# Hey ladies: what do you think about kilts? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 31, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719 "2016-01-31T01:16:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/41 "2016-01-31T16:51:52Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > I’ve seen way more guys in top hats in my life than I have in kilts. Other than pipers, the only men I’ve ever seen in kilts were male staff at The Tilted Kilt. In these parts, wearing one out and about would definitely be a cry for attention. Attention you most likely would wish you hadn’t attracted. Unless maybe they were these guys, who make your average wannabe Scotsman look like a right ponce: [![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/58659557cc3c61758268dbae71f41475/tumblr_nzavj2pKHE1t54znqo2_1280.jpg) ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/58659557cc3c61758268dbae71f41475/tumblr_nzavj2pKHE1t54znqo2_1280.jpg) [https://pp.vk.me/c619725/v619725265/11fa4/1pC4XpHSyTM.jpg](https://pp.vk.me/c619725/v619725265/11fa4/1pC4XpHSyTM.jpg) … I’ve seen these busking in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. Proper fucking scary they were too. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/42 "2016-01-31T17:07:07Z")
I’ve just washed my kilt, and now I can’t do a fling with it. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/43 "2016-01-31T17:19:38Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Unless maybe they were these guys, who make your average wannabe Scotsman look like a right ponce: > > [Viking, Celtic, Nature stuff: Image](http://40.media.tumblr.com/58659557cc3c61758268dbae71f41475/tumblr_nzavj2pKHE1t54znqo2_1280.jpg) > > [https://pp.vk.me/c619725/v619725265/11fa4/1pC4XpHSyTM.jpg](https://pp.vk.me/c619725/v619725265/11fa4/1pC4XpHSyTM.jpg) > > … I’ve seen these busking in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. Proper fucking scary they were too. This is Beaver County Pennsylvania, not Glasgow. We don’t even have buskers here, really, let alone any who look like that. What we do have are disproportionately high rates of poverty, drug abuse, and crime. This is not an environment where prancing around in a kilt , especially if you are in an area where you are not the right color, will lead to compliments. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/44 "2016-01-31T18:06:26Z")
Woman. I like kilts. I vote, “Yes. Please.” ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/45 "2016-01-31T18:06:38Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I was going to make this a poll, but thought I might cause an influence in positions with my poll choices. > > So, in a free format, what do you think about kilts on men? I think they are fine if you are (a) Scottish. As in properly Scottish, not just having a remote Scottish great grandparent, and (b) at a wedding, or on parade for a Scottish regiment, or at a Scotland International rugby match or busking in Edinburgh to take money off the foreign tourists. Otherwise, it looks affected and attention seeking. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/46 "2016-01-31T18:12:10Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve seen enough kilts that it isn’t that weird. I’ve seen plenty of kilts (RenFaire and SF/F Con veteran, my late brother in law was in at least three different pipe bands) and they are still weird. But more importantly to my feeling of men in kilts, more than half the time (outside of pipe bands) they are worn by guys who give off a creepy vibe and don’t understand boundaries. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/47 "2016-01-31T18:15:07Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Unless maybe they were these guys, who make your average wannabe Scotsman look like a right ponce: > > [Viking, Celtic, Nature stuff: Image](http://40.media.tumblr.com/58659557cc3c61758268dbae71f41475/tumblr_nzavj2pKHE1t54znqo2_1280.jpg) > > [https://pp.vk.me/c619725/v619725265/11fa4/1pC4XpHSyTM.jpg](https://pp.vk.me/c619725/v619725265/11fa4/1pC4XpHSyTM.jpg) > > … I’ve seen these busking in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. Proper fucking scary they were too. I believe that’s Clanadonia, though I always get them confused with Saor Patrol. Tartanic’s costumes are much more colorful. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/48 "2016-01-31T18:25:46Z")
I’m in favor of men with knees. One of the joys of a job based in Glasgow, with a mostly-female team and a couple of guys who had no problem being surrounded by women, was going downtown on Big Game Days “to watch people go by”. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/49 "2016-01-31T18:34:53Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Otherwise, it looks affected and attention seeking. women may like them, but I think most guys would view you like this. You might as well wear your Star Wars PJs in public. I’m pretty tolerant of a wide variety of things, including piercings, tattoos, and even goatees. I have a prejudice against kilts that defies explanation, however. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/50 "2016-01-31T18:42:30Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > What we do have are disproportionately high rates of poverty, drug abuse, and crime. Not so different from Glasgow then. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/51 "2016-01-31T19:08:12Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Not so different from Glasgow then. Except for the kilts. Here we favor meth-head chic. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/52 "2016-01-31T19:48:24Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I’d like to note that they skipped the turn-down stocking and slipper look for the show, in favor of a questionably historic but unquestionably more attractive high boot. Oh, please - assuming the modern “proper” highland outfit is historically accurate is about the same as assuming the average workman or farmer in 1920 wore a tuxedo every day. Back in the day, a lot of authentic highlanders probably wore whatever footgear they could get, which may well have meant going barefoot for some of the poorest. These days it’s considered a formal dress, or uniform, or costume which is different than everyday attire. Anyhow - like a man in a kilt if he’s comfortable wearing it and knows how sit properly/politely in it. Always better if the man in the kilt is likeable in his own right. For the record, I married a man who played bagpipes professionally so I got to see him in kilt a lot. In fact, he wore one to our wedding. So make of that what you will. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/53 "2016-01-31T20:48:58Z")
I’m glad we have you to explain these things, Broomstick. ---
**Author:** ![snuffleupagus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@snuffleupagus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snuffleupagus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/54 "2016-01-31T22:47:10Z")
I think they look cool and would like to see more of them. Not in an “it’s an immediate turn-on” kind of way, but just because they are unique. (although if more men wore them, they wouldn’t be as unique. hmmm…) ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/55 "2016-02-01T06:40:38Z")
I find men in kilts more attractive. I also think they can’t go wrong with a sarong. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/56 "2016-02-01T14:18:24Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It’s as much of an affectation as wearing a cape or a monocle or a top hat. _Hastily changes complete outfit_ The wife seem to like it when I wear a kikoi, which is as often as I can in summer. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/57 "2016-02-01T16:22:15Z")
This > [@Dangerosa](#): > > Nope. Not a good look. Even on a good looking man. My opinion may be colored by knowing a lot of guys who wear kilts and finding it to be sort of an unattractive nerdish affectation for most of them. Still like the guys, but its odd - I don’t go running around in a drindl > > If you need to wear one to march in your pipe band, go for it. But its costuming. Not clothing. Not even in Scotland anymore. And this > [@Loach](#): > > If I were to wear one it would have the obvious effect of having everyone around me think “hey look it’s a guy wearing a kilt.” It’s as much of an affectation as wearing a cape or a monocle or a top hat. And most definitely this > [@Dangerosa](#): > > But more importantly to my feeling of men in kilts, more than half the time (outside of pipe bands) they are worn by guys who give off a creepy vibe and don’t understand boundaries. 20+ Ren Faire veteran (working not just going) here. I roll my eyes hard when I see a guy in a kilt outside of Faire - IME the guys who do it are just…icky. There’s a time and a place for costuming, and wearing it outside of that time & place is a sign that this person doesn’t know or doesn’t pay attention to social cues. Including the all-important “Back off, buddy, you’re in my space and I’m really not interested” cue. Also, utilikilts are ugly as sin. A proper 9-yard kilt can be beautiful - again, worn in the proper context - but utilikilts are just hideous. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/58 "2016-02-01T17:25:50Z")
It doesn’t do anything for me. Outside of contexts where lots of people are wearing kilts, it seems pretty silly. Kind of like a woman wearing fairy wings. Really, any ethnic wear you didn’t grow up with is going to be a bit of a stretch. I have a lovely collection of African clothing and Chinese qipaos, but they are strictly for themed events these days. That said, I do like the idea of men having more options when it comes to clothing, so I won’t be entirely against them. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/59 "2016-02-01T17:48:59Z")
My mother was a piper. A very good one. I grew up attending all kinds of Celtic/Gaelic events. Men in kilts look perfectly normal to me. My last two employers have been Canadian-owned international companies, both with facilities in Scotland. I’ve worked with folks who wore kilts as everyday office apparel. I think that once one becomes accustomed to the novelty of seeing them, they are quite appropriate. Most of the kilt-wearers I’ve known have been fiercely serious people with great dignity. There is nothing chuckle-worthy about a fiercely serious man wearing a kilt. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719/60 "2016-02-01T18:50:05Z")
We have a group of guys at work who wear their kilts about once a month or so. No opinion really except that if you do spend hundreds of dollars on a proper kilt, PLEASE do not pair it with a Hot Topic t-shirt. Really. No. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-ladies-what-do-you-think-about-kilts/744719.md?page=4)