Kilt, McGregor tartan

5-yard kilt, sewn in Scotland. 13 oz. wool.   
McGregor tartan., Mill: N. Batley.    


Men in kilts


Who will wear a kilt?

No valid statistics exists, but from kilt forums and the like it is my impression that men in kilts demographically on most criteria (age, civil status, family size, education, and income) will resemble men in general. Accordingly, the main difference between men in kilts and men in general is - the kilt.
They have just found out that wearing a kilt makes sense to them.

By the way, kilt wearing has nothing to do with sexual preferences. I mention this, because ignorant people often question such things and will connect everything they don’t understand – which can be pretty much – with sexual deviating.


 

Why wear a kilt?

If not part of a national dress or a garment to be worn in order to honour Scottish heritage, what then could make men, wish to wear a kilt?
There are numerous reasons of which the following seem to be the most important:


1. The kilt is probably the most comfortable manly garment available

Just think of anatomy. Should clothing be invented from scratch it is likely that rest rooms signs should be interchanged, because trousers would be the primary choice of women (they already are), whereas skirted garments should probably be preferred by men, because of anatomy and a lot of jobs no longer requiring them.

 

2. The kilt is versatile

A casual kilt, for example, can with a few accessories be upgraded to rather formal functions, not possible with blue jeans or shorts. In most European countries a kilt can be worn year-round. At temperatures between -3 and 30 C it is perfect.
In winter, your knees are uncovered, but they aren’t cold. The kilt itself with its four to seven meters of fabric, as well as the kilt hose, will keep the remaining parts of your legs efficiently protected against coldness. Your only problem might be all the people freezing in their trousers asking you if you are not cold.
In summer the kilt is protecting against heat - and sun. In fact, on most days you’ll feel more comfortable than when in shorts.

   

3. The kilt is different

The manly wardrobe might not be the most inspiring thing the world has seen.

 

4. The kilt looks good

This is my opinion. And it might be yours too.

 

5. The kilt provides a lot of variety

Thousands of tartans are available, and the kilt itself shall make a splendid addition to your wardrobe, because you no longer have to wear trousers all the time.

 

6. You stand out from the crowd

- even if by far less than you might fear - or hope for.

 

7. Health aspects might apply

- again, due to anatomy and form follows function.


Is it true?

Under my kilt
Underwear banned?

Underwear is not banned, at least not in private life. In kilted Scottish regiments underwear was (still is?) not a part of the uniform and accordingly forbidden to wear. It is said that sometimes, at assembly there were inspections by means of a mirror on a stick. If underwear was seen in the mirror the soldier would be punished. Today a selfie stick had been the thing to use.

Going regeimaental in kilt.
Scottish soldier, Hong Kong, 1997.


Wearing the kilt as a true Scotsman is therefore called going regimental or commando. And yes, to quite a few, it is true. As a matter of fact:

Four out of ten men in kilts are going commando
What is actually worn under the kilt has been revealed in a 2016 YouGov research.
According to this, 55% of men in kilts will wear underpants, 38% are going commando, and the remaining 7% are wearing something else. Suggested are shorts, tights, and leggings. But probably also kilt liners. They are to protect the kilt against the wearer while he is still having the feeling of going commando. You may read more about kilt liners on the page Kilt accessories.

Whatever your choice you better keep it to yourself. If asked - and you will be, believe me - my advice is to never give a definite answer.
The uncertainty about the "secret" may very well be the reason why the kilt is still so very much alive!


Under my kilt
All you need to say.



Why don't more men wear kilts?

They are not men enough. They are afraid of not being regarded manly. They are narcissistic, thinking the world should go into pieces, should they be seen in a kilt. Or they are afraid of the kilt police.


Does a kilt police exist?

O yes. It consists of narrow-minded men zealously watching every man wearing a kilt and whom they shall rebuke, should he dare deviate the slightest from rules, or worse, should he not know them.

Fortunately, they are extremely few, are self-appointed, and with no possibility to punish the offender.

Fotunetely, it is most unlikely that you should ever meet such a guy, at least when you keep away from highland gatherings and the like. I have only read about them.

More seriously, however, is that an imaginary kilt police may exist within the heads of many insecure kilt wearers or potential kilt wearers, making the first category overdress, which, in fact, might draw considerably more attention to them, than had they just worn a kilt and a few accessories, and or causing them to wear their kilt too seldom. The imaginary kilt police no doubt also scares away many potential kilt wearers from starting to wear kilts in the first place.


Page revised 2024, June 2.
"

Next page


Kilt in Spain

Webmaster's kilt story


Learn about the webmaster and his over 25 years as a regular kilt wearer. Why did he start? And how about acceptance from his wife, family, friends?



What to find on the Dress2Kilt site?



Every man can wear a kilt, anywhere, anytime

Kilt, Caledonia Tartan

How about a kilt?

Every man can wear a kilt - no need to be Scottish. Whenever YOU feel like it, and appropriate, replace your jeans or shorts by a kilt. Learn about how to take the step. .
Verschiedene Kilts

Men in kilts - Q & A

Who will wear a kilt? Why wear a kilt? Where and when? What shall other people say? Is it true? Get the answers to these and many other questions.
Kilt, Holyrood Tartan

Webmaster's kilt story

Learn about the webmaster and his over 25 years as a regular kilt wearer. Why did he start? And how about acceptance from his wife, family, friends?
Kilt

You in a kilt

If you should like to wear kilts, why then not just order a kilt, and start wearing it in pubic? Learn how to handle surroundings and mindset yourself.
Kilt

The kilt - is it a skirt?

Never call a kilt a skirt when talking to a Scotsman. But is it? Well, but what difference does it make? Learn about what it takes a skirt to become a kilt.
Kilt

Which kilt for you?

The all-purpose kilt does not exist. Which kilt shall best fit your needs? You may be surprised that it might be quite a lot cheaper than you had feared.
Pakistani kilt

Where to buy a kilt?

There are hundreds of kilt vendors and makers on the internet. And it can be a jungle to find out. Learn where to find good kilts in various price segments.
Kilt

Get the measures right

Probably you shall buy your first kilt online and have it made to your measures. Find out how to get the measures right. It is easier than you think.
Kilt accessories

Kilt accessories

Which accessories should you buy for your kilt and which to avoid. Don't get ripped off on things you don't need. For casual wear they must not be expensive.
Kilt

Kilt on!

You have just received your first kilt and some accessories. Learn how to handle all the unfamiliar things.
Kilt

To mind when in a kilt

When in a kilt how about staircases, sitting and sitting down, wind, and people eager to see what you are wearing under it? Learn how to deal with it.
Utility kilt

Utility kilts

A utility kilt can make an excellent alternative or a valuable addition to the traditional kilt. What should you know about utility kilts?
kilt variants

Other kilt variants

Kilts can be solid coloured. Also, instead of wool or PV, the fabric can be tweed. Or how about a kilt in a nice camouflage pattern, or denim, or leather?
Skirts

Skirts

Could you as a man wear a skirt? Under circumstances you can. Dedicated man-skirts are on the market, or you can have a skirt designed and made for you.
Kilt

Kilt 24/7/365

Let’s be realistic; most likely, you cannot wear a kilt or a skirt 24/7/365, even if you should want to. But many days a year you can. Learn more about it.


Galleries

kilt variants

Introduction

The gallery section - structure,objective, and techique
Tartan kilts

Tartan kilts

Traditional style. 35 pages with kilts in 35 different tartans.
Solid kilts

Solid kilts

Traditional style.Kilts in black, forest green, and light green. 3 pages.
Utility kilts

Utility kilts

Eight pages showing eight different utility kilts.
Skirts

Skirts

Two pages featuring man skirts.
A mix of kilts and skirts

The Braveheart Way

A mix of manly skirted garments.


Links

Kilt

Links #1

Vendors of kilts and accessories, tartan mills, and tartan finders. The most comprehensive links page for kilts on the internet.
Kilt

Links #2

Vendors of utility kilts, sarongs, man skirts, unisex skirts, and other skirted garments.
Kilt

Links #3

Kilt and skirt forums, non-commercial home pages, blogs, picture galleries, videos, articles, men in kilts and skirts on stage and on the catwalk.


What's new and back to start - choose your language

Kilt

What's new?

At a glance, find out what is new, has been changed or has been deleted on the D2K site since your last visit.


Copyright © 2007-2024 Greman - greman@dress2kilt.eu - Sitemap