Spring has arrived and so has a bit better weather. Over the last few months I admit to not wearing my kilt as often as I used to. Wet and cold conditions are not good for a kilt and wool as well as acrylic does not smell good when wet. Just get a whiff of your dog after it stays outside awhile! So during the winter I tend to wear trousers more often, especially at work.
However, the rest of the year provides more opportunities to wear them and now that spring is here, weather is warming up and less wet...I'm donning kilts more often. As I wore my kilt at work for the first time last week (a college campus), one person asked me why I did it. Why do you wear a kilt here in America? And while I could take offense at someone asking such a question, it really is a legitimate one and deserves an answer. So....here is my response!
Heritage! Pride in my heritage and ancestry that hails from Scotland. My family lived, fought and died there for many generations and that is something strong within me as a human. No, I was not born there but since when is that a prerequisite for wearing a kilt, or for anyone of celebrating their heritage no matter where they or their family hail from? It isn't, plain and simple.At this moment I can count many hundreds of family members in my tree from Scotland and within that, various clans as well. This is what made my family what it is, on both my paternal and maternal sides. Having it on both sides means even more to me, more of that blood!
So heritage is one reason I wear the kilt. The second would be it's comfort. They are very enjoyable to wear and extremely comfortable, especially in the heat. Pants are so confining and can be simply suffocating to my legs. Some fellas call them "leg prisons"! Maybe this is why the trend to "relaxed fit" has been so popular in that the legs have room to move a bit. Well, in a kilt they ALWAYS have plenty of room and one never has to worry about busting a seam or stitch when bending down or over. Sure, one needs to remember a bit of discretion when doing so with others around. Unfortunately we live in a society that has a major issue with seeing the human body in any form of undress and kilts, skirts, dresses are usually worn with that in mind. Watch the exposure!
I have nice legs, I am unashamed to say that. As a runner,cyclist and long distance walker, I have worked hard on them and enjoy showing not only them but the ink I have .So while the quote at left is really meant to be funny, there is a wee element of truth to that. Show off the legs we have! We do it all the time in shorts, bathing trunks. But a kilt has not fabric between the legs thus making it a lot easier to move and even run! After all, the Scots had to wear them while running after those retreating British troops!!
When wearing a kilt, people are just going to stare. No matter where one goes, they will always attract attention, sometimes unwanted but most of the time, neutral or positive. And while kilts, skirts and longer gowns of all sorts are worn round the globe by men, depending on location and culture, America has this problem with other forms of clothing that do not conform to theirs. As if they are scared. Some of it is a fear of the unknown reasons , some is homophobic (unfortunately, this is true) and others just think it odd to NOT be wearing blue jeans, which are the #1 style worn by Americans.
A quote I have always appreciated was by Dwight Eisenhower...
Now, granted, the kilt is NOT a uniform for the most part, though troops from Scotland did indeed wear them as part of their uniform in both world wars and before that for a few hundred years.But the sentiment is indeed similar in that when you put on a kilt, you accept that certain inhibitions will occur, and take the gamble, the risk of others saying things, asking things. Some questions will boggle your mind and would NEVER be asked of a woman or other men in trousers for that matter. Yes, it can be uncomfortable when confronted with these and sometimes downright embarrassing. But after a few weeks and experiences, these fade and it gets a lot easier. I'm always gracious (well, try to be) and take the time to educate others on kilts, the history and my heritage. Most are gracious but occasionally rude and ignorant pople turn up to say something derogatory. Fortunately, it is not very often. The always present "What are you wearing under your kilt?" is almost always the first one. Well, I have many ways of answering depending on whom is asking and how. One shouldn't just ask that as it is still a bit rude no matter whether it is a woman asking a man in a kilt of the vice versa, which would be horribly invasive and wrong . Not sure why Americans think it is ok to ask a man in a kilt that, but perhaps the lore and legend of it gets their curiosity going. Either way, I deal with it in a kind and calm manner. Usually.As a side point also...a kilt simply looks great!! All the colours, tartans, accessories!! Yes, men get to accessorize as well!! :-P Kilts look fashionable to many as well.
Lastly, a huge reason I prefer to wear my kilts out in public...
So many people want to be like someone else, to wear their clothes, to be like them. And I do indeed understand the reasons, which sociologists know well...so they blend in, don't attract attention. Well, for me , I followed that reasoning for many decades and decided in 2012 to start dressing how I wanted to, in the form and manner I felt proud of, comfortable in and that spoke to me. A kilt is one part that does it!! Sure, i wear jeans and trousers when i need to , for certain occasions and love to wear running gear during really hot weather. A kilt is not always the best in all situations. but, it serves me well in a LOT of them and I shall continue to do so until...I decide not to! :-P
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