[QUOTE=PaulParkhead]
Is a kilt useful for fencing? I mean, I’ve never fenced and I’ve never worn a kilt but the garment wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice for protection if I were to engage in swordfights.
[/QUOTE]
Depends on what kind of fencing we are talking about. It was pretty effective in helping me pick up chicks at the fair, which was the whole point. 
-XT
Here’s a picture:
Haven’t a notion, as I said it all seems a tad made up to me.
Hey, where’s the option for “I’m Scottish AND a girl but wanted to vote anyway”?!
Yeah, think that was my fault. Seem to remember I killed it by getting snarky at someone, when actually it was me who’d been a bit vague and misunderstood. I’ll just blame sleep deprivation…
Yup, made up. The Scottish Register of Tartans seems to be fairly new; many of the Irish tartans were designed by Viking Technology Limited–owned by Tartanweb. Here’s Galway’s–with “colours based on the County Heraldic Arms.” I’ll bet that visitors to Scottish shops (online or real world) wanted a “meaningful” souvenir–probably a scarf rather than the full outfit. And I’ll bet they sell more to Irish-Americans than actual Irish.
Anyone can register a tartan. Some of the modern ones are restricted–like this gaudy thing…
I have, although it was as an usher in a wedding in Scotland (Aberdeen, to be particular).
I don’t think I’d wear one here in Texas even at a wedding; that’s a little too much on the ren-fair geek side of things for me.
I’ve got a couple Utilikilts, and I’ve also done the full nine yards of (non clan) wool variety at Faire. Those are “fun” to assemble, especially in a tent, or next to a hotel ice machine since the room itself did not have enough clear floor space to pleat the fabric, much less do the “human burrito” impersonation.
I’m half Scottish and wouldn’t. If word got out to the Scottish side of my family, or even worse if they saw me do it, they’d probably lynch me.
I would never use a kilt for fencing, as there is absolutely no protection for the knees, but for women a long skirt of broadcloth or serge can be wonderful for catching rapiers and smallswords and tangling them up while you either finish your counter-attack or riposte. I know this from experience.
I guess if you’re using a “wimpy” foil, or fencing sabre with a skilled opponent who won’t hit you off-target (except on purpose), then it probably doesn’t matter so much. I don’t like bare knees with epees though.
I have, at my sister’s wedding which also happened to coincide with the hottest day of the freakin’ year :eek:.
Even after soaking in a cold bath (for an hour) before dressing I wasn’t spared from the heat those thick woolen socks, kilt, waistcoat and jacket retained. I stuffed my sporran with tissues to wipe the sweat from my brow and offered some out to older relatives.
I am only slightly Scotch through a great-grandfather’s marriage.
But I own and wear several kilts.
Including a Utilikilt, a modern dress kilt and a phili-beg.
Well, that’s just a silly question. The clan system was specific to the highlands.
The highlands…
…of Ohio.
Hey, I am from Summit county.
An uncle was in the SCA. I borrowed his greatkilt a couple of times.
This is exactly my view.
The whole “clan tartan” thing is phony. It was invented by garment manufacturers to hike sales.
Indeed, in the early 19th century. The colours and patterns before that were more regional than clan, depending on what the local weavers were making, and what dyes were available.
We need a “rasberry” smilie.
I’m not usually one to care about, or certainly comment on, what other people wear. So, I keep my opinions quiet, except at times like this when people like the OP are asking. In my opinion, men wear kilts as some kind of “look at me, I’m not afraid to be weird” statement more than because they’re “comfortable” or “fashionable.”
Well, I’d make an exception for, say, bagpipers or members of a Scottish infantry regiment and the like.
But some random guy in Portland? Yup, a kilt says “I need attention.”