Is a kilt outfit a luxury item?

**thescot** · 26th February 10, 10:01 AM

Yes, of course, kilts are luxury item unless they are required for your work.

But so are nice shoes, suits, ties, etc. None of those things are absolutely required for existence.

I tend to think that fearing offense toward those who have less may be a bit condescending toward them. Not to offend you, but people are quite able to understand that folks who have jobs can afford more than those without jobs. Why not just wear the kilt (if you want to) with some fairly casual accoutrements, a plain sporran, shoes, and shirt or sweater.

A fur sporran or gold trinkets would be out of place--in my opinion--but simply weraing a kilt would not. Of course, I have also noticed that there are more basic yet subtle differences in thinking between the US and some parts of the UK. Maybe the kilt would be more offensive in Scotland.

I do know that in my own dealings with those who have a lot less--teaching, counseling, etc.--my kilt was never perceived as offensively ostentatious.

**auld argonian** · 26th February 10, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.

I could think about what else I could have bought with the money, but it's been worth it and I don't plan to spend that much for another few years yet!

Once you've got your kit, how much more stuff do you actually need?

I've gone to formal event where the "old money" types are very conspicuously wearing tuxedo's that were new back when I was young. This has prompted my observation that:

Old money gets to be old money because they don't spend it.

Best

AA

**Jock Scot** · 26th February 10, 10:12 AM

This really has been an interesting thread! Good and valid points have been raised and having read the posts again, I have, for what it is worth, come to this conclusion.

Providing there are no health and safety issues and no dress code issues, then wear the kilt. It is our national dress after all and we should not apologise for it, I never have! If a Scot cannot wear the kilt in Scotland, well where can he wear it?

What I would say is that the kilt needs to be tartan, wool and the best you can afford. Stick to one tartan at all times and wear it absolutely to the book, not one corner cut. Finally, wear the kilt as though you have worn it everyday of your life, not one apology, not one "what do you think of it?" question to staff ,or client. I think you would gain the respect of your clients and in no time they will expect you to wear the kilt.

**Paul** · 26th February 10, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Once you've got your kit, how much more stuff do you actually need?

I've gone to formal event where the "old money" types are very conspicuously wearing tuxedo's that were new back when I was young. This has prompted my observation that:

Old money gets to be old money because they don't spend it.

Best

AA

Well that's the thing. If I see a bargain or when I pluck up a couple of hundred pounds from some overtime, I'll buy myself something new. In 9 months I've got myself 7 wool kilts, 6 jackets, 8 sporrans (and I'm about to buy another), and numerous bits and pieces to go with each outfit. I'm pretty much set for life... but I know that I'll buy more and more as I see more that I like.
I need to pull back a bit and start saving for some other things, for once!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 26th February 10, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

This really has been an interesting thread! Good and valid points have been raised and having read the posts again, I have, for what it is worth, come to this conclusion.

Providing there are no health and safety issues and no dress code issues, then wear the kilt. It is our national dress after all and we should not apologise for it, I never have! If a Scot cannot wear the kilt in Scotland, well where can he wear it?

What I would say is that the kilt needs to be tartan, wool and the best you can afford. Stick to one tartan at all times and wear it absolutely to the book, not one corner cut. Finally, wear the kilt as though you have worn it everyday of your life, not one apology, not one "what do you think of it?" question to staff ,or client. I think you would gain the respect of your clients and in no time they will expect you to wear the kilt.

I couldn't agree more, and for exactly the same reasons you've stated.

**thescot** · 26th February 10, 01:29 PM

Jock does it again.

Dang, I've got to get over to Invernessshire.

**jkane** · 26th February 10, 01:31 PM

I think a full dress kilt is a luxury item. You should wear such a thing in a formal environment. Just as I would not wear the pants that match my suit jacket while out drinking beer with my buddies, I would not wear a wool $500 kilt there either!

However, I would, and do wear a $30 stillwater kilt to almost anything! I would say if you want to wear a kilt and don't want to seem elitist, then get yourself a cheap kilt and wear it like you would blue jeans. If it gets raggedy, then consider it the equivalent to raggedy jeans!

I had this happen last weekend. A woman wanted to know why I was wearing a kilt that day. I said it was Saturday. Then she made a comment about getting her husband a kilt, but they were expensive, so I informed her that this kilt cost $30 new!

**GMan** · 26th February 10, 02:00 PM

I do understand where you are coming from. Yet one must decide where they can do the best work for humanity.

**dutchy kilted** · 26th February 10, 05:22 PM

Think of it this way - your wearing of a kilt might give your clients a smile. God knows, they probably need something to smile about.

**McMurdo** · 27th February 10, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

Here in Canuckistan, a kilt is considered pretty much a luxury item, but that is based on history and not current economic levels. It's changing slowly, but here the unkilted people attending, say, a Highland Games are still quite surprised if you wear one to the Games and are not an organizer or in a band or other such group and that is mostly because it hasn't entered the Celtic public's consciousness that they are within general economic reach now. I remember how suprised I was when I realised I could buy a new one! From what I know about Scotland and from comments seen here, I would say that is pretty much true in Scotland, or perhaps even more so. The first rule of a helping profession is of course to establish a personal trust relationship with the clients and if a kilt will get in the way of that I have to make the sad recommendation that you don't wear one. On the job I mean.

I'm not sure which Highland Games you are going to, or where in our great country you live, however your experience is certainly different from mine. Of course I am active in the Scottish community in my area, and so I do see kilts at Scottish Country Dancing, Highland Games, Boat Cruises, etc. my first kilt was one that my dad gave me, it was his from Scotland and was sewn up in 1950, since then I've bought others, it never surprised me how affordable they really were, it was simply the way it is. I also take exception with your calling Canada "Canuckistan", please keep comments like that to yourself, and show some dignity. If you have a legitimate reason for doing it please explain it, if not then just stop it.