# It's a shame the kilt isn't a mainstay in men's fashion **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 23, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131 "2012-07-23T13:55:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Recusant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@Recusant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recusant)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/61 "2012-07-24T22:18:07Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > However, currently the cons of wearing a kilt outweigh the pros. A woman may like to look at a man in a kilt, but would she want to be seen with a man with a kilt in a non-Highland Games situation? Would she feel upstaged, or be “that gal with the weirdo boyfriend,” or mistaken for a fag-hag? It’s as simple as that. I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t think it is that simple. While it’s entirely reasonable to take into account the concerns of the people you’ll be out with, that’s a far cry from removing a whole category of clothing from your wardrobe entirely. There’s more to life than getting (or keeping) a woman (or man). It may seem (and indeed may be) reasonable to restrict your expressing yourself in certain situations, but there’s a difference between keeping your mouth shut and taping your mouth shut. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/62 "2012-07-25T00:08:20Z")
If you do wear a kilt with briefs, be sure to wear a dark pair. Few things are more distracting/ disturbing than a flash of tightie-whities. (Proud occasional kilt wearer. As an old fart I am allowed many eccentricities. However, my older daughter’s current boyfriend also owns kilts. The nuts don’t fall far from the tree, to turn a phrase.) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/63 "2012-07-25T02:10:53Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I’ve worn my Utilikilt to many dopefests, once got a photo with 20 bottles of ale in all the pockets! in your face, pants!.. And you ROCKED, bro! ---
**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:** [July 25, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/64 "2012-07-25T03:02:56Z")
> [@Scubaqueen](#): > > Here is the reason that when I rule the world, men can wear kilts any damn time they please… > > [http://trustyourtennant.tumblr.com/post/11367793196/so-thats-david-tennant-wearing-a-kilt-now-you](http://trustyourtennant.tumblr.com/post/11367793196/so-thats-david-tennant-wearing-a-kilt-now-you) > > 'scuse me while i wipe the drool off my keyboard…😃 Rowwwwr! Even if he’s a bit thin for my taste he is a good looking man. I confess a weakness for a man in a kilt. That might have something to do with my spouse wearing one at our marriage. And other times. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/65 "2012-07-25T03:16:31Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Traditionally, the kilt was worn over a shirt made with long tails that covered the buttocks and genitals and thus served as a sort of underwear. Some shirttails could even be buttoned between the legs as a kind of precursor to boxer shorts. > > Most guys I know who wear kilts say that even with underwear, they’re more comfortable and less restricting than shorts or pants. Wrapping up your crotch in one light and/or loose layer of cotton underwear would naturally be less confining than wrapping it up in underwear **plus** a trouser-type garment. Right, the whole idea of it being authentic to go commando is silly. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/66 "2012-07-25T03:55:13Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I feel sorry for you men too namby-pamby to ever be “caught dead wearing a kilt”. I wouldn’t be caught dead waring one because I think they look ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/67 "2012-07-25T12:46:38Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I wouldn’t be caught dead waring one because I think they look ridiculous. I dare you to say that to [This Guy.](http://www.google.com/imgres?q=highland+games&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=qB2&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1546&bih=861&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=oI_XshsCn9ny5M:&imgrefurl=http://www.edinburghstagparty.com/stag/highland_games.htm&docid=HJPWgBFY9covgM&imgurl=http://www.edinburghstagparty.com/images/highland_games.jpg&w=192&h=300&ei=XeoPUKTmMY-y8ASk4oCwAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1123&vpy=405&dur=2124&hovh=240&hovw=153&tx=90&ty=98&sig=112799797352957460640&page=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=102&start=0&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:31,s:0,i:237) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/68 "2012-07-25T12:56:20Z")
To be fair, there’s nothing wrong with simply finding a particular clothing style personally unappealing. Some people don’t like the look of high-waisted jeans, some don’t like the look of boots with shorts, and some don’t like the look of kilts or skirts on men. Okay, whatever. I do think, though, that our perceptions of what “looks ridiculous” are heavily influenced by current fashion conventions as well as by our individual tastes. Fifty years ago, almost every American would have sincerely thought that long hair or an earring on a man “looked ridiculous” (or worse), but nowadays it’s so normal that it doesn’t even register with most people. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/69 "2012-07-25T13:06:47Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > I dare you to say that to [This Guy.](http://www.google.com/imgres?q=highland+games&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=qB2&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1546&bih=861&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=oI_XshsCn9ny5M:&imgrefurl=http://www.edinburghstagparty.com/stag/highland_games.htm&docid=HJPWgBFY9covgM&imgurl=http://www.edinburghstagparty.com/images/highland_games.jpg&w=192&h=300&ei=XeoPUKTmMY-y8ASk4oCwAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1123&vpy=405&dur=2124&hovh=240&hovw=153&tx=90&ty=98&sig=112799797352957460640&page=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=102&start=0&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:31,s:0,i:237) I’m not sure I’d say it to his face, but he does indeed look ridiculous. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/70 "2012-07-25T14:41:13Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m not sure I’d say it to his face, but he does indeed look ridiculous. IMO. I am not sure he would care one way or the other what you think. the generic “you” of course. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/71 "2012-07-25T15:14:59Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > No…teenagers and twentysomethings who refuse to grow up take their fashion cues from African-American teenagers. If African-American teenagers are responsible for the ridiculous, unflattering, long shorts that have been in style for the last several years than I’d say there’s a larger group than teenagers and twentysomethings who refuse to grow up. How is it less masculine (or dumber looking, for that matter) to be seen wearing a skirt than a pair ofwhat essentially look like [womens gauchos](http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&biw=979&bih=431&tbm=isch&tbnid=1nAKa4eBMHNq6M:&imgrefurl=http://www.thisnext.com/browse/gaucho-pants/&docid=e1ERvrCgmuJBrM&imgurl=http://s5.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/4070E546.jpg&w=300&h=300&ei=-wwQULeOHYaA9QSl_oGABg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=199&vpy=81&dur=594&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=115&ty=130&sig=107201900366172767359&page=2&tbnh=113&tbnw=113&start=18&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:18,i:200) ? ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/72 "2012-07-25T15:56:03Z")
> [@Fly\_Sparge](#): > > Though it isn’t observed as “Men’s fashion”, I can tell you that I get more compliments when rocking the kilt than the guy standing next to me with the Armani suit on. I would be drooling over both of you. Actually, I’d probably be thinking about taking both of you home. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/73 "2012-07-25T18:10:52Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > I dare you to say that to [This Guy.](http://www.google.com/imgres?q=highland+games&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=qB2&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1546&bih=861&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=oI_XshsCn9ny5M:&imgrefurl=http://www.edinburghstagparty.com/stag/highland_games.htm&docid=HJPWgBFY9covgM&imgurl=http://www.edinburghstagparty.com/images/highland_games.jpg&w=192&h=300&ei=XeoPUKTmMY-y8ASk4oCwAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1123&vpy=405&dur=2124&hovh=240&hovw=153&tx=90&ty=98&sig=112799797352957460640&page=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=102&start=0&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:31,s:0,i:237) If you’re participating in Highland games then a kilt doesn’t look ridiculous. If you’re working construction, coming into the office or going to the movies then the kilt just looks ridiculous. Lederhosen looks great at Octoberfest but rather silly in most other contexts. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/74 "2012-07-25T18:17:45Z")
No, no, it’s really not a shame. I couldn’t even look at a man in a sexual way that wore a kilt. Plus, men having even easier access to their penises is not really a good thing. On top of that, fanny packs are stupid-looking, and a deal-breaker in and of themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/75 "2012-07-25T21:38:18Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > If you’re working construction, coming into the office or going to the movies then the kilt just looks ridiculous. _De gustibus non est disputandum_. I think it looks super. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/76 "2012-07-25T22:06:27Z")
I’ve worn mine at the office. Nothing but positive response, and the expected jokes. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/77 "2012-07-25T22:18:01Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > If you’re participating in Highland games then a kilt doesn’t look ridiculous. If you’re working construction, coming into the office or going to the movies then the kilt just looks ridiculous. Lederhosen looks great at Octoberfest but rather silly in most other contexts. No, they look silly at Oktoberfest, too. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/78 "2012-07-25T23:32:41Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > … > Nobody is going to see me in 40 years and think I was really stupid to decide to wear a kilt. The photographic evidence of my mulletted pink-izod parachute-pant past would disagree with you…😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/79 "2012-07-26T00:00:00Z")
Sincere question: If the lack of fabric cuts down on chafing, why do most women wear shorts instead of skirts when jogging or working out? Or does it only cut down if you go commando? ---
**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:** [July 26, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131/80 "2012-07-26T00:58:20Z")
Chafing has as much to do with the cut/fit of the garment as with how much fabric. As for working out and jogging… you’re much less likely to accidentally flash someone your crotch-bits during activity if you’re wearing shorts rather than any type of kilt/skirt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-the-kilt-isnt-a-mainstay-in-mens-fashion/629131.md?page=5)