Wearing a Kilt & Explaining You’re Not Scottish 

You know what would be hilarious? USA Kilts should issue a pocket-sized "License to Kilt", signed by a Scottish MP!

'Why are you wearing a kilt?" 'Because I hate underwear.' Mic drop and walk away...

I am Irish-Scottish-American and I am 72 years old. My favorite response without mentioning my ancestry to "Why are you wearing a kilt?" is "I am self-employed and as a result, I do not have a company dress code so I wear what I wish".

"Cool kilt" is the most common shorthand you'll hear from 99% of observers, be you Scottish or American. The kilt isn't a sacred relic you need to defend when challenged but I definitely understand the hesitation. Remember that it's merely an item of clothing, more interesting but no more protected than a pair of denim jeans. I wore a yukata in Japan, a friend's turban to a Sikh music festival, a dishdasha in the Middle East; and was always met with open arms for exploring culture and fully participating. Be brave enough to do what you enjoy. Your world will be infinitely bigger (and more colourful) for the experience. The opinions of those with tiny worlds and tinier minds aren't important.

My favorite response is, balls as big as mine won't fit into trousers

when i first got in to kilts, i was like, i dont know if im part scottish am i allowed to wear it etc. then i learned a bunch and now i got like 15 kilts, so if you want to wear a kilt, do it. its their gift to the world

I frequently get the question "Are you Scottish?" I usually just say no, I just like the kilt and Celtic cultures in general. That is usually enough. I've only encountered one guy who just could not process that. He kept asking questions like "You're not Scottish?", "Are you going to an event?", "Do you play the pipes?". When he left, I could see on his face that it still bothered him that he couldn't find a reason for me to be wearing a kilt.

Scottish people are fiercely patriotic, I find it heart warming when foreigners have interest in our culture. Don't listen to the haters, wear your kilts proudly.

It’s a silly question to be asked. I mean I could go around asking people why in gawd’s name they are wearing sweat pants or pajama pants. That being said my blanket response is “Why AREN’T you wearing a kilt?” I will put that in a tone that I feel is appropriate playful to intimidating depending on how I perceive the question…. although I have a big red beard and lots of Scottish ancestry!

On the positive side, a question could lead to an interesting conversation and a new friend.

Exactly! People need their boxes. I've never fit into any of them. "I have some Scottish heritage, but this is the way I love to dress. I like being different."

The only non-universal tartan I own is MacDonald because I absolutely love it. I've lived in fear of the question of are you a MacDonald for about a year... until last week when I was asked that. I said no but I just fell in love with this tartan when I seen it. Those MacDonalds were absolutely happy to hear that I fell in love with their tartan and were very cool about me wearing the MacDonald tartan.

I'm spanish and I've been asked so often about why I wear kilts because is not common here as you can imagine. For me the conversation is always as it follows: "Why are you wearing a kilt if you're not scottish/we aren't in scotland?" "Why? Why not?/Why aren't you?" The people faces are priceless after that.

I luv videos like this as I've weighed in a couple of times. I just got back from a 30+ day trip to Ireland and Scotland. Loved every second of it ! But being a black man & owning 7 kilts (all universal), you still get the question(s). You guys are spot on with the answer. Sometimes, I feel like explaining that I do have a percentage of Scottish & Irish heritage (due to unfortunate history), but I choose to celebrate it versus ignoring it. Or, sometimes it is I just like kikts & they are comfortable. But, sometimes, in the back of my mind, it's just f!*k off & it's none of your business !!!! Having been over there gave me a new appreciation of the heritage & culture, no matter how it came about. My rule of thumb is to be kind, until it is not time to be kind anymore..... Thank you for all the great videos & info !!!! (And per your advice from your video(s) I did not take/wear any of my kikts over there, but we did make a visit to the Lochcarron factory where my friend did order a bespoke kilt...)

I get asked what the special occasion is when I'm wearing a kilt. My go to answer is typically "it's Wednesday and I'm not scheduled to be at work, so I have chosen not to wear pants".

I think in most cases, since kilts are uncommon to see outside of cultural events like highland games or dancing, people just carry the presumption that if you're wearing one that you're celebrating your own family culture. They also probably don't know much about tartan and presume they're all representative of a clan, so that's what they ask: "Are you Scottish? What's your clan?". In most cases it's a curiosity and an invitation to share and converse, not an accusation (though they might be a little confused and not know what else to say if you tell them you don't have any Scottish family history).

I hate “Boxes”, good for you 🙃

I've never had anyone be obnoxious about my kilt wearing. On the contrary it's mostly been compliments with (very) occasional odd look. I loved Rocky's comeback! Another that might work is from a very nice Southern lady I used to work with (from Mississippi). She could say Bless Your Heart in so many different ways. One of them meant Eat S__t and Die! All without being in any way rude! Sometimes it took people a minute or two to get it! So practice saying "Well bless your heart" in that special tone of voice!

Reminds me of a cold opening of a Mad TV episode. The cameras are on the top half of the castmember (Phil Lamar?) wearing the traditional ancestral clothing of his West African mother. For the punchline, the camera drops to wearing a kilt, the traditional clothing of his father.

Well done on your responses! I'd tell them to eff off. "Why do you care?" is my attitude and often my response. At approaching 80, I no longer willingly suffer fools, busybodies, and pests.

For me, this is how it usually goes: Nice little old lady: “Are you Irish?” Me: “Nope.” (I wonder why the first question is about being Irish; I figured it was a Scottish look.) Lady: “Are you Scottish?” Me: “Nope.” Blink Blink Me: “I’m comfortable.” For bonus points, she’ll ask me about my bagpipes.

Really mess with them and tell them you’re a kilt leg model! 😂😂😂

Paraphrasing Hamlet´s monologue and the end there was gold. I´m coming back from depression, and I made it a habit to consciously note my first laugh of the day. Today, it happened at your channel.

I'm Scottish and it doesn't bother me if someone who is wearing a kilt isn't Scottish. If you are from Scottish lineage and wearing as part of your family's cultural history then that's great, but it's not a big deal if you don't. A love of the culture, or even the garment is enough. Why be the same as everyone else.

I'm a Hiberno-Scott (as opposed to scotch/Irish) Born & living in Ireland. I hike all summer in the Kilt. Sometimes people do ask & I just say, No I'm not Scottish. I'm a 'Stewart' but say that if bare the Name then I can wear the Plaid. Thank you for all the tips & insights Guys - Eireann is Alba Go Bra!

I'm of scottish heritage, but if I am confronted by a jersey I smile and tell them it's so the boys get plenty of fresh air.

I think the line from The Princess Bride would be good (when asked about his mask) " Oh, no, it's just they're terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future."

The one that get's me is from guys, "So what ARE you wearing under that thing," or "Are you actually going commando?" Really...THAT is the question you want to ask another guy? But sometimes I think people are so thrown by seeing someone in a kilt, they're brain...sometimes alcohol-soaked...is quickly scrolling through the rolodex of questions or remarks and that's the one that clicks first!

I love the utility kilt. I have had some ill comments about the kilt. But my response is, you need a big set of (manhood) to wear a kilt. This is said only if they piss me off.

When someone whines at you for "appropriating" a culture you want to honor and celebrate, remember this: Just because someone takes umbrage doesn't mean you were throwing shade.

I find it fun to leave them questioning. Ambiguous answers can be enjoyed at the right time. 😊

I was at the store the other day, wearing a utility kilt (gasp!), Doc Martins and a black t-shirt. The cashier asked me if I drove a motorcycle. 😂 I've been asked all kinds of things while wearing a kilt, but this was a first. I just laughed and said, "No, but I look like I do!" I do have long hair and a long beard, so it's not too far off from the stereotype.

How about, I'm a closet cross dresser and a kilt is the easiest way to get away with being one LOL! I had the honor of touring Scotland and fell in love with the kilt and I'm just starting out as a kilter and hope to increase my collection from my 1 kilt to many.

I'm hispanic but have always wanted to wear a kilt for YEARS. I found out recently I have Scottish ancestry although its only a small 5 percent...I figured that's something 😂 so I think I'll finally go for it.

I am a piper. I am often in a kilt. Just last weekend I was getting a coffee in a convenience store and a guy wanted to talk heritage and clans. It's not my thing but I did humor him a bit.

Erik, I would have done what Rocky suggested and told the guy, "Meeting you, I now perfectly understand why the Scots hate the English so much."

Boxes are paramount for some people to focus and function better. They just need more boxes as they expand their life experiences.

I'm English but I've lived half my life here in Ireland. I wear a utility kilt for walking/hiking and working at Festivals. I have very distant Scottish ancestry and it does show up in my DNA but the main reason I wear it is I just like it.

Went to a big music fest over the weekend, wore my kilt a couple of days, had nothing but good comments from ppl, there was quite a few other guys in kilts too so that was cool, on the one day I didn’t wear my kilt saw a guy with his kilt on backwards, went up to him and said I like your outfit but your kilt is backwards, he argued it wasn’t, so I just said ok have a nice day. Saw him later with it turned around the right way though lol. Any opinions on correcting a “kilt mistake”, I feel like having it backwards is pretty much the only mistake you could make with a kilt, everything else is just “you do you”

I’m often ask that question, I’ve used multiple replies but the most successful has been “no, not Scottish, haven’t you ever heard of serial kilter?”. A laugh ends to encounter.

Because I'm an American. I do what i want. Not even an ounce of Scott in me. Mostly Scandinavian. Granted, its a Utilikilt. And its the best thing i ever wore.

the only reason pants even exist is mounted combat. since no one is riding a horse into combat anymore, it's not like pants are a necessity these days anyway.

Comeback to why we wear kilts: I don't want to confuse your wife/girlfriend, she's never seen me with pants on.

The worst 'kilt' moment i got was wearing a RAMC tam when skiing at Lake Tahoe. The bleeding idiot kept yelling about hating the French (???). Fortunately, didn't have to do a face to face. But, some don't get it. BTW a nicely done MOD tam looks great in ski tac.

Put it this way. If you come to Scotland and buy a kilt you will be asked if you have Scottish (or Irish) heritage out of genuine interest but you won’t be criticised if you don’t.

Because of my burnsides I have been asked if I’m Scottish when wearing a kilt.

Interestingly enough, I have never gotten push back wearing old Japanese clothing of haori (over jacket) kimono/montsuki (top) & hakama ("riding" pants)! But as a practicing Martial Artist of multiple Japanese weapons, I guess I get a pass. Being of large stock may also be perceived as intimidating. Not yet ready to take the kilt plunge though, but I have not ruled it out either.

I want to be stereotyped and classified. 😂😂😂

Me: No, I'm a German Englishman. But I think kilts are cool. After a hommina-hommina minute I tell them that my family came to America before the Pilgrims got to Massachusetts, so I probably have some Scottish ancestors that swam laps in my gene pool.

I like it.

I've got ~40% Scottish heritage on my mum's side, mixed with French, Irish, English, and German taking my dad's side as well into account. I'm trying to figure out which clan's kilt to buy first among Anderson, Harden, Henderson, and Maxwell. Those are the four I know I have ties to.

How about the controversy about wearing the Black Watch tartan? Just discovered my ethnicity. Primarily Scottish. And Welch. Very small amount Irish. Been doing a lot of reading. And looking into.

I got a kilt recently, but don't wear the socks. I do shave my legs though, and while no one has asked if I'm Scottish, some do have an interest in phone number exchange. 🤣🤣🌈

Do you play bagpipes? is my most often asked question.

Nealry all of us scots don't care if you wear a Kilt and aren't scottish. We only say do it with respect and don’t go for the cheal crap you find in tourist shop's. Some would say if you aren't scottish go for a universal tartan, not a clan tartan.

Problem for me. I am part Scottish on my mom's side. I had thought it'll make her sorta proud on getting a kilt myself. Apparently, if I wear it. I'm disrespecting / misrepresenting her side of the family. I have no idea why...

I love that you're partaking in our culture and heritage but making our Culture universal for everyone cheapens it! It's ours! You can enjoy and respect it, but we are proud of it because it's ours and ours alone. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Married into the Douglas Clan, our children are half Scottish and half Irish, so smoke that in your pipe.

+USAKiltsOfficial *Thanks for the critic perspective.* The Greater Germans are served with, I estimate, six universal Tartans, including the new Nordic Heritage. (I count Normans in Great Britain, Eire, and Normandy and Brittany (FRA) as among the Greater Germans.) Celts of all regions in Europe are served with eight (would Galicia (ESP) were codified with a unique sett available in Modern and Weathered). Coordination between Tartan (for a five-yard and matching Windsor tie) and Tweed (for vest and hose) is an art. As of May 2023 no Tartan Ties are available in the Heritage setts - a minor inconvenience.

I just tell people I'm a mutt, and I like the fashion. :shrug:

Why are you wearing a kilt? Because I want to. Why aren't you?

...EVERYBODY is Irish on St. Patric's day...and Scottish the rest of the time...just wear it...

Im scotish and you guy wearing kilts is very funny.

What do you expect from a heathen Sassenach?

Lads, this might be a dose of unlooked for reality. But its an odd thing to wear and people asking why youre being strange is to be expected. In Scotland unless youre at a wedding or something theres no social context for why youre wearing a kilt. In the US... come on pour some cold fizzy water on your head. People are rightly going to wonder what youre doing

I eat Chinese food every week. I'm not even Chinese. It's just yummy goody. 😇