Kilt vs. Skirt

[tommiez]

As some one who is quite new to wearing a Kilt I have a few questions. I wear a Black Kilt around uni and out and about from time to time. Which always turns heads. It gets refered to as a Skirt and even a dress. I find this annoying and ignorant. I find my self trying to defened what is in essance a Skirt as a peice of Menswear.

Do you think it is important to draw a line between Kilts and Skirts?

Do you think people will percive you as a Transvestite if your in an Unbifurcated garment?

Do you find you keep having to tell people your not in womens clothes?

Is it seen as taboo to wear Unbifurcated clothing in public?

Cheers

[mddock58]

This is a common question that has been answered many times here.

First, a kilt IS a form of skirt, a MAN'S.

Second, solid colored Kilts are most easily confused with women's skirts by the uninformed.

Third, Some people are just ignorant, and choose to irritate you by calling it a skirt. (You have the confidence to wear it, they don't, so they try to make you uncomfortable!)

Wear it proud, don't let it bother you! You will find how many answers others have given here, and many work well.

[Kilted KT]

by definition a kilt is a specifically designed skirt worn by men, so in the most technical sense, it is a skirt.

as for the questions:

Do you think it is important to draw a line between Kilts and Skirts?
Yes. Skirts are worn by women and those who care to wear women's clothing. a Kilt is a male garment.

Do you think people will percive you as a Transvestite if your in an Unbifurcated garment?
only by the most conservative of folks, and even then I doubt it

Do you find you keep having to tell people your not in womens clothes?
No.

Is it seen as taboo to wear Unbifurcated clothing in public?
I wouldn't say it is taboo. It more unexpected than anything else. Most people who talk to me about the kilt offer either compliments, questions about most thinks kilted/scottich, or both!

basically wear the kilt with your head up. Realize that while it is simply a piece of EXTREMELY comfortable clothing on one hand, on the other it can be viewed as a visible demonstration of your individuality and willingness to be yourself regardless of social interpretation of your clothing choices.

above all else, wear the kilt because you want to, and enjoy it!

[motorman4life]

This is an issue that is pretty much been worn out and beat to death in these forums. If you are interested in the topic, you may want to do a search for "skirt" here and review the previous posts.

It really boils down to this; How confident are you in yourself? Are you confident enough to endure the "slings and arrows" of those that know damned-well they are not "man enough" to wear a kilt?

I know a lot of people make these petty skirt comments to try to get a rise out of you. In some cases they feel challenged by your overt demonstration of your pride, confidence and self-assured presence. Their comments are either friendly "jabs" or an attempt to challenge or "call your bluff."

My usual response is, "If it turns you on to call it a skirt insead of a kilt, knock yourself out... whatever gets you off dude." Another frequent response is, "If you don't know the difference between a kilt and a skirt, you must have slept through the 3rd grade."

I actually have a whole page of various responses to "the question" and skirt comments on my website at http://www.kiltday.com/thequestion.htm

Good luck and welcome aboard!

[cavscout]

definitely do a search on the forum. There have been many good points made in the past.

You may even find these articles helpful

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/page/articles.php

To be nervous and defensive to some degree is normal when just starting out in kilt wearing and or when you are the only one wearing a kilt.

Be encouraged, you are not alone. With the help of this forum you will become much more comfortable around people who feel they need to comment, and just as we have had to get used to wearing the kilt in our daily lives, the people around us have had to get used to it as well. We should be able to cut respectful people a bit of slack while they get used to it. The others, we can have a little fun with them Getting mad, or stressed over it is not worth it. The more you wear the kilt the more comfortable and confident you will become and that confidence will show to everyone around you and you will find that the ribbing and comments get fewer and fewer.

Be encouraged.

[bubba]

Don't sweat the numbskulls that smart off because you aren't a sheep like they are. The fact of the matter is strapping on a kilt is more natural to me now than pulling on jeans so I don't really think about it. I just go about my business and I find that if you aren't thinking about it and taking care of business as if nothing is different most people simply don't pay it any attention.

One incident that happened awhile ago still gives me a smile. A fellow in his late 40s or so started in on me at the bar about my "dress". I just sat there for a bit and let him run off at the mouth and folks around were listening to him going on. Finally I just said he needed more fish in his diet to revive some of his comatose brain cells. His wife cracked up as did most everyone else that was listening. Not another word was said the rest of the evening.

Just be yourself, ignore the stupidity you can and deal with the persistent jackasses as needed. Frankly, I've had to deal with very few. You'll find the positive far outweighs the negative. Most people that ask about your kilt are simply surprised and curious and talking with them in an open manner will accomplish a great deal.

[The Wizard of BC]

Tommiez,

If you will spend some time looking at the numbers of members here you will get a sense that it is perfectly ok to wear your kilt at any function, in any venue.

May I suggest you look at what else you are wearing with your kilt.

A large kilt belt, sporran, & kilt hose are some of the recognized accessories that for most of the public say KILT. These things are not required, but they seem to finish off the look and visually tell others "this is a kilt".

Look in the mirror. Is your shirt the type that may be confused with a woman's blouse? Are the sleeves too large? Is the color too bright or flowery?

I'm not trying to say you can't wear these things, just that it is easy recognize that what you are wearing is a kilt and not a woman's skirt if the other items of your wardrobe are also in line with the kilt.

Until you become comfortable with your own personal "look", try to avoid kilt accessories that are too costume like. A jacobite shirt is great at the highland games but may not be suitable for daily wear.

Look at the photos in Hamish's album.

http://hamish.imff.net

I hope these comment help.
Welcome to our little corner of the web.
Post a photo if you have one, and strap on your kilt and get out there.

[scottish]

[IMG][/IMG] well from a womans point of veiw i love a man in a kilt and im not the only one so wear it with pride and to those who dare to call it a skirt its just pure ignorence

[switchblade5984]

Just wear it! there will always be some fool calling it what ever!

***thread jack****
do you have that in a bigger size? the dare!

[sirdaniel1975]

Yeah, go and wear it. If they are getting confused because they don't see tartan?

Well, Clan Ferguson print:

(c) was in 1845 by RR McIan, he painted prints of the highland clans and some are in more historical garb. Like this one.. I think (don't quote me) that there are paintings of solid color belted plaides (plaide = means blanket it doesn't refer to tartan) in the first half of the 17th century. Matt Newsome's an expert on that stuff. His website is: http://albanach.org/

So wear it, and have your accessories. The sporran being the most important. Kilt belt, hoes, and garter flashes.

Daniel S. Williamson