Brief kilt-related conversations

[Charlie]

I was at our folk-dance club last night, wearing a black corduroy Union kilt (as I usually do).

While queuing for a drink at half-time, a woman behind me remarked to her friend that 'you never see kilts in the shops'. I said to my wife afterwards that you won't see kilts in the high street until they can pay their way on the racks.

During the last dance (Sybil's Roundabout) where you're constantly changing partners, my current partner said she'd read that trousers fit women better, and that kilts were better for men because they allow more movement. I nodded yes, then she was gone and I had a new partner. Where she'd read that I've no idea, but it was an interesting remark out of the blue.

At a dance last week, I was asked 'Irish or Scottish?'. 'Neither,' I replied, 'I'm from Bristol' That floored 'em I didn't get time to explain why the kilt, but they now know that you don't have to be a Scot to wear a kilt

Charlie

[Colin]

The kilt certainly encourages conversation in these situations. Either "why are you wearing a kilt", or even on a couple of occasion, "why aren't you wearing a kilt today, Colin, is the weather too cold?"
The day after Scotland won the rugby match, I was stopped in a shop, congratulated on the kilt and asked if I was a Rugby fan. I apologised that I wasn't specially interested in Rugby, but felt comfortable in a kilt and if ladies can choose what they wear, why shouldn't we men be free to choose?. I am sure a few other people in the shop heard the conversation.
Roll on the summer, when I tend to go out more and meet more people.

[crfriend]

At a dance last week, I was asked 'Irish or Scottish?'. 'Neither,' I replied, 'I'm from Bristol'

I love it!!!!

Well done!

[Departed Member]

At a dance last week, I was asked 'Irish or Scottish?'. 'Neither,' I replied, 'I'm from Bristol' That floored 'em Charlie

Yes, unreserved congratulations, for sure!

That's the first time (I think) that I've seen anyone in Britain asked if they were "Irish" in relation to Kilt-wearing, it generally seems to be a USA (mis)conception. Outside of the military (or the odd pipe band), I've still yet to see a Kilted gent in either Eire or Northern Ireland, unless worn by a visitor to an International Football (or Rugby) match - which is a shame! My next visit to the Emerald Isle will be my 40th, so who knows?

[mugman]

I have been asked by a neighbour, who I bumped into in town, if I was Irish as a second attempt after the inevitable 'Scottish?', to which I still replied 'Nope'. And then he said 'Oh, I see.' I'm not sure what he meant by that, but I added you don't have to be Scottish to wear a kilt, and we got onto other topics.

[Milfmog]

The last time I was wearing a kilt and someone asked me if I was a Scot I looked the questioner up and down and replied "No; are you a prospector, a cowboy or do you have another excuse?"

The guy looked down at his denim clad legs and said "Oh. Fair cop!", grinned and wandered off into the shop.

It made my wife laugh, until she realised she was wearing jeans too...

Have fun,


Ian.

Edited to correct typo. Ian.

[Raakone]

Milfmog, you remind me of...myself. On a few occasions when I've been wearing a sarong, I've been asked "why are you wearing it if you're not Polynesian?" And then I say "I sometimes wear jeans, but does that make me a cowboy?"
~Ra'akone

[Peter v]

The last time someone ask me if I was a Scot when I was wearing a kilt I looked the questioner up and down and replied "No; are you a prospector, a cowboy or do you have another excuse?"

The guy looked down at his denim clad legs and said "Oh. Fair cop!", grinned and wandered off into the shop.

It made my wife laugh, until she realised she was wearing jeans too...

Have fun,


Ian.

Great answer,

I am inclined to react "I could wear jeans, but that's too feminine. "
Although that is only partly true, at the moment of answering a question it may be sharp enough.

Peter v.

[sapphire]

Now, now, Peter v, let's be fair about this. To paraphrase your signature line:

A woman is the same woman in a pair of pants or a skirt. It is only the way people look at her that makes the difference.

Certainly, if I saw someone wearing a plaid kilt, I would ask if there was an group or association that the plaid represented.

If there was, I offer some words of respect, if not, I'd just say "Kilt on!"

[JRMILLER]

I was asked once while wearing my kilt, my reply was "yes, MacMiller". That left the guy scratching his head.

[SkirtDude]

deleted

[ChrisM]

This summer my family and I will be taking a week-long walk in the Cotswolds.

Shall I pack a kilt skirt?

I have several kilt skirts - all of them in fact ladies skirts in tartan colors. Will they be 'found out' by the locals and disapproved of?

I do also have one Pakistan-sourced polyester Black Watch kilt. In the case of this garment we exchange the "it's a real kilt, not a lady's skirt" for it being of cheap-and-cheerful quality.

Of course, I am not asking for sartorial counsel per se, really what I'm asking for is a thumbnail sketch of the culture of the Cotswolds. Never been there. Not sure I can even find it on a map. (Guess I better improve on that before I fly over!)

All in all, we'll be in the UK about three weeks.

Thanks,

Chris M

[Big and Bashful]

Well last year I spent a week on the Welsh canals, I wore my kilt the whole week, only a few comments, none bad. Ok mine is a real kilt but hardly anyone would spot the difference outside Scotland.
Don't know the Cotswolds but I would think it will be similar.

[sapphire]

I honestly do not think you would have a problem wearing a kilt skirt in the Cotswolds.

I visited the region years ago. It is a quiet place of great natual beauty and friendly folk, even though we were a rowdy group of American bicylists.

If you can locate the city of Bath to the south and Stratford-Upon-Avon or Woodstock, draw a line from Bath north to either town, you roughly describe the ridge of the Cotswold Hills. If you have the opportunity to visit Bath, by all means do.

We cycled north from Bath to the aforementioned towns along the ridge road, first laid down by the Romans. But, beware of the ridge road, the Romans laid down a road paved in iron, now covered in asphalt. Not a good place to be in a thunderstorm!

Just a few memories: Tetbury has the most unusual market building, if you know where to look from Tetbury, you can see the estate of Highgrove, owned by the Royal family. Sudeley Castle is a treat. If you stay in Woodstock, it is a short walk to Blenheim Castle.

You are going to love your trip!

[Sarongman]

Bath BATH!? I beg your pardon, give it the old name of Aquae Sulis and remember to make some oblations to the God "Sulis"a celtic god honored by the Romans when they founded the town. Oh, and watch out for cohorts of armed and armoured men in short red skirts. Nasty when crossed!