Is it possible to wear a kilt and not look like you're from Scotland?

[The Q]

Freebooter you're are making a mistake made by many (including in Scotland)
The Kilt was the form of Dress worn by the Gaelic speaking Highland refered to as Gaels
The Southern residents of Scotland, roughly everything south of the Tay and Clyde rivers, are those that were referred to as Scots (and the majority population).

For much of history the Gaels if not enemies, certainly were not friends of the Scots. To a Gael, a Scot is just as much a Sassanach as an English born person.

The history of Scotland for the majority of Scots has never included the Kilt, it is only since 1822 visit of King George IV to Edinburgh that the kilt became acceptable to be seen in Southern Scotland.

The Kilt is not the Heritage of the Scots but the Gaels, So many will never wear a kilt ( My two Sisters husbands and their children never have). Ah just remembered, the husbands, may have worn a kilt to my brothers wedding.... in England...

Since 1822 the kilt has gradually taken hold, But only for formal occasions like weddings, or even more recently football and rugby matches.
Some Scots are now very protective of their Newly acquired "National Dress", Some still reject it and 99% other than at their wedding will never wear it.

The Scots (including the Gaels), Know They are Scots and don't need to prove it by wearing the kilt, any more than an American has to wear "cowboy" or "native American" forms of dress to prove they are American.

[Jock Scot]

Post deleted.

[davidlpope]

Don't feed the troll.

[OC Richard]

And in my mind, if I was Scottish, living in Scotland... I would be ashamed that people in other countries are more proud of their Scottish history and heritage than some people in Scotland.

But that's what happens when people emigrate. They become "more ________ " than the people who remained behind. More aware of their ethnicity, more obsessed about the few kernels of their pre-emigration culture they've held on to, more patriotic; but their patriotism and imagined culture is usually distorted in a way that's dismaying to the citizens of the original country.

I see it all the time in the American Irish world. New York had their first St Patrick's Day Parade in the 1750s. Dublin didn't have one until two centuries later, and it was organised by Americans. These Americans who are so wrapped up in their Irishness are termed "plastic Paddies" by the Irish.

By 1900 the USA had absorbed, what, a million Irish immigrants? More? and the music industry (Tin Pan Alley in New York) catered to this market by cranking out hundreds of corny sentimental songs. Americans of Irish descent are surprised to discover that the songs they think of as "Irish" such as Danny Boy and Irish Eyes Are Smiling aren't Irish in the least, being written by American, English, Eastern European Jewish, and yes some Irish songwriters, in New York.

[Freebooter]

Hello all,
I am no troll. And I do apologize if I came across wrong. But it was just that I have read and heard that many Scottish look down on, smirk, or even hold in casual contempt outsiders that wear kilts, "try to be Scottish", etc. I just could not imagine anyone feeling that way towards outsiders trrying to honor ancestors, their Scottish history, etc, etc. If I heard wrong, etc, then I do sincerely apologize. In fact I am fixing to go delete that comment or post.
FB

[eagle43172]

I'm sorry sometimes that I don't check into XMarks more often, but I really have to add my 2 cents.
One of the things I love about the forum is that regardless of topic the flow of conversation becomes more and more interesting the longer it lasts. Not always exactly on topic, but never dull. To the point, I wear a clan tartan kilt for only 2 reasons: 1. I am a member of my clan society (not clan, as I'm not living in 16th century Scotland, but 21st century Texas) and when we gather it's expected. 2. If I say so myself, I too an stunningly handsome in Scottish attire. And yes, I do wear it "out & about" often enough to be noticed around town.
I do not wear, nor will ever own a utility style kilt. I have no problem with the idea, but tend to go with utility-trews:!
Thanks for listening.
Dave

[Freebooter]

But that's what happens when people emigrate. They become "more ________ " than the people who remained behind. More aware of their ethnicity, more obsessed about the few kernels of their pre-emigration culture they've held on to, more patriotic; but their patriotism and imagined culture is usually distorted in a way that's dismaying to the citizens of the original country.

I see it all the time in the American Irish world. New York had their first St Patrick's Day Parade in the 1750s. Dublin didn't have one until two centuries later, and it was organised by Americans. These Americans who are so wrapped up in their Irishness are termed "plastic Paddies" by the Irish.

By 1900 the USA had absorbed, what, a million Irish immigrants? More? and the music industry (Tin Pan Alley in New York) catered to this market by cranking out hundreds of corny sentimental songs. Americans of Irish descent are surprised to discover that the songs they think of as "Irish" such as Danny Boy and Irish Eyes Are Smiling aren't Irish in the least, being written by American, English, Eastern European Jewish, and yes some Irish songwriters, in New York.

Yep. And thousands of Scottish came to the US in the 1700s, settlimg many, many in the deep south. Many came in early 1800s also. And as u say, the Irish too.

[Luke MacGillie]

On a few occasions I have been asked if I am Scottish or from Scotland. My reply is always the same - "Scottish? No. Canadian eh." I am always met with a smile and a knowing nod. Everyone up here seems to take it as understood that a Canadian wearing a kilt, even a Tartan kilt, is not trying to pretend to be Scottish. They are being 100% Canadian. Just as someone wearing a button blanket or a Capote coat made from a Hudson's Bay Point Blanket is being 100% Canadian.

Interesting aside, Blanket coats/Capote's are perceived as being something "Canadian", yet in the not so distant past (To Me) they were just as prevalent in Pittsburgh or Louisiana on the backs of French, English, African and Native American peoples. Another tidbit lost to the sands of time, they were not always made from Blankets, various broadcloths, kerseys and strouds were used, as well as blankets.

[Alan H]

Let's try to stick close to the OP (me!) original question.

Can we wear a kilt and not look like we're trying to appear that we're from Scotland?

Comments about whether Scots, Irish, Cape Breton-ers, Californians, Japanese or residents of Antarctica are or are not proud of their culture are well outside the topic. Not only that, but who are you or I to judge whether someone else does badly by "not being proud of their traditions" ?? It's THEIR decision, THEY decide what their traditions are, not you and I.

Back to kilts. KILTS. Thanks!

I don't think this guy is trying to look like he's from Scotland.

(digital camouflage kilt).

[The Wizard of BC]

And yet this guy is dress very appropriately (and correctly) for the activity in which he is engaged.

Let's try to stick close to the OP (me!) original question.

Can we wear a kilt and not look like we're trying to appear that we're from Scotland?

Comments about whether Scots, Irish, Cape Breton-ers, Californians, Japanese or residents of Antarctica are or are not proud of their culture are well outside the topic. Not only that, but who are you or I to judge whether someone else does badly by "not being proud of their traditions" ?? It's THEIR decision, THEY decide what their traditions are, not you and I.

Back to kilts. KILTS. Thanks!

I don't think this guy is trying to look like he's from Scotland.

(digital camouflage kilt).