Thread: kilts

Since I'm relatively new to this forum, I'm sorry to have missed this thread in it's hey day. However I've been a kilt wearer for several years now and find them to be the most confortable garment, not to mention better suited to the male anatomy. I have both the traditional high quality formal type and several variants of the modern casual types. I would consider wearing them daily and may do so when I retire. As it is they do seem to be enjoying something of a rennisance lately.

-80s

Well i have had my kilts for quite a while and i love them. i wear a kilt when ever i get the chance, summer or winter. my family is techincally scottish by name but went to ireland for political reason many many years ago so they claim irish ancestory so i have one from the scottish clan and an irish county. havent really gotten a chance to wear them over here in the desert (quite a shame cause they would allow more airflow than this silly uniform).

i was at breakfast one morning after a long "social" event and a little girl points to me and whispers to her mother "why is that man wearing a skirt?" well her mother quickly corrected her and explained

The song someone mentioned is "The Scottsman" by Irish Rovers

Kilts are great...if it was more tolerated in the workplace, I would wear one everyday. I can wear Clan MacGregor and also the Irish county tartan for the family name Hickey. The Scots and Irish are probably the most populous immigrant groups in the US after the Germans. I have a friend who also wears one of the plain "working kilts" (kilt crossed with cargo pants). I haven't worn my kilt since I got out of the Army in 93...and have become significantly more rotund since then (I'm in shape...round is a shape!)...but kilts lend themselves to every physique. There is even a trend now to go back to the kilts with fewer pleats, making them lighter than the tradition formal pleated 8 yard kilts. Do some research online - you'll find a ton of info and makers. Just remember to not skimp on the material...quality highland wool can feel like silk against the skin (pause for effect and consideration)...so a rough material could result in you having...a-hem...an "abrasive temperament" shall we say?

And to answer the question, no, you do not wear anything under a kilt unless you are competing in a athletic event...then only for safety and support.

"A Scot is standing to the side of a field, observing the Highland games, when a young woman appraoches and timidly asks what Scots wear under their kilts. He replies: "Lassie, I na'er met a man brave enough to try and find out, nor a woman unladylike enough to look."

"A Scot is hiking in the Highlands and stops for lunch. After some single malt and smoked venison, he leans against a rock and dozes off. Soon, two ladies from town pass by and curiosity gets the better of them....they lift his kilt and look. One lady, braver than the other decides to play a prank and ties a blue silk ribbon around what she sees. Both women then dash off, giggling. Later, the Scot wakes up and feels something funny. He lifts his kilt and wide-eyed exclaims "Ey, laddie! I dinna ken war you been, but at least ya took first prize!"


Greg

I almost spewed my water at the denim outfit. Just say nooooo!

Originally Posted by Howard Wallace

I have a couple of utilikilts (workman and survival models) and wear them frequently in the warm weather.

Only ran into trouble once, with a gang of teenagers. I was with my wife and elderly (72 Years old) inlaws. When things started to get ugly I confronted the gang and they decided to leave. I ended up filing a police report on that one. Most of the time there is no problem and people are quite gracious and interested in the garment. Many women especially seem to have a peculiar curiosity about the kilt and what's under it.

When I was in the Army, I visited Scotland and did my trip in a kilt...never got a second look...MacGregor tartan, button-down oxford shirt, knee-high stockings (tan or dark green ala Boy Scout uniform), or a polo shirt, a tweed jacket for dinner...it all fit in a rucksack. The only time I had any issue was on the Isle of Skye, when I was on the cost enjoying the view...two locals (also in kilts) came up and asked a bit belligerently: "Is that Wallace?!?" I answered "No, it's MacGregor." They paled, apologized and walked off. I always wonder what would have happened if I was wearing the Wallace tartan......

Let's also not forget various other tartans, wearable by anyone (and most tartans with family names are 'open' as well). I'm talking tartans for branches of Military service, American, American District, American National, tartans for states (all 50 have them), and then non-tartan kilts as well. Very soon investing in a few because I'm sick of excessive sweat from layered material down there. And they're better suited to male anatomy. Let the women keep the trousers.

STOP TROUSER TYRRANY!!!!

Originally Posted by WireBeard

When I was in the Army, I visited Scotland and did my trip in a kilt...never got a second look...MacGregor tartan, button-down oxford shirt, knee-high stockings (tan or dark green ala Boy Scout uniform), or a polo shirt, a tweed jacket for dinner...it all fit in a rucksack. The only time I had any issue was on the Isle of Skye, when I was on the cost enjoying the view...two locals (also in kilts) came up and asked a bit belligerently: "Is that Wallace?!?" I answered "No, it's MacGregor." They paled, apologized and walked off. I always wonder what would have happened if I was wearing the Wallace tartan......

I always understood that Scotsmen are very touchy about clan colors.
As I understood it, there are a couple of colors / patterns that you can wear freely if you are not a clansman, but if you wear clan colors you should have a valid reason and get permission from the clan leader.

It's best if you can, but most Clans are happy to share....although I am not sure a MacDonald would share with a Campbell.....

The Scots are proud of their tartans and have design many for folks who are not actually Scots....they don't seem to be bothered, as long as you show an interest in the culture.

Each Clan has a chief in SCotland and representatives here in the US. You can find most of them on the internet.

I wear my kilt quite offten actually. I get looks all over the place and tons of questions, but its quite comfortable. Im active duty so I wear the Registered Marine Corps Tartan. I also have my clans Tartan and a coupe of others like an Irish all one color kilt. I also include knee high socks with flasher also, or just sandles! I just got back from a golf tournament my family put on up in Spolake Washington called the kilted 18. My grandfather is always the traditional one, my father who just retuned from Iraq had one made up in his uniform and was the McHadji Clan, one ucle has his kilt made from Hawaiian print and he is from the McMaui Clan, and antoher uncle who is John Deer themed from the McDeen Clan. We have fun with it and I recomend it for everything from around the house wear to chores, to shopping, anything, who cares! Goes over well with he ladies too!