For some reason never suitably explained by my parents, they seemed very nervous of letting their 6 year old offspring walk around with a small dagger shoved into the top of his sock! Spoilsports!
Even now, looking back at the old black and white photos – yes, it WAS that long ago – I get a thrill of seeing myself dressed like that.
Why?
Because it was different, unique and – dare I say it – I looked damn good! (I seem to remember it made a huge impression on my fellow official for the occasion, the bridesmaid called Candy, a curly blonde haired girl a year older than me. I have a misty memory of her asking her mom why i was wearing a skirt!)
A kilt nowadays plays a much larger part. Beyond the more well known kilts of Scotland with their heritage of history behind each unique Tartan design, comes the Kilts of Ireland and Wales in family crests or solid colors.
With society relaxing it’s own strict and nonsensical ideas of what is right and what is wrong, more men are coming to wear kilts, enjoying the uniqueness and freedom such a garment gives.
It is now more common to attend company dinners, awards and opening nights and spot one or two men dressed in kilted splendour.
Indeed, a whole new industry is beginning to grow – assisted by the internet with it’s ease of ordering and choosing – where new styles, designs and ideas of the traditional kilt are being tested and reworked.
For example, you can now buy kilts in camo pattern or kilts with pockets either side as opposed to the standard requirement for a sporran.
As for me and the kilt – as I get older and less worried about what other people think of me, the thoughts do stray to when I was 6 years old and how proud I felt dressed in such regal splendour.
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