Kilt as just another part of your wardrobe

[Shedlock2000]

Jock,

I wonder if what your experiencing is a uniquely Scottish reaction, or is it universal to those cultures that still have some form of ethnic dress? Is there the same sort of cultural drift in traditional Indian, Arab or the various Asian cultures clothing as they have moved to various parts of the world?

I do seriously wonder, but I admit that I had a somewhat humorous thought of a Jacques Écossais not being happy about how there are tuques being worn all across Canada by people with no connection to the French naval tradition, and it colors other than red!

To a certain extent, I, as a Scot, tend to agree with Jock. However, I draw a few lines:

1) If the kilt is being worn to a more formal occasion, I prefer it to be worn well or not at all. That is, that it is worn at the right height, with the correct jacket for the occasion, and so on.
2) If the kilt is being worn down, it is being worn down with taste (with a sweater, hoodie (bunny-hug!), T-shirt or something similar) and the kilt is again at the right height etc.
3) If the kilt is to be worn at a sporting event, then trainers are ok -- however, if it is not, I really do like some boots, shoes, and hose to be involved!

For me, these things are important because the kilt is a cultural piece of clothing and it needs respect when being worn formal (I have the same disdain for improperly cut suits and over length suit pants). However, the kilt, as I see it, is a garment of clothing worn on the lower half and as such, can be supplemented with a wide variety of tops to be appropriate for various occasions. Actually, I am a huge fan of the kilt being worn in this way, as I believe it furthers and promotes a growing and developing national identity that (I hope) refuses to be dry, dusty, and old fashioned). That is to say that I love that the kilt is being worn contemporaneously -- in this way, I have a huge amount of respect for the work of Howie Nicholsby, who is making the kilt more 'trendy' (though I use a passé word). I am not, however, a fan of the leather kilts and alternative fabrics.

[Shedlock2000]

Shedlock2000 What tartan is the Blue kilt that is wonderful?

@Richrail,

The blue tartan is the new University of Lethbridge tartan -- see this thread:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-tartan-92002/

Isn't it gorgeous? It actually has a pink stripe in it and I am really looking forward to making the pink stripe pop!

[Nomad]

I wear kilts every day -- or nearly everyday. When I wear them, it depends upon where I am and what I am doing! I like to wear them down a lot:

As a native Scotsman, I like many others are a little handicapped by the tradition thing and find it a challenge to " accept"the casual look, but this forum is opening my eyes.

Just wanted to say, love the kilt, the blue really stands out and I think the hoody and jacket is a great look.

[Shedlock2000]

Just wanted to say, love the kilt, the blue really stands out and I think the hoody and jacket is a great look.

Thanks, Nomad! I actually take a bit of my inspiration from Duncan McKay (Monarch of the Glen) and Ewan McGregor -- I like that comfortable look; it sort of helps make the kilt an everyday piece of clothing (which, in my opinion, it should be).

Tbh, that little P-40 jacket is the greatest kilt accessory I have ever owned (though I preferred it when it fitted me better -- my belly has grown somewhat!) I wear it almost always, as it is so accommodating in the shoulders, has huge pockets, and is incredibly warm (in the last photo below, it was 2am, -10c, and I went hiking with my dog in just a t-shirt and the P-40 Jacket!!)








This shot above, in particular, shows how warm the jacket is. I was wearing a thin cashmere sweater, a base layer and the P40 Jacket -- it was -38c here with a further -25 windchill (it was taken on my walk to the University)

[Steve Ashton]

Posted for no other reason that to bring tears to everyone's eyes.


And just so everyone knows, Yes it is a joke, and yes it was done on a dare.

[Nomad]

Posted for no other reason that to bring tears to everyone's eyes.


And just so everyone knows, Yes it is a joke, and yes it was done on a dare.

Lol, my eyes are bleeding, good example of what not to mix & match

[Luke MacGillie]

Lol, my eyes are bleeding, good example of what not to mix & match

Im so triggered!

[Jock Scot]

The "Duncan Mackay" (Monarch of the Glen) look is a perfectly traditional kilt look , although anyone wearing the kilt around the Loch Laggan area at anytime between April and October(midges!) deserves a medal and then needs to get his brain examined!

I used to have a picture of one of my uncles in the 1930's and two others in civilian kilt attire clad in open necked shirts, tweed jackets, kilt, sporran, black(?) shoes, and smartly folded down to ankle height kilt hose, at a RAF demonstration, near Inverness I think, of a Vickers K machine gun . So whilst you chaps may think that you are leading a modern trend with your attire, much of it has been done as traditional kilt wear nearly 100 years ago!

[Hirsty]

I have to admit that I don't wear my kilt often enough - usually for formal do's, Highland Games, town fairs, work nights, going to the rugby, etc.

Personally, I do feel that I am not wearing it right unless it is properly on the waist, just above the knee, with a sporran and hose.

That said, one of the great things about the kilt is that even though it is a traditional, ethnic piece of clothing, it is still a living part of culture. It is still evolving to this day - the way it is worn, cut, materials, tartans, etc - and this is a good thing. After all, once something stops evolving it becomes extinct.

[joek]

I wear kilts around the house, doing yard work, running chores - most everywhere but Church. As kilt wearing is not of my heritage it does garner some additional questions from folks who know me. If I were to only wear kilts to festivals and Highland Games in southwestern Pennsylvania they would only be worn in the month of September. Daily kilt wear out and about by others here is non-existent. I do need to get some wool ones as the pv's can be a "little breezy" at times.