Please explain...

[highlander_Daz]

There are "kilts" sold on the royal mile far more deserving of criticism that "utilikilts" Im not a massive fan but the dark ones look good, and often the point of wearing the Kilt is to show one individuality and non conformance of other peoples "often skewed" pre concieved ideas of how one should live ones life, bring up ones children, wear , watch on TV etc. by prejudging people on what they wear your falling into the trap of the conformed. welcome and your opinions will allways be respected here, but be prepared to be challenged as well.

[The Wizard of BC]

OK, here is my answer to your question.

First, a message from our sponsors. I own and wear Traditional Style Kilts, I own and wear Casual Style Kilts, I own and wear Contemporary Style Kilts, I own, but don't wear anymore, MUG's.

The Traditional Style Kilt that is my hands down favorite is my Barb Tewksbury in 16oz Highland Granite. I guess this would come under your category of non-real kilt because the Tartan is a fashion tartan. It has no clan or even district affiliation.
Why do I wear this kilt? Because it is the most wonderful feeling garment I have ever owned.
What do I dislike about this kilt? I have no where to put my keys and change, no where to put my hands. I also dislike the process of hand washing this kilt.

My favorite Casual Style Kilts are my two USA Semi-Trads.
I like them because they are almost as nice as a full traditional. I can wear them casually or dressy equally well. I also like the machine washability.
I dislike the fabric weight. P/V is a lightweight fabric. It doesn't get really cold here in Victoria but I often feel chilly in my P/V kilts.

My favorite Contemporary Style Kilt is my 6 Color Desert Camo, Cargo Model Freedom Kilt.
I like that It has pockets. 7 of them to be exact. I have a pocket for my paperback book, one for my coffee mug, one for my pipe and tobacco, one for my keys and change, one for my wallet one for my cell phone and still have one left over.
I dislike that I don't have 35 of them. One in each fabric I carry in stock.
My second favorite is my Tartan Model in the X Marks Tartan. In this kilt I have the best of both worlds. A kilt with pockets and my Clan Tartan.

This paragraph deleted

Does this adequately answer your question?

[davedove]

I'll turn the question around and ask why you would wear a shirt of a particular color, unless that color had a specific meaning to you. Although many on the forum choose a tartan kilt because of some affiliation, others wear a kilt simply as a garment. The kilts I wear most are in tartans that have some connection for me, but I do have others. Understanding why different people make different decisions would take forever, as each person has a different reason.

[JakobT]

I'm very happy to see that the discussion has continued so amiably. I thought that, as a non-Scottish, non-traditional kilt-wearer I might share some of my thoughts concerning the kilt, why I wear it at all, and why I (for the moment at least) don't wear a traditional tartan kilt.

I visited Scotland for the first time almost 30 years ago, and have been there several times since, and remember both the place and the people very fondly. I'd toyed with the idea of getting a kilt for a long time, as it was a garment that I really liked the look of, but one thing stopped me - the fact that I wasn't Scottish. I had a vague idea that you didn't have to be in order to wear a kilt, but still, I was conscious of the fact that the kilt was very much a national symbol, and I didn't want to offend anybody by donning a piece of clothing that some might feel I had no business wearing.

Then, on a visit to Edinburgh a few years ago, I came across 21st Century Kilts, who made non-traditional, non-tartan kilts. Here was the opportunity I had waited for - being able to wear the kilt like a normal piece of clothing, without pretending to be something I wasn't. On my next visit to Scotland, I went to TFCK, and had my measurements taken. After putting away his tape measure, the shop assistant brought out a big swatch book and asked me what tartan I wanted. I had given this some thought. I knew there was nothing in principle to stop my from wearing any tartan I chose, but being Norwegian I felt a plain kilt to be more suitable, so I ordered mine in charcoal grey.

I now wear my kilt as often as I can, and am very happy with the choice I've made. For me, a non-traditional kilt makes perfect sense, and I can wear it without fear of encroaching upon a tradition that's important to a great many people. This, I feel, is the one of the great things about the contemporary kilt - it keeps the kilt alive as a garment by ensuring its continued use all over the world, and by doing so honours the Highland culture that gave birth to it.

[RobertsonII]

Now this is an explanation that I can get behind. I really appreciate your candor.

[SteveB]

Robertson II,
I was given a kilt by my family at age 11 in the tartan that is understood to represent my maternal great grandmother's clan (McNeil). I do not carry that surname as mine is Brown. My paternal lineage goes to back to Waping, England about 1630. There have been many inter-marriages both before and since. I also have a Highland Scot ancestor of unknown ancestry that was taken in one of Cromwell's efforts and sold for transportation at 2 Pounds 1 Shilling 2 Pence at auction in York, Maine in 1658. I have studied my family history and genealogy, and am continuing to learn more each day.
The wool kilt had served me well for various ceremonial occasions for over forty years. Due to my Great grandmother's well documented lineage, I can claim to have a very diluted Scot heritage. As I have aged a bit, I can no longer wear that wool kilt. I have passed it down to a nephew who can fit it properly. I have for quite some time worn for day to day activities, a variety of non-traditional kilts. I have six self made kilts in different materials. My first self made kilt is in 13 oz. black cotton denim. I chose this as it was very inexpensive material to try my skills on at 92 p./metre double width. With no tartan to follow sett, it afforded some room for learning without being hideous. I have enough self confidence in who and what I am to wear a kilt with pride and dignity in a mostly trousered environment. I also have developed enough confidence in my sewing skills (Thanks to Barb T's book) to soon attempt working with 52 pounds per metre genuine Scottish Worsted Wool tartan. The wool kilt will be for the ceremonial wear, where the clan tartan is appropriate.
I live in the United States, where there is a growing population of men that wear kilts with pockets so to have adapted the kilt to today's lifestyle of keys, drivers license, and mobile telephone. The Utilikilt Mocker in a tan colour has become the standard of office wear in many American businesses. The kilt is enough different than the Traditional Scottish kilt to help keep the kilt alive and at the same time respect the traditional tartan kilt's role in history.

[Makeitstop]

I wear a kilt because I care about "the lads" and want them to be free. And because cops frown on public nudity.

Seriously. Pants + my reproductive organs = "ow!" and that means I need some sort of manskirt. Anything too long is going to be awkward at times, and anything too short is going to have modesty problems. So the best compromise is somewhere around the knee. And because I need freedom of movement, pleats are very useful. That's pretty much going to be a kilt. Sure, there are other MUGs I could wear, but none that are as practical, attractive, and comfortable.

I am not affiliated with any clan and I have no clue exactly where my Scottish ancestors were from, nor do I particularly care. I don't wear a kilt for the sake of some long dead ancestor I know nothing about. I wear the kilt for my own sake. Because I like it.

It makes more sense to me (I repeat, to me) to wear a kilt because I think the colors are pretty than because someone else decided that that particular tartan (no matter how godawful ugly it may be) is the one I'm supposed to wear.

I prefer solid colors in all my clothing. That's what I feel most comfortable wearing. I have one tartan kilt and another to come as soon as my cheap, lazy brother gets off his **** and orders it already (I may very well have to wait until next christmas) and why did I choose them? Because SWK thrifties only come in tartans. If I had the money, I probably would have foregone the SWKs in favor of UKs and the like.

As for materials, wool is hot, expensive and requires dry cleaning. I am happy with cotton in it's various forms and blends, as well as any other practical, durable material that is not going to break the bank. Whatever works, I'm not picky.

And personally, I like pockets. Big ones. Lots of them. The more the better. I carry tons of stuff, and I don't like hauling a bag or purse around. It's either pockets or juggling.

So let's review:
I need some kind of kilt. I am not really concerned with tradition or heritage. I like solid colors. I'm not picky about materials. I really like pockets.

So there you have it. The contemporary kilt is simply the practical clothing choice to meet my needs. Why would I wear anything else?


Oh, and I've seen that hot topic kilt. I wouldn't be caught dead in that monstrosity.

[RobertsonII]

Oh, and I've seen that hot topic kilt. I wouldn't be caught dead in that monstrosity.

Thank you .

[macwilkin]

I am not affiliated with any clan and I have no clue exactly where my Scottish ancestors were from, nor do I particularly care. I don't wear a kilt for the sake of some long dead ancestor I know nothing about. I wear the kilt for my own sake. Because I like it.

Just as long as you respect the decision of those of us who do choose to honour our ancestors, sir.

Todd

[thescot]

To your question.

I like kilts. I like Scots (both decendents like me and those who are still in Scotland), and I came to admire the style of the kilt many years ago. I didn't have the courage to actually wear one until in my 40s, but since then, I have found there are few places I won't wear a kilt. (A hog killin' comes to mind, but there aren't many other places.)

It is, indeed a matter of style, just like trousers, tee shirts, and jeans. It's also a matter of pride. And it's a matter of comfort. and it's a matter of being cool when I am past the age of cool.

I don't care why anyone does anything they do as long as they don't hurt me or someone else, whether it's wearing a kilt, wearing their pants below their butts, or dancing nude in the moonlight. I like it when beautiful women come up to me when kilted and talk. I am no longer either young or handsome, but it's nice to be interesting to females. And girls like kilts.

I also find that I can do some neat stuff with kilted styles: weat khaki shirts, sweaters, wool jackets, black tie Prince Charlies, or formal doublets--all with the same kilt! Try that with one pair of trousers.

And because I am something of an extrovert, I guess I like to make a little bit of a show. And I can do that in a kilt, make myself and everyone else happy (people always smile when they see my kilt), and make a bit of a fashion splash.

I just plain look better kilted! And I only wear tartan kilts because that's what I like. I may get a canvas one some day, but I doubt it. But then, I don't care if someone else does.

Have a nice day and a wonderful life. Life is better kilted.