What is the future of the Kilt?

**Erisianmonkey** · 7th March 07, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Dreadbelly

Men, monkeys, and occasionally Wacko Warner, no?

Don't know what to say the monkeys won't do!

I guess I should have said designed for a male.

**Dreadbelly** · 7th March 07, 02:46 PM

That Monday morning when the milk was spilt
There was this monkey in a tartan kilt
He lifted his pleats and what did I see
One little tail wiggling with glee
Don't know what to say the monkeys wont do
(I didn't know your ribbon was blue)
Don't know what to say the monkeys wont do

Edit.

Hello Nurse!

**Raphael** · 7th March 07, 02:50 PM

If we are to debate the definition of kilt every 2 months, there will be no future for the kilt. Just wear what ever that strikes your fancy.

**Aggie** · 7th March 07, 03:11 PM

Since forum rules indicate that threads or "topics not related to kilts" may be deleted, it is up to the forum staff to decide what a kilt is. If it is not a kilt topic or related to kilts the staff will let us all know.

**Colin** · 7th March 07, 03:21 PM

The reason I haven't locked it (I don't think we delete threads to often) is that I voiced my opinion in the Tripp thread. It would be unfair of me to be the one to police it at this point.

Here is how I see it. The traditional kilt has survived for centuries and will continue to survive and be worn be thousands of people. The newer versions of kilts may fall into the class of "kilt", but their future is not tied to the traditional kilt any longer (if it ever was) as they are finding their own niche markets. It's up to the people buying the entry level kilts, the tweaked kilts, the goth kilts, the utility kilts, etc,etc,etc to decide what the future of those kilts ends up being.

I know what the future of the kilt style I wear holds.

**bikercelt1** · 7th March 07, 04:24 PM

I believe that the topic at hand was "what is the future of the kilt"? It seems to me that whatever introduces a person to wearing a kilt and convinces them to continue to purchase additional kilts is a good thing. When I began wearing kilts I tried several garments that I no longer even consider to be kilts because I didn't want to spend a fortune without knowing what I was getting into. Now I am more than willing to spend whatever it takes to get the quality of Kilt and ancillary clothing that I've come to know and enjoy. If I hadn't had the chance to start with those substandard garments I might not have gotten to this point.

Last year I found myself myself being verbally assaulted for wearing my "utlilcrap" on St. Patrick's day. The sanctimonious buffoon has one kilt that he wears about six times a year (and yes, I do know that for a fact). This kind of high and mighty attitude and the fearful "skirt" comments of insecure men who have never tried wearing a kilt will have a far grreater chilling effect on the future of the kilt than a cheap garment in a goth clothing department can ever have. After all, if the kid buyiong a Tripp kilt likes it he will probably graduate to the real thing, If he doesn't like it or can't stand up to the guff he'll soon leave it hanging in the back of the closet. Either way, it can't hurt us and may in fact help us.

The future of kilt wearing may well hinge on cheap kilts as an entry point for some folks. I say let's give them encouragement and advice to move foreward.

Jamie

**RockyR** · 7th March 07, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by bikercelt1

The future of kilt wearing may well hinge on cheap kilts as an entry point for some folks. I say let's give them encouragement and advice to move foreward.

This is exactly the point that Steven V. (UK), Robert (R-Kilts), Steve (FK), Bear (Bear kilts), Me (USAK) etc. talk about... the more people wearing kilts, the more people see kilts, the more accepted they become, the more people have the guts to wear them. If someone's wearing something that's a "lessor quality" kilt (in your opinion), don't insult them... educate them and / or talk to them. They may have a "tank" at home. They may be alergic to wool. They may be a poor college kid that spent his last $100 on the only kilt he could afford. They may be the owner of the company's kilt their wearing!

While all of the people mentioned above have a STAKE in whether or not kilts succeed on a "mass market scale", this is a market with a pretty frickin' open door policy. I've shared dinner with Robert (RK), Barb T and Steve (FK). I've had Steven V. (UK) sleep on my couch. I've sent people to Mike Butler (AK) and Jerry (SWK). I've gotten several customers from Jeff's (PK) website referrals. How many other industries can say that company owners interact like that?

Bottom line... we're all in it to have fun, make a living (not to be RICH, but to have a few dollars in our pockets) AND promote kilt wearing, even if we don't have what the person is looking for. The more people wear kilts, the more people want to wear them. It's a catch 22 (to a degree). No one likes to be the first one... the one that gets pointed at. However, with brave and confident individuals like we have here, we can help start the trend as DAILY WEAR.

**Graham** · 8th March 07, 06:21 AM

Coming in late on this, but Rocky...well said, very well said.

I hope the future is more men in kilts, however they look.

Originally Posted by RockyR

This is exactly the point that Steven V. (UK), Robert (R-Kilts), Steve (FK), Bear (Bear kilts), Me (USAK) etc. talk about... the more people wearing kilts, the more people see kilts, the more accepted they become, the more people have the guts to wear them. If someone's wearing something that's a "lessor quality" kilt (in your opinion), don't insult them... educate them and / or talk to them. They may have a "tank" at home. They may be alergic to wool. They may be a poor college kid that spent his last $100 on the only kilt he could afford. They may be the owner of the company's kilt their wearing!

While all of the people mentioned above have a STAKE in whether or not kilts succeed on a "mass market scale", this is a market with a pretty frickin' open door policy. I've shared dinner with Robert (RK), Barb T and Steve (FK). I've had Steven V. (UK) sleep on my couch. I've sent people to Mike Butler (AK) and Jerry (SWK). I've gotten several customers from Jeff's (PK) website referrals. How many other industries can say that company owners interact like that?

Bottom line... we're all in it to have fun, make a living (not to be RICH, but to have a few dollars in our pockets) AND promote kilt wearing, even if we don't have what the person is looking for. The more people wear kilts, the more people want to wear them. It's a catch 22 (to a degree). No one likes to be the first one... the one that gets pointed at. However, with brave and confident individuals like we have here, we can help start the trend as DAILY WEAR.

**gilmore** · 7th March 07, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

...Here is how I see it. The traditional kilt has survived for centuries and will continue to survive and be worn be thousands of people. The newer versions of kilts may fall into the class of "kilt", but their future is not tied to the traditional kilt any longer (if it ever was) as they are finding their own niche markets. It's up to the people buying the entry level kilts, the tweaked kilts, the goth kilts, the utility kilts, etc,etc,etc to decide what the future of those kilts ends up being....

.

Actually, it hasn't survived, not in the fashion it was in. Other than in museums. E.g., when was the last time you saw some one wearing a kilt that had a pleated apron (other than a re-enactor)? Dress is constantly evolving. Trends come and go. How we relate to them reflects who we are, or how we define ourselves. There are those who like to be way in front of the herd always, no matter what is being worn conventionally. (Or outside of it) And then there are others who like to blend in, like my blue jeans wearing brother, who wore a sarong in Bali almost constantly, but would never wear one in the US.

I would guess that the kilt as we know it will not be around in a hundred years. After all, it developed only about a hundred years ago. And a hundred years before that it was rather different.

**Colin** · 8th March 07, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by gilmore

Actually, it hasn't survived, not in the fashion it was in. Other than in museums. E.g., when was the last time you saw some one wearing a kilt that had a pleated apron (other than a re-enactor)? Dress is constantly evolving. Trends come and go. How we relate to them reflects who we are, or how we define ourselves. There are those who like to be way in front of the herd always, no matter what is being worn conventionally. (Or outside of it) And then there are others who like to blend in, like my blue jeans wearing brother, who wore a sarong in Bali almost constantly, but would never wear one in the US.

I would guess that the kilt as we know it will not be around in a hundred years. After all, it developed only about a hundred years ago. And a hundred years before that it was rather different.

Actually, the little kilt has been around for a couple hundred years (I consider 200 years or so history). It may not be an exact match, but it's not an exact match now from maker to maker. I've got kilts from Bear in PV, I've got a 8 yard wool one from Scotland, and a 5 yard wool one on the way. None of my kilts are the same, but I am going to keep wearing them so I do know their future.

I think people on these forums forget that not all kiltwearers are on these forums and that there are thousands of other people worldwide that wear kilts (of many different varities) that don't take part in the online forums. The fate of the kilt and the road all the models take is not soley in the hands of the online communities.