# Would you wear a kilt if you were not Scottish? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 3, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287 "2012-01-03T20:15:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/1 "2012-01-03T20:15:10Z")
Inspired by this thread, > **[Would you wear a sari, even if you aren't Indian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=204889)** > > I love the look of the sari, but I don’t have the guts to wear one (for 2 reasons… The first being I’m not Indian, and the second that I’m not happy with the way my body looks right now.) Would any of you wear a sari out in public? Why or why not? ... Would you wear a kilt in public if you were not Scottish and a man? For the purpose of this question, you are Scottish if you have any ancestors whose families hailed from Scotland. Let’s not play games here - use a common definition. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/2 "2012-01-03T20:17:38Z")
My dad was a Shriner. I made fun of him in his kilt, but if I ever joined those guys, yes. Yes I would. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/3 "2012-01-03T20:19:50Z")
Where’s the “no” option? Or did I get whooshed? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/4 "2012-01-03T20:21:32Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Where’s the “no” option? Or did I get whooshed? Reported for poll modification. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/5 "2012-01-03T20:26:15Z")
I already have. I own a few different kilts and they are very comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/6 "2012-01-03T20:30:20Z")
No. Outside of a Scottish context they just look stupid. I’ve seen guys wearing them here in Portland (not the tartan plaid, but some sort of “urban sombrero” notion), and they look ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/7 "2012-01-03T20:36:35Z")
I have no Scottish ancestry at all. I’ve worn a kilt at a Renaissance Faire. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/8 "2012-01-03T20:37:33Z")
I’ve worn one a few times but not in a formal setting, kind of a joking party thing. I will definitely be wearing a kilt formally for my daughter’s wedding, whenever that may be considering she’s only 14. (I was born in Scotland, so I get a pass.) ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/9 "2012-01-03T20:39:47Z")
Added “no” to poll. —Ellen ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/10 "2012-01-03T20:43:34Z")
A Bmalion question if ever I saw one! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/11 "2012-01-03T21:00:36Z")
Well, I am partly of Scottish ancestry and I don’t wear a kilt. I also am of German ancestry and don’t wear one of those helmets with a spike on the top. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/12 "2012-01-03T21:02:13Z")
Nah, I make a point of never pretending to be anything I am not. ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/13 "2012-01-03T21:09:03Z")
If I ever get around to competing in the Higland Games I’ll wear one. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/14 "2012-01-03T21:40:54Z")
Yes, I have worn one. BTW, kilts are not just for those of Scottish heritage, some evidence points to the Irish also wearing them. Main difference being the Irish went for solid colors, not plaid. Here is a [link.](http://www.irishthunder.org/irish_kilt.htm) I have worn a [utilikilt](http://www.utilikilts.com/) for some Appalachian Trail hiking, and also some construction work. Very comfortable!! ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/15 "2012-01-03T21:53:47Z")
If you’re talking about a Scottish kilt, then under no circumstances would I wear one. I’m English, but lived in Edinburgh for 10 years and there is nothing lamer than seeing English transplants laying ersatz claim to this great Scottish garment\* at weddings and such like. Fortunately, the awesome kilt is appropriately balanced out by the truly fatuous Bonnie Prince Charlie outfit that accompanies it at formal events. Thus equlibrium is maintained. \*Albeit introduced by the English IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/16 "2012-01-03T22:07:15Z")
I’m a girl. But part Scottish, and I wouldn’t because they are really ugly. But I’ve worn other traditional garments in public before, including a sari. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/17 "2012-01-03T22:11:50Z")
Kilts are at least semi-popular among the Hash House Harriers; I’d consider wearing one to a hash myself, if utilikilts weren’t so danged expensive. But $200+ for what would be, for me, a novelty garment, is rather more than I’m willing to pay. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/18 "2012-01-03T22:19:39Z")
I’m female, and I have two Utilikilts. I used to wear them at gaming conventions. They were quite comfortable. They don’t fit me these days, and I don’t really have much occasion to wear them in “real life.” I suppose I should sell them. But several guys I know wear them, and they look great. They look among my friends seems to be black kilt, black T-shirt (usually with the logo of some industrial band or anarchic cause) and combat boots. I like the look a lot. (ETA: I didn’t pay anything like $200 each for mine, btw. This was many years ago, and I think they were around $100 each.) ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/19 "2012-01-03T22:36:37Z")
Sure. I never have and probably wouldn’t buy and wear one all on my own but I would be amenable to it, should the circumstances arise. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287/20 "2012-01-03T22:38:09Z")
I don’t have anything philosophically against kilts, but I’ve never been tempted to wear one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-wear-a-kilt-if-you-were-not-scottish/608287.md?page=2)