Thread: Kilts!

Culture is the key word here you are correct. But I am not certain you are using it in the correct terms. Cultural limitations may be more right than you think. Mike was pretty much on the money- in fact I agree with alot of what Mike posted.

The cultural issue here is one of acceptance. And its not about whether the Celts accept your heritage or lack of as reason why you should or should not wear a kilt. To hell with it! If you want to wear a kilt then go for it my friend! More power to you. I'm Scottish myself and yes the tartan kilt is traditional Scottish dress but why should you not feel accepted in one? You wouldnt limit baseball caps to baseball games, would you?

No the issue here IS one of culture but is how you are affected by the society and culture you are in. Mike touched on it when he spoke of the diverse nature and greater acceptance parts of America appreciate. The cultural limitations are ones that are placed on you by the society around you. Ask yourself- how accepted would I feel walking down the street in a kilt by those around me? How would that make me react/feel? THOSE are the cultural limitations I think. I mean, what is stopping you putting on a dress and make-up so you can go down the street. Absolutely nothing. APART from how you would be seem by those around you and how that would make you react.

I was on the bus today and an elderly gentleman got on. He was wearing a kilt but it wasnt to go to a fancy occasion. He was wearing it because he wanted to. Its not something you see every day even here in Scotland. I see a kilt worn like that maybe once or twice a year. They become much more popular around the time of the rugby or when scotland play football nationally. Anyway the point is when this guy got on the bus he DID get a few strange looks. BUT HE TOOK IT IN HIS STRIDE. He had the confidence to wear it and carried on regardless. As a result, so did the rest of us and it was no big issue.

I URGE you not to make it a big issue for yourself. If you have the confidence to do so, if you have the balls to wear one proudly then forget any notion that you need to have the heritage and take a pride in who YOU are!



Sandy

Originally Posted by Silver

Why thank you TJ! Not sure if the Hannah Montanna tee fits the overall look, bare chested and fully armed would make for a better picture.

Im afraid I look even more girly without the shirt. "Im SO getting the perfect push-up" haha. Its official, stimulus check goes to a kilt (and more razors..I cant stop..)

I think you should wear whatever the hell you want as long a you like it and respect it. (provided it doesnt have lasers that kill on sight or something)

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

I presume you are talking about tartan kilts here. And even then, i'd be interested to see the sources. Where would it be recorded that person 'x' from family 'y' started wearing tartan kilts on date 'z'?

Forgive my scepticism, but I live in a tourist trap area of Scotland and all too often see visitors from Clan Myazaki (for instance) come to be told a load of nonsense.

Out of interest, my mum and gran come from Dollar. My Gran still lives there. Farquason is the tartan. But I believe Castle Campbell is just outside Dollar. Perhaps that is what you are referring to?

Yes, I am referring to tartan kilts here, though I do not fool myself that I am wearing a reproduction of the exact tartan worn by an ancestor. I was going to wear a kilt, I just wanted if possible to continue to discover our family connections rather than pick a tartan for more aesthetic reasons.

Our family was traced back to the foundling of Gateside, Dollar (mid 18th century) by an uncle who was deeply into genealogy. Contacting the curator of the Dollar museum, going through church records I found the family who adopted and raised my ancestor, then began going through that family's genealogical records. This narrowed things down to a few clans whose North American branches I contacted. They put me in touch with a few genealogy buffs within their own clans and I exchanged e-mails with them until I found connections to the Sorlies, a family of weavers, in Dollar in the mid 18th century. I probably could have dug deeper, but genealogical research is not my cup of tea.

That said there were plenty of websites of "Scottish Ancestry" that allowed my to plug in my last name (Dollar) then pick from 3-10 clans to find a tartan that suited me, perhaps this would have been easier .

First things first: An introduction. Hi, I'm Marc, and I'm a newbie to straight razors, and an addict of the kilted lifestyle.


In reading this thread I've noticed several things, chief among them are the correct Welsh spelling of Cilt, and the extreme interest in the non-traditional style of kilt.

Not being welsh, or speaking the language, or knowing anything other than the spelling of Cilt and Ysgrepan (sporran), I can't really comment on the first point, other than to say “KILT ON!” for your embracing of the languages of the isles.

On the second point I can comment heavily. My first kilting experience was part of a costume for All Hallow's Eve, I was dressing as a fallen angel, and needed something other than pants to go with it, I decided on a Utilikilt mocker, in black, for the occasion, figuring if I didn't like I could resell it on Ebay. (I'm the one on the left)

It turns out that I really liked it, but for quite some time this was my only kilt, which I wore about once a month, doing whatever, but mostly out drinking. Then I moved to Colorado, where I wore it just as, if not more often, although I didn't go out as much. Then came a time when I was detached from most of society, and stuck with random limited, and sporadic use of the internet and phones as my connection to the real world. During this period I acquired 4 more kilts, of which 1 was identical to that which I'd already purchased, but sized better (ALWAYS follow YOUR kiltmaker's instructions, to the T) a Utilikilt survival model, in tan, and two of their spartans, one in black and the other in blue, both of which are wonderful in their idea as a casual/lounging kilt.


Then I returned to civilization, or something resembling it, back in the good ole US of A. I went out a bit more frequently, in my kilts, and in pants (cursed creations that they are). And I realized that I got quite a few skirt comments, mainly due to the construction and pattern, or lack thereof, that was incorporated into the utilikilt. So I broke down and purchased a heavyweight acrylic from Welcome to Stillwater Kilts, along with the requisite pin and sporran (Ysgrepan), then I came to realize that I needed the other parts of traditional kilts, the Sgian Dubh (black knife, or as I prefer to call it, the Sock Knife) the hose, and yes, even a coat and vest specifically designed for kilt wear. I still wear the utilikilts, and quite frequently, compared to my traditional styled kilts, as my traditional style outnumber my non-traditional styled kilts by at least 2-1.

There are some things that I would recommend for newbies to the kilting world:
1: Find a kilt forum, there are several out there, and I know of 2 that are really good (for the lazy amongst us, here's a link to the google results kilt forums - Google Search

2: Figure out your style, be it traditional, or non traditional, or a mix thereof, there's a slew of good kiltmakers out there to fit either style, and the forums can provide you with better information on your preferred style.

Honestly, I would recommend going with a simple inexpensive kilt in both styles, and seeing which one you prefer, or which one you can wear at work, if any at all (And if you can wear one at work, I officially hate you, in a good natured way)

Marc

Check your local legal situation and wear one of these with pride (the regimental dirk that is - not the razor placed for size comparison!). It adds a certain edge to ones attitude. This one cut my last wedding cake too. It hangs well at the side of the kilt and the additional knife and fork (both with the cairngorm yellow stones on the front of the scabbard) are fun to use at the table.

cheers
Stephen

KILTS!!! I'M ALL FOR THEM!

I dont' wear them exclusively only because I do have to wear pants to my job, but they don't mind me showing up in one every so often.

As it is I have the following:
1 Traditional hand sewn kilt made by Hector Russell in my clan tartan of Anderson.
1 Anderson tartan Sport Kilt for the really hot days at the Highland games.
1 Nova Scotia tartan Sport Kilt.
6 kilts from Stillwater Kilts.

• Marine Core tartan
• Weathered Lamont tartan
• Blackwatch tartan
• Stewart Black tartan
• Pride of Scotland tartan
• Gordon tartan

1 Utilikilt, original in night watch camo

For men they make more sense as a practical functional garment. Lets face it, crushed nuts are for sundaes.

80s

Originally Posted by Eighties

KILTS!!! I'M ALL FOR THEM!

I dont' wear them exclusively only because I do have to wear pants to my job, but they don't mind me showing up in one every so often.

(...)

For men they make more sense as a practical functional garment. Lets face it, crushed nuts are for sundaes.

80s

And what about you? How do you feel about heritage as a possible must for kilt wearing?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by fpessanha

And what about you? How do you feel about heritage as a possible must for kilt wearing?

Thanks!

I don't think there are many who would say it's a must. I believe that it is why many do choose to wear them, and if you wear one, you definitely will get questions about it, but it's most certainly not a must. Many, many cultures have traditional men's clothing that does not include divided holes for legs to go into, kilts just seem to be the most commonly known.

I saw several men walking around just last week in Togas...
Middle of the day, not really a party night,
They looked comfortable.

They weren't ashamed to be wearing Togas, they didn't care what I thought, and nobody questioned their greek ancestry.

Also they weren't being razzed about wearing dresses.

My only question is where's the party.

If I see someone walking around in full traditional dress, be it scottish, Spanish, or native american, I just assume they are going to some sort of special occasion.
Be it a cultural festival, or wedding, etc...

If you wear a kilt, and someone you know, use this as an excuse... make something up... I would reccomend starting with a tartan kilt, just so it looks more like a kilt, and let people and you get used to the idea.
Next be ready with some comebacks just for fun.
"Why are you wearing a skirt?"... "It's a kilt, and I wear one whenever I deflower a virgin... By the way where is your sister..." Obviously save that one for someone you know can take a joke.


I'll be honest, I do not own a kilt.
Before I buy a kilt, I will buy the dirk or dagger I plan on wearing with said kilt.
Those who know me, know I will actually use it. and won't ask me stupid questions.
Once your friends accept it, all others will accept it as well... and if they don't who cares?

Originally Posted by Makar

Check your local legal situation and wear one of these with pride (the regimental dirk that is - not the razor placed for size comparison!). It adds a certain edge to ones attitude. This one cut my last wedding cake too. It hangs well at the side of the kilt and the additional knife and fork (both with the cairngorm yellow stones on the front of the scabbard) are fun to use at the table.

cheers
Stephen

haha, the funny thing is, here in Texas I can't wear one of those with my kilt, but it's totally cool to have a handgun instead :-D I don't keep it in my sock, though.