On my morning bus journey to work yesterday I opened up the Metro, the source of all that is important in the universe, to an unnerving discovery. Needless to say, I was a little taken aback…A true Scot wears underwear?
I’ve lived in Edinburgh for almost 12 years, this is my home now, and I feel Scotland has welcomed me with open arms. I know there are many purists who argue that a non-Scot should not wear a kilt but I do and I enjoy it. Ironically, however, I'm becoming something of a purist too.
“Wear a kilt with underwear? That’s absurd!”
Funnily enough, I found myself involved in a discussion just last night about this topic with two friends of mine, who happen to be Scottish. They both wear underwear with their kilts! While listening to this revelation I somehow managed to hide my surprise and ok, they did make a couple points… but “underwear? Really?!”
So what do you think? Is commando the only way to go or is this trend of wearing something underneath about to take over?
Commando or not?
Check out the article below and let me know what you think.
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By BEN McCONVILLE, Associated Press Posted: Wednesday, November 24, 2010
EDINBURGH, Scotland - A true Scotsman is said to never wear anything under his kilt. But now Scots are being warned the sartorial tradition could be both indecent and unhygienic.
The organization charged with maintaining standards in Highland dress has backed kilt-rental firms who say the age-old custom of "going commando" has got to go.
"We are saying please use common sense and decency, as it can be unhygienic and it can be offensive," Brian Wilton, of the Scottish Tartans Authority, said Tuesday. "If you are out and about in a kilt then remember to show some decorum.
"If you are hiring a kilt, then wear underwear because some of them are left in a horrible state."
The tradition comes from the clansmen warriors of the Highlands who wore little but long kilts that wrapped around the shoulder. The Scottish military took up the idea, and Scots regiments still parade sans underwear to this day.
"My father was a sergeant major in the army and used to clip a car mirror on the end of his pace stick and held it under the kilts of his men to check they were suitably undressed for parades," Wilton said.
Wilton also offered etiquette advice for anyone meeting a man in a kilt: Don't ask too many questions.
"Really, you shouldn't ask a Scotsman what he wears under his kilt." he said. "Imagine the offense you would cause if you were to ask the same of a woman."
To bare or not to bare, divides opinion.
Ian Chisholm, of the Scottish Kilt Makers' Association, said "it's traditional to go without and there is nothing wrong with it."
Howie Nicholsby, of innovative tailoring firm 21st Century Kilts in Edinburgh, has worn only kilts for the last 14 years and does not own trousers. He agrees underwear is often an asset.
"In my line of work I am very active and the capacity for wardrobe malfunction is endless," he said.
"Men feel pressured not to wear underpants because of this macho culture we have around the kilt. It is silly as you really should wear underpants if you're hiring a kilt.
"But the best thing to do is buy your own - then you are free to do what you want."
By BEN McCONVILLE, Associated Press Posted: Wednesday, November 24, 2010
EDINBURGH, Scotland - A true Scotsman is said to never wear anything under his kilt. But now Scots are being warned the sartorial tradition could be both indecent and unhygienic.
The organization charged with maintaining standards in Highland dress has backed kilt-rental firms who say the age-old custom of "going commando" has got to go.
"We are saying please use common sense and decency, as it can be unhygienic and it can be offensive," Brian Wilton, of the Scottish Tartans Authority, said Tuesday. "If you are out and about in a kilt then remember to show some decorum.
"If you are hiring a kilt, then wear underwear because some of them are left in a horrible state."
The tradition comes from the clansmen warriors of the Highlands who wore little but long kilts that wrapped around the shoulder. The Scottish military took up the idea, and Scots regiments still parade sans underwear to this day.
"My father was a sergeant major in the army and used to clip a car mirror on the end of his pace stick and held it under the kilts of his men to check they were suitably undressed for parades," Wilton said.
Wilton also offered etiquette advice for anyone meeting a man in a kilt: Don't ask too many questions.
"Really, you shouldn't ask a Scotsman what he wears under his kilt." he said. "Imagine the offense you would cause if you were to ask the same of a woman."
To bare or not to bare, divides opinion.
Ian Chisholm, of the Scottish Kilt Makers' Association, said "it's traditional to go without and there is nothing wrong with it."
Howie Nicholsby, of innovative tailoring firm 21st Century Kilts in Edinburgh, has worn only kilts for the last 14 years and does not own trousers. He agrees underwear is often an asset."In my line of work I am very active and the capacity for wardrobe malfunction is endless," he said.
"Men feel pressured not to wear underpants because of this macho culture we have around the kilt. It is silly as you really should wear underpants if you're hiring a kilt.
"But the best thing to do is buy your own - then you are free to do what you want."
Since posting this I've had another Scottish mate admit to me that he wears underwear too. Is this a huge conspiracy? What's going on?
ReplyDeleteI imagine it has less to do with conspiracy, and more to do with the cold draughts. Well, Howie also has a fair point regarding the "wardrobe malfunction." LOL.
ReplyDelete