The real difference between a Kilt and a skirt.

[souzaphone711]

This is based on personal observation but seems to hold true.


As a member of the kilted community I've noticed something as to the nature of kilts and kilt wearers. Now we may wear only traditional kilts or even only contemporary kilts but we all seem to have one thing in common: our mindset. every person I've met in a kilt has been nice, helpful, and fairly open minded. I have yet to meet a mean, nasty, or just plain rude person in a kilt. This is honestly one of the few groups I am truly proud to be a part of.

There is another thing I have noticed. There is no lack of confidence in this community. It is true that it takes courage to wear a kilt. I know this from my own experience. However, with that courage comes respect as well. Respect for both heritage and the garment itself. It even draws respect from the people around us. We, as a community, show that we are beyond caring about what others think of our appearance. We set an example for those around us and walk on the high moral ground as we have no need to point out the faults or strangeness in others.
When wearing a kilt it seems that it draws attention to us as well as our actions. This brings both our words and actions more to light. I've noticed that when this is the case, kilted people rise to the occasion. Even when, in the rare instance, wearing pants, this same action takes place. It seems like you cannot find a person who seems like a truly bad representation of our community.
In examining the following i have come to the conclusion that it's not some technical issue or design difference that separates a kilt from a skirt. It's the person wearing it. A kilt wearer is fundamentally different that a typical person in a skirt. There's just no getting around it. This is simply what allows negative comments to roll off kilt wearer's backs.


Maybe I'm wrong here but this is what I have seen in the short time I have been wearing a kilt.


-Nate



Edit: For the record, I'm not a big guy. 5'10" and about 125 lbs.

[beloitpiper]

I dunno, I've met some pretty nasty traditionalists who criticize people for wearing contemporary or tartans not of their clan.

But, all in all, kilt wearers are great people!

[switchblade5984]

well i havent met anyone like that... however i am 6'1 and 240lbs....

[Julie]

you are absolutely correct in your observation. To confirm what you observed I and several friends are members of the national Scottish Fotball teams supp orters club, more commoly known as the 'Tartan Army'.
This club is several thousand strong and in the more important games, such as the World Cup and European championship, thousands of the 'Tartan Army' travel abroad to follow their team, like to the USA in the 1994 World Cup.

As most supporters are proud to wear their kilts at these games, we are acutely aware that not only are we representing our national team but we are representing our country, Scotland.
The behaviour of the Scots fans is first class and we have been cmmended by the mayors and peoples of a great many cities throughout the world.
Julie (Julian)

[nixphotography]

Nate I to have only been wearing a kilt for a short time. I have to agree with you whole heartedly. Like you I am a big boy 6'5" 370 lbs. to be exact and like you I don't believe I will get meny rude comments. But I do try to conduct myself in a manner that would bring dishonor to my ancestors that would have wore this garment. I believe that when you have the courage to wear a kilt that others can see the confidence just beaming off of you. Those around us nay not understand why we wear a kilt but most I believe would respect us enough not to say too much about it.

Just my opinion.

Brett

[Robin]

Nate...I think you're observations are pretty accurate

I was lucky...I found Xmarks before I received my 1st kilt....without this forum it might have been my only kilt...7 now

[mkmound]

. . . . But I do try to conduct myself in a manner that would bring dishonor to my ancestors that would have wore this garment. . . .

Brett

Brett, can we assume that this is a typo??

[Panache]

Brett, can we assume that this is a typo??

That depends on how he felt about his ancestors!

[Blu (Ontario)]

.... When wearing a kilt it seems that it draws attention to us as well as our actions.

I think this is one of the reasons the detractors make the noises they do. For others, I think it steals a bit of their thunder.

... There's just no getting around it. This is simply what allows negative comments to roll off kilt wearer's backs....

I don't know about that.... but I do think we learn how to handle it with dignity, grace, and a bit of wit.

.

[David Dalglish]

I think that, when we don our kilts we become ambassadors for the kilted fraternity & as such if we want to promote kilt wearing ,we should conduct ourselves acordingly. I do anyway