Obnoxiously long ramble; past, present and future of kilt-wearing for yours truly

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Alan,
Great post, thank you.
I hope all goes as well as can be expected for you and your family.
Will send my thoughts and good mojo out to you and yours.

As for the rest, I couldn't agree more.
I wear a kilt because I like the comfort and looks of it as a piece of clothing.
I don't go to many fancy affairs, so I don't worry too much about "proper" attire.
As for my everyday kicking around, I wear what I like and what I think looks good. (Emphasis on I)
I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks of it or how it was worn "properly" 100 years ago!
Even wearing only modern (and usually more wild than the norm at that) kilts, I find it interesting to learn of the history of it, but I personally don't think that is even necessary for the casual kilt wearer.

This isn't meant to be disrespectful of the history or where the kilt came from, but if you just like wearing it, who cares about all that and why would anyone think it necessary?
For anyone that takes issue with that statement I ask you this, did you spend hours tracing back and learning the history of jeans the first time you put a pair on? Have you done it now? I would guess probably not. Why? It is just clothes. In the grand scheme of things, that is what it amounts to, and that is what a kilt is. Just clothes, something to put on to cover the naughty bits when out in public because that is what society says we are expected to do.

I certainly respect your right to hold your opinion, but please remember that for some of us, the kilt is symbolic of our heritage. While that may not be important to you, it is important to other people. If you want others to respect your views, you should return that respect. You are free of course, to view the kilt as just another garment -- but the tone in this quote above doesn't seem to respect those who differ from you, especially when you state that you're not being disrespectful, and then turn around and ask why anyone would care about such things? You may not care, but others do.

And for the record, as a historian, I have researched the history of various items of clothing as a living historian for the National Park Service. But, as a librarian and teacher, I tend to research most everything.

In fact, I generally discuss a brief history of jeans when I talk about the California Gold Rush. I find my students generally love this sort of stuff, especially when discussing such a ubiquitous item as jeans.

If I am wrong in your meaning, then I sincerely apologize.

Regards,

Todd

It seems to me he was just pointing out that a garment can be worn without the having to follow any traditions or rules.

Most folks are not going to grill someone over wearing a Cowboy hat with tennis shoes, a cuspuk with jeans, or any other traditionally "incorrect" wearings of garments, nor are folks who are wearing these out to offend anyone's traditions.

Many people are initally attracted to a garment for many reasons other than it's traditions or any connections to the heritage of it's original wearers. Some folks may then go seek out infromation regarding the garment, it's history, traditions, etc. Or, they may not.

[macwilkin]

post deleted.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

No offense taken. I read his post in a different tone than it appeared you did, and I was just putting my differing view out there.

[Uncle Ricky]

Excellent post Alan.
There is way too much "Small Stuff" being sweated here.
Far better to cherish our relationships.. especially those who love us.

Respectfully,
Rick

[mddock58]

Thanks Alan, I could go on with what I am faced with as well, but this is your thread, and no need to play that "I got one too" game.

I agree with your intent, as well as the comments that Todd added.

Overall it is our lives and our loved ones that matter.

Regards

[Bugbear]

You know, the reason I was agreeing with Todd is because my tartan was insulted not too long ago in a blindly ilogical way, and probably out of hate. At the same time, and these are trolls we are talking about, another groups tartan was being attacked and insulted in a peralell way. I read the reactions to those insults before and after the things were stated about my tartan. I understood on an emotional level what they were upset over and felt some of the same feelings in my own case.

It very much changed my prospective on much of these things we are talking about in relation to Highland attire, and especially clan tartans. And that goes for whether it is adapted to other cultures or done as in Scotland. There is an essence and spirit to it all.

[Alan H]

Gentlemen, MUST we fight in EVERY

SINGLE

post?

[DWFII]

Gentlemen, MUST we fight in EVERY

SINGLE

post?

Come on, Alan!

Who is fighting?

If every difference of opinion and every disagreement is deemed a fight, then someone ought to write out a canon of acceptable opinions so we can all subscribe. Or not.

With all due respect...and I am sincere in that...what were you looking for in the way of response to your original post?

Can any one of us, short of the mods closing a thread, control the direction a conversation takes? Should we if we could?

[Bigkahuna]

I've been involved in emergency medicine for over 20 years and if it's one thing that I've learned it is to cherish your family for they can be gone in the blink of an eye. Know that you and your loved ones are in my prayers.Kilts aren't even in the running in this one.

[Alan H]

I give up.