil on a tractor. It's truly beyond my comprehension.

GRADUATIONS: Same as funerals.

DINNERS, ETC: Generally, the dress will be stated on the invitation. When in doubt, ask the host. Again, there's nothing inherently wrong with wearing a proper kilt, properly accessorized, but showing up in a Utilikilt-type garment with a Guinness T-shirt when the invitation clearly stated "jacket & tie requested" displays a shocking degree of disrespect (to the point of outright contempt) for the host. If such social conventions impinge upon your sense of personal freedom and self-determination, then don't attend.

Within reason, when in doubt you're usually going to do better by overdressing just a wee bit. If all the other gents in attendance are in polo shirts and shirt sleeves, you can always loose the coat and tie; if they're all in coats and ties and you show up in a polo shirt, there's really not much you can do at that point.

Just curious if there are ever any events where it is NOT ok to wear a kilt or some fashion there of....

Bungee jumping comes to mind, but to each their own...

[JolyStNicholas]

I agree with Rex and Phil 100 %. Men should choose and dress accordingly!

[campbell]

My family is poor and we cannot afford kilt jackets. We wear Campbell tartan (which most people call Black Watch) to funerals. Wear your clan tartan or the tartan you usually dress up in (Royal Stewart, or Irish National, etc.). In winter we wear:
-v-neck sweater
-white shirt
-solid black tie (www.solidcolorneckties.com)
-black leather sporran or brown leather sporran
-kilt
-hose (any color)
-black flashes
-brogues (wing tip shoes)

In summer we wear a v-neck sweater vest, or shirt and tie.

For funerals, I was taught that you wear your normal day wear kilt with a black tie and black flashes.

As far as weddings is concerned, the kilt is only worn when the grrom is kilted. If the groom is not wearing a kilt, you should wear a suit to the wedding.