The dichotomy: the "Edgy" old guy just looks silly

[CMcG]

<snip>
I've been thinking about that. Me...50-something... BALD, no less...and a camouflage kilt with boots. Do some people see that as weird? ....as in kinda like the "old guy" trying to look all "sick" and trendy. Sometimes that just looks silly.

Not that I care, eh? I'll wear what I want as long as it suits my taste, doesn't draw a crowd and doesn't break any municipal regulations, but what's your take on it? What's your take on the "old guy" (anything over about 30) and the contemporary NON-TARTAN (like UK's Amerikilts, Alt.kilt, X-kilt) kilt thing?

There is probably a big difference between the opinions of the kilted cognoscenti and the great bifurcated masses...

For myself, I like modern kilts in general. I don't care what age someone is as long as they wear their modern kilt well. I think it is an edgy, masculine garment and deserves a look that goes with that sensibility. Of course people should wear what they want, but I'm also entitled to my own sartorial opinion

I bet that many "regular" people think modern non-tartan kilts are weird in general, but that they would be less judgmental towards the "follies of youth" and an older guy should "know better." I don't like the idea of age appropriateness and far prefer attitude appropriateness: if you've got it, flaunt it!

A tartan kilt has the benefit of being able to claim cultural heritage, even when worn in a contemporary style. Hard as it may be to accept, the following picture summarizes some people's attitude
:

See also this comic strip "This is what I think of when I see a man wearing a Utilikilt"

[Jock Scot]

Well at a tad over three score years and ten most of you are mere whipper-snappers! I have never worn a pair of jeans, or a T shirt. I have never been a slave to fashion although I might have a piece of clothing that is just in, or just out of fashion and on the rare occasion might even be in fashion. Do I care what others think? Well yes I do, to a certain extent, I certainly have no wish to put my friends in an awkward situation and I have left behind the thought of dressing for effect or to shock, many years ago. There are times when we all have to put away individualistic thoughts for the greater good and that may be boringly responsible, but necessary. However for the majority of my life I have resisted this rather drab idea of acting my age and following the multitude.

Alan, you just carry on carrying on.

[CopperNGold]

Very well-put, JockScot. Words to live by!

[Whidbey78]

Well, I'm not up to that half-century mark yet. I'm thirty...something...hang on...I have to look at my license since I don't keep track anymore. I don't want to do the math, so we'll just say I'm between thirty and dead, and probably look closer to dead. Bald. A little pudgy. Hairy. Grey creeping into my beard. When I get out of bed it sounds like someone is stepping on bubblewrap. I limp. Buzzards follow me around. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Long story short, I'm not that old, but I'm aging like a banana.

I get more odd looks in a non-tartan kilt than I do when wrapped in something more traditional. Sometimes I wonder if it's because I'm obviously not in my twenties. I wonder if maybe I'm too old for it. Then I wonder if maybe I should just run with the idea. That must be it! I'm doing it half-a$$! I can't just wear a modern kilt--I need to look like a cross between Johnny Rotten, Dogg the Bounty Hunter and some dude from Mad Max in a kilt! Maybe I need to sport some tattoos to better fit the part. That should work. I'll get a nose ring too! Yeah, and I'll grow a mohawk! A foot tall mohawk! And dye it bright blue! Then I suddenly remember that a mohawk requires having hair on top of the head and only and "old guy" would ever say "sport some tattoos to better fit the part." Then I notice that I'm dragging three feet of toilet paper stuck to my boot heel and I got all worked up about nothing.

When someone, young or old, says that maybe you're too old to wear that thing, just echo the wise words of Joe DIrt:

They don't really mean what they say. They just got their own issues and whatnot. Alls I gotta do is keep bein' a good person, no matter what. Good things will come my way. Cause I'm Alan H!!

[Macman]

Great thread, Alan! It made me think. I'm 56, but I just can't get my head around that. I think of myself, delusionally, as in my thirties. I wear age appropriate clothes sometimes, but I usually don't. I'm certainly not edgy; I buy clothes and wear them until they wear out, so I'm out of style most of the time. When I wear a non-traditional kilt (and I wear them similarly to you), I never really thought that I might look silly just because of my age. Now I'm wondering!

[Alan H]

I am kind of amused by the number of people posting in this thread to encourage me or somehow make me feel better about myself in regards to this issue.

I'm doing just fine. I think I'm reasonably polite until repeatedly presented with good reasons NOT to be. I smile at small children, am kind to dogs and cats, and treat women with respect and as my equal. I can wear a tie and jacket at the symphony or sweat like a pig and pose for a gansta photograph in the gym. If I happen to feel like wearing a non-tartan kilt, I wear one.

As Macman said, I buy clothes and wear them, mostly, until they wear out. "Fashion" makes me retch. I don't have a "style" and find the concept revolting. I put on clothes in the morning and go about my business.

No need to try to make me feel like I'm OK even though I'm 54 years old! I just asked this question to spark some discussion. It's nice to see some life in the contemporary kilt forum, again.

[rondo]

It's nice to see some life in the contemporary kilt forum, again.

This is what I'm thinking...^ let's keep this forum kicking.

Rondo

[kiltedwolfman]

Someone asked me once if I thought I was too old to act and dress the way I do, not that I have any kind of Peter Pan syndrome or similar thing, but I certianly do live my life having as much fun and being as child like as I can. I watch cartoons, read the occasional comic; er graphic novel; and I still like going out into the woods with my bud and building some kind of fort! Of course I also do all of this kilted and that just adds to the experience.

The last time someone accused me of not acting my age I quickly asked them just what exactly would acting my age be? I then informed them that at my age I have spent 20 years in the armed forces, served during combat operations, married a perfect lady ( although don't tell her that I'll never live admitting it down ), spent 30 years studying and teaching martial arts, and all the while maintaining and exceptionally sunny disposition! I add further to that by stating that at " my age" I should feel happy to do whatever it is I please since I've been lucky enough to make it this far.

If growing older means that we have to stop enjoying our lives, that we have to refrain from finding fun and enjoyment in all those little and sometimes odd things that we did when we were in our twenties ( I'm thinking fart jokes here hehehe yes farting is still funny!) and that we need to comform to some "now that your in your beyond your 30's you must be like this" mold, then I promise to never fit in and be kilted while doing so.

It is certainly possible to be a distinguished, honourable, relaible and morally forthright person and still be a kid at heart regardless of how old you are. Now I think I'm going to go to Toy's R Us and buy a new Transformers figure!

[Elf]

Yes, dichotomy. Just last weekend again, a late teen asked me where to get a kilt like mine. It was quite the surprise when I started wearing kilts, to suddenly be "Edgy" for the first time in my life. The bigger issue is just what is "age appropriate?" Just consider maybe we are indeed acting age appropriate and the masses have unquestioningly accepted a false stereotype. (reminder to self: be kind to them anyway)

[Douglas]

Well I am approaching middle age (I'll be 83 this month) and I wear a kilt almost every day. Both tartan (thought I'm not a Scot) and Utilikilts. They are just comfortable clothing and I appreciate comfort.