Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

General discussion of skirt and kilt-based fashion for men, and stuff that goes with skirts and kilts.
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hairy
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Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by hairy »

Why is it that kilts have to be so heavy? Utility kilts are made of very thick denim with loads of buckles and rivets. They have yards of material. Getting in and out of cars wearing a utility kilt and trying to pull all the pleats in before closing the door can be a laugh. I find wearing kilts defeats the object of comfort so I have only one for the colder months. If I wore it all the time it would last longer and be cheaper than jeans, but I just feel its like men have to wear heavy stuff to show they are men. To me that's just daft, and I can be me in whatever I'm wearing, but still heavy kilts don't feel right somehow.
I've managed to find an alternative and that a billie kilt. These are normally made for women but they suite me far better than heavy, black weighted down mens utility kilts.
I think I've just had a little moan.
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RichardA
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by RichardA »

I hear what you say, but the “billie kilt” looks so wrong, yes kilts are very heavy if they are the full 8 yards of material, I have a light weight 5 yard kilt that I call my “summer kilt” it is made out of 10oz weight instead of the normal 13 and 16 oz.
For the kilt to look right it has to have deep pleats and have free movement, if not just buy a tartan skirt.
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denimini
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by denimini »

I have a few pleated wrap skirts but have avoided the "mens" kilts as most are too long and many display all the conservative and drab attributes found in "mens" pants. Exceptions are the pink kilt displayed here sometime ago and the traditional tartan kilts, which are great for those with that heritage.
Luckily we can buy clothes that are not specifically designed for men. :)
Anthony, a denim miniskirt wearer in Outback Australia
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by moonshadow »

I'll see your rant and raise you 3 more and a jab at the lousy (downright English) weather we're having! :wink:

Because chicks dig it... and that's what it's all about... the game of sex.

and as everyone on this site should know by now, a vast majority of men need that reassurance that it's "for a man". If it's soft and actually comfortable it's for sissies (or so they say) :roll:

A lot of men do wear kilts, I see them all the time, especially in the summer months, although this year seems to be the year without a summer. It looks like we're going to go from spring to fall so I really haven't seen any guys in kilts this year.

But anyway, as more and more people found out I wear skirts, from coworkers to mom, it seems the big goal was to get me out of skirts and into kilts so I can be a "normal man" and everyone would be comfortable around me again. To hell with that! I generally avoid kilts for the same reason that's in this threads title... they look too masculine and I don't think I have the body or persona to pull one off.
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trainspotter48
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by trainspotter48 »

Like Richard, I have a couple of 5 yard lightweight 'casual' kilts that are acceptable to MOH - critical point, that!
I have found one that is apparently not clan-specific that is described as 'Grey Granite'. Unfortunately, other than some of the common 'clan' colours, the only other choice seems to be black.
I'm not ready for pink, but the chance to have maybe a stone/khaki colour, or even one of the softer denim (sorry Carl) fabrics in a non tartan cloth would be good.
Part of the problem is that a kilt needs the double front apron and pleating in order to work properly, but a lightweight 5 yard works in what we in the UK call summer (generally, the rain's warmer!).
A heavier 8 yard (with the long kilt hose) works well in the winter.
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hairy
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by hairy »

I see I'm not the only one fed up with our British weather, Its not good having bare legs with the low temperatures we've been having, and I don't wish to cover my legs when skirted.
I also see I'm not the only one who don't like the masculine look of the kilt. If a bloke is six foot tall the normal 24inch kilt would be well above the knee. I'm a shorty of just 5ft 6inch, so a normal kilt swamps me. I got good legs the wife and daughter says so too, so I don't need to hide them.
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by Sinned »

I have only one kilt that MOH bought me and have only worn it once and compared to all the other skirts I have IT. IS. HEAVY. I am not considering buying any more. TBH I really couldn't be pestered maintaining all the pleats so prefer skirts even if they are considered women's wear. I did think about making a Utility Kilt or two but I'm glad that my natural tendency for procrastination dominated because I would now just make them wrap skirts, i.e. a kilt without the pleats. Easier to make, easier to launder and easier to maintain. As for a masculine kilt, I think that this is an oxymoron, as it only appears masculine because we have been conditioned to think it masculine. Social conditioning that's all. Take the pleats out as I would do and it becomes by definition a skirt but the appearance is not that much different to a kilt so why should it then not be considered masculine. Let's call the kilt what it is - a skirt. A specialised style maybe, such as a-line, pencil, skater, but a skirt nonetheless. I think that even MOH deep down thinks that a kilt is a skirt, even if she would have difficulty admitting it.
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by Uncle Al »

A kilt is generally worn 2" above the natural waist.
At 24" fell, it hits me at mid-knee and I'm 6' 2" tall.

Yes, getting in & out of a car can be troublesome,
but with practice you will eventually have no problems.

A KILT IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK MASCULINE :!:

I'm not slender by any means(280LBS) but my kilts work
fine and I always get compliments when wearing one.

I have 5 kilts, 2 Utilikilts and 3 Still Water Kilts.
All are machine washable. I hang them, using
skirt hangers, to dry over night. Never had any
problems.

A made-in-Scotland kilt, out of wool, needs to be
dry-cleaned. The cleaners will keep the pleats
intact.

Sounds like you're going about it, the wearing of a
kilt, the wrong way. Once you get used to the kilt
everything else falls into place, becoming quite
natural in your behaviors.

Yes, a kilt can be quite warm, but even here in Texas,
the lighter weight poly-viscus material can be warm.
YET - the wind beneath the kilt is quite refreshing :oops: :D

Uncle Al
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Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
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Fred in Skirts
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by Fred in Skirts »

Uncle Al wrote:Yes, a kilt can be quite warm, but even here in Texas,
the lighter weight poly-viscus material can be warm.
YET - the wind beneath the kilt is quite refreshing :oops: :D
Uncle Al
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The wind beneath my skirt is definitely not refreshing as it can burn your eyes out! :hide: :rofl: :hide: :sorry:
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Uncle Al
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by Uncle Al »

Not THAT :oops: kind of wind, Fred :twisted: but the
kind found on a windy day or even a brisk walk.
Do watch out for any sidewalk air vents. They
'can' be refreshing but could turn into something
like this:

Image
(Marilyn Monroe - Movie - The Seven Year Itch)

That is one of the MAJOR reason kilts are heavy :!:
(You don't want a winter North Wind on bare legs)

Uncle Al
:mrgreen: :ugeek: :mrgreen:
Kilted Organist/Musician
Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by crfriend »

Uncle Al wrote:(Marilyn Monroe - Movie - The Seven Year Itch)
What nobody talks about is that the breeze from such vents is likely to be well over 100 degrees (F) in the summer and not pleasant at all. BTDT, and picked up the pace substantially to get away from said vent, much to the amusement of my companions at the time.

In the winter, it's a bit better and somewhat warming, but in summer the sensation is, I can assure you, rather dreadful. I now steer well clear of the things in summer.
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Grok
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by Grok »

Why? Probably because kilts have traditionally been mens wear. And the utility type garments are intended to be the blue jeans of kilts.
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by DonP »

I prefer to look masculine, at least in my choice of outerwear. That is why I wear kilts and not skirts. I agree that kilts are generally heavy and warm, but there are alternatives that make them acceptable in warm weather. I have a hiking kilt that is lightweight nylon and a 5.11 kilt that has fewer pleats which makes it lightweight also.
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hairy
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by hairy »

DonP wrote:I prefer to look masculine, at least in my choice of outerwear. That is why I wear kilts and not skirts. I agree that kilts are generally heavy and warm, but there are alternatives that make them acceptable in warm weather. I have a hiking kilt that is lightweight nylon and a 5.11 kilt that has fewer pleats which makes it lightweight also.
I wouldn't want to look feminine, and I'd find that difficult with biker beard and leathers. I just don't like HAVING to dress masculine, with chains and buckles on utility kilts.
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Re: Why do mens kilts have to look so masculine

Post by Grok »

The garments are what they are.

What is needed is needed is different options, with kilting being just one.
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