Unpopular Opinions about Highland Dress & Culture?

What constitutes “doing it right”?
Rocky and Ally chat about their respective “unpopular opinions.” Spoiler alert - this gets into gatekeeping. Especially when it comes to women’s Highland Dress and SPORRANS.
Ally the Piper’s channel: / @piperally
Ally’s Linktree: linktr.ee/piper.ally
* Tartans in this video:
Rocky: American Dream
www.usakilts.com/kilts-and-pa...
Ally: Kilts & Culture
www.usakilts.com/gallery/12-o...
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Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.
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[@Bridgercraft]

My unpopular opinions: A kilt doesn't look right without a sporran and shirt should always be tucked into the kilt, never untucked.

[@kd0r]

My GP pretty much told me to ditch the billfold in the hip pocket. I already had a tiny one to begin with. Once I followed her advice, my back issues went way down. Another great reason to wear a kilt and sporran. 🙂 David

[@mirandawarner6866]

I watched the NY Tartan Day Parade. I noticed that many of the drummers in the pipe bands turned their sporans to the back, over the right hip. Brilliant. Still in appropriate dress, but the sporan is conveniently out of the way for drumming while marching. Love it. ❤

[@jmatt56]

That's sort of a band standard

[@randallfletcher4051]

I wear my kilt a little longer about knee length because my legs are horribly scarred and it's easier to wear longer kilts than to have to explain how I got hurt

[@Booger414]

I generally agree on the cream or white hose, but for a long time my best pair was a cream pair, that was a much thicker knit, almost like a fisherman's knit than the usual hose. I loved that pair, only wore it formally and was quite sad when they wore out. I got my first colored pair when I was I a color guard and wanted something darker to wear with white spats.

[@therangersrespite]

You should absolutely sell a t-shirt with Rocky's face on it that says "Rocky will judge you".

[@darrellhendrix5502]

Wear your kilt as it suits You. I do my best not to have my outfit look like a costume but i dress up and down depending on where i am and what i will be doing. If you are comfortable you can wear your kilt in all stages of dress up and look good. If you are not comfortable you tend to stand out for reasons that you dont want. I have Scottish heritage, don't know the clan if any, but it is not why i wear a kilt. As long as i am not being purposely offensive then i don't consider it anyones business but my own. I remain open to advice so as not to look like a clown but have no desire to be told how to dress. I wouldn't wear a casual kilt with a tee shirt and runners to a Burns supper but neither would i wear a prince charlie to the beach. If you think that kilting has ridgid rules then follow them but don't try to be the kilt police. Above all enjoy the experiance.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@willcheatham1772]

I just want to say, I think a sporran is more of a Scottish Fannypack, then a man purse.

[@Tizzy204]

that's exactly what my stepdaughter calls my sporran. for the record I'd be fine with either, while 20 something me might have died being associated with a purse of any kind, 40 yr old me's give a crap broke a long time ago and that's just way too simple to worry about.

[@richkestrel7416]

I'm new to wearing a kilt, and I'm just doing a Utility Kilt as I have no clan affiliation. I wear it only to Celtic events - St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Celtic Festivals / Highland Games, and yes... to a Robert Burns Night. Having said that, I _do_ want to wear my Utility Kilt properly with all the appropriate bits-n-bobs, showing all due respect to the culture. At the end of the day, I don't want to look like I'm wearing a "costume". So Here's how I wear my kilt: Black or Olive Utility Kilt with a long sleeve Henley (no Jacobite Shirt!), dark-ish Kilt hose and plain flashes, a Sporran, either black dress shoes (Robert Burns Night) or some low-to-mid boots (typically Merrell Moab 2). During hot weather, I will wear a plain, colored t-shirt (not white... usually black or gray)... I am in Texas after all. I don't wear a Sgian Dubh as it feels like they are really only for more formal / authentic dress. Does this sound reasonable? *Respectful* ? Non-"costume"y?

[@Algernir]

Sounds reasonable to me. I will add that you don’t need a clan affiliation to wear a tartan kilt. I have affiliation with clan Stuart but I would also feel fine wearing the US Army tartan, the Tartan for my state, or any of the universal patterns.

[@relicpathfinder2800]

For a les expensive sporran. I bought an organizer for a fanny pack, it has Velcro on the back. I then took some Velcro (the opposite side type) and some good it in the sporran. I now have a way to organize some things.

[@dylanneely91]

One of my favorite memories is wifey running up to me with the biggest most childish grin wearing her new sundress. Like a small child she yell "LOOK!!!" Shoves her hands in her pockets. "I have pockets! And theyre so beeeeeeg!!!!" So long story still long I smile when I hear the pocket conspiracy, but only because of cuteness overload not because I don't agree 😂

[@djturnz]

She can wear a biker purse every day. It's basically a sporran that clips to two belt loops.

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

For convenience I wear 2 hip pouches daily while working, (drive truck). But in my off time I like my sporran, completes the look. My pet peeve is doing a Monroe do to the wind!

[@Time_Lord_Council]

Thank you, Erik, for chiming in and saying what we were all thinking about the sporran. "It's a purse."

[@CoreyBrass]

My unpopular opinion...kilts need to evolve and include pockets. I know I can buy kilts with them in it but the quality usually seems lacking. At a minimum I wish your casual kilt had a pocket on the interior apron for my wallet.

[@maxwellfan55]

Understand your wishes but filling pockets with cash, phones, bulging wallets, phone, keys etc would completely ruin the line of the kilt. So it's a no. Wear a sporran. Job done.

[@CoreyBrass]

@maxwellfan55 everything you just said is 100% true for pants too. 🤷‍♂️ I personally don't like leather slapping my dick all day as I walk. I don't like having to remove everything from my sporran, then the sporren itself every time I go into a building with a metal detector. I don't like that I have to worry about my car keys, change, wallet or whatever I have in my sporran scratching the shit out of my screen on my phone. So as you can see it isn't problem solved... some of us apparently have slightly more complicated lives than others. As read more and more comments it seems clear to me that the sporran is the problem most of us have with kilts in our day to day life. It clearly has been the article of clothing associated with kilts that have aged the poorest as well.

[@jamesthompson545]

Ally love that hair tint! 2:13

[@jf73f80]

I'm with rocky on this one a sporrans is a must.

[@normalplayer7377]

What about this: - Balmoral Cap with Badge - Polo Shirt - Kilt - Belt - Kilt Hose - Flashes - Boots

[@maxwellfan55]

But not hi-ankle boots.

[@Molach101]

My opinion: Women can wear virtually everything that can look dated or costumey on men. That goes for jabots, Montrose doublets, lace cuffs, buckle brogues, also trews look better on women than men

[@Molach101]

@@HarpUpPipeDown Absolutely, couldn't agree more. Also potentially one of those full beards like a Scottish soldier in the Crimean War

[@la_old_salt2241]

​@@Molach101 I've been known to sport such a 🫡

[@jmatt56]

@@HarpUpPipeDown I tried that once. My wife made me get rid of it. She thought I looked like a slaver

[@gatechsailor]

Highland/Jacobite shirts look ridiculous 🫣 Same with Rocky on kilts being too low.

[@mingrui1862]

I love her hair❤🥰

[@jacobite1757]

As a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, in a Highland Regiment, (The Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, The Black Watch), our issued kilts, (in 16oz wool. Great for Canadian winters), always had a kilt pocket ion the inside apron. It was practical for keeping any number of things that you want to keep secure and private.

[@briantaylor9475]

The Angels' Share Scotch Whisky Tartan is beautiful!

[@calebwhiteknives]

Sporran is by far the most practical daily-carry accessory ever invented, by whomever. Full stop. It's like the perfect pocket...that you can keep your snacks in, etc., and take off whenever you want! Perfection.

[@richardwhite3924]

When I am wearing one of my utilikilts, I rarely wear a sporran since I already have two pockets and will sometimes wear a t-shirt or polo shirt and do not always wear kilt socks but I always wear a sporran, kilt socks and a dress or grandfather shirt when wearing one of my kilts.

[@NinjaNezumi]

SPORRANS FOR ALL! VIVA LA SPORRANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@NinjaNezumi]

IF you want one.

[@markchriestenson3257]

At our wedding, my wife wore white hose/nylons because it was concerned as per tradition, was a show of purity, which she was. The same white hose idea used at weddings could be the same theme? I don't know, that might be a stretch ;-)

[@madisennicolekirkpatrick5964]

I am a female, and i have 7 sporrans. I have a midi kilt and 5 yard wool kilts. We can rock it too, and we love accessories

[@JR-bj3uf]

Fly Plaid: Don't. Just Don't unless it's your wedding day.

[@goetzlisa]

Pockets! More pockets! You ever try to enter a museum security or a sports event! Men walk through, but someone must search through a woman's personal things! Or at dinner, there is no place to put a purse.

[@aldontheelf4267]

Sporrans are a must!

[@jeffreywall4818]

When I wear jeans, I wear an ankle IFAK [individual first aid kit] which contains Quilclot gauze, a 2 pack of vented chest seals, an SOF tourniquet, EMT sheaars, nylex gloves, a black Sharpie with duct tape wrapped around it [to. hold the Quikclot gauze in place once packed ito a wound] , 2 tampons [for bullet holes and yes it hurts a lot when they are shoved into a bullet hole] and a small treat size zip lock bag with a slection of bandaids. Obviously I canna wear that wtih a kilt. So when kilted I wear a sporran with wallet, phone, glasses, challenge coin & a couple of gold dollars etc. but I wear a trauma kit with the conetnts noted above in belt pouch on my hip.

[@Kandraith]

I like the look of the off-white almost yellowy-brown colored hose. WHITE hose, look awful imo, just like white crew socks with shorts just looks wrong.

[@maxwellfan55]

1. Agree. Yep, white or cream hose absolutely sucks. Won't wear, not now, not ever. 2. I've said this before. LEAVE the girls alone. Sporrans look fine on women. They are essential practical items which can be worn over the front apron or at either side. Drummers and guitar players frequently do this when kilted, as necessary. 3. Rocky, I disagree. Buckle shoes not only look amazing, but they are AUTHENTIC wear for Number One dress (pipers), also Prince Charlie or similar kilted formal dress. Get with it laddie! Point of fact.... I have just had a cobbler fit a pair of fine antique silver buckles (in chased thistle pattern) to my pipers brogues, replacing the cheap pressed chrome buckles. These are now pride of place in my shoe wardrobe. I anticipate much attention. 4. Agree. Mini kilts on (slim) women look awesome. Strictly mid-knee for men. No excuses guys. 5. Random comments; a) Kilt hose is never worn at half mast. Ankle-length hose is out of the question (Rocky!)🤭 b) Grossly overweight people in kilts look ridiculous🤨. Men and women. If you can't lose sufficient weight, don't wear a modern kilt. Trews with braces, or a loosely worn Great Kilt is acceptable. c) Get your leather sporran "worn in" asap. Cheap, stiff looking sporrans look like you're wearing a cheap suit🤗. d) Highland dress is not complete without a bonnet, particularly if you are bald🙄. e) The girl on this page should be a regular, her perspective counts😇.

[@AtarahDerek]

As far as tartan and formal kilts go, I think they need a sporran. Even my kilt-shaped purse has a sporran (it's very cute). Casual, non-tartan kilts, especially utility kilts, don't require a sporran, imo. Although if you're willing to meet someone at Weehawken over it, I'd recommend your opponent wear a sporran, since it's an excellent place to keep extra bullets.

[@MarcelGomesPan]

I always end up hoarding old reciepts, tickets etc in my sporran. I only really use it for my keys and card. It is interesting what people think is… ”kilty enough” ( like wearing a sporran ). My sister, for instance does not like solid coloured kilts ( saffron, tweed, any of it ). Yet, both solid colour kilts and wearing them without a sporran has a base in history ( thinking of Ireland here ). I have to admit a sporran looks good. My own unpopular opinion might be that i prefer hose with a kilt, even if they are rolled down. Ordinary socks just look…small. I also prefer rather thick hose. Just my personal taste though. I would love to order cream hose, buckle brogues and a Buchanan, or perhaps sheperds check kilt…on the bias….on a rainy monday. … when everyone is hung over. 😂

[@la_old_salt2241]

Ooh, that's mean!

[@cameronsmith6755]

Always a sporran, but a belt pouch when hiking. Shirts always tucked in. A sash that matches the kilt with a large shoulder brooch makes a more eyecatching outfit and gets positive remarks from the ladies even though it may not be formally correct. Besides, when you find the right lady, you can give it to her to wear traditionally!

[@ZebraCake]

2:17 Totally missed opportunity for an Outlander joke. The gems are for travelling through the stones!

[@BCSchmerker]

+USAKiltsOfficial *Thanks for the stylist perspectives.* I don't see why men's vests can't be made southpaw for women; your new Midi- and Maxi-Kilts suit all but the full figures that are more appropriate for Aboyne spencers and ruffled, rather than plaited, skirts. _Sporran_ to blend in with the Tartan would be _more_ appropriate for the lasses than the lads. I consider kilt pins optional but Windsor ties on the Blauer midshirt essential. For my preliminary suit - as of 24 April 2023 I stand 5'11¼" (1.81m) tall and weigh 165# (74.8 kg) - I'd purchase a Tweed vest with matching wool back, 40" short (preferably in Charcoal); a 16Z five-yard 30"Wx35"Hx23"L with 2" belt, day _Sporran_ and large rump pouches (preferrably in German Heritage); Piper hose to match the vest; and a Windsor tie to match the five-yard. Ideal buckle for the belt would be an antiqued U. S. Army officer model or equivalent, as it corresponds to the obverse on the Great Seal of the United States of America. Should I run into an event requiring Argyll, I'd get a Hunting _Sporran_ with a pan-German shield of a specific design corresponding to the _Гchmerker_ trade-name.

[@martinmorehouse9645]

There is no US Army Field Manual AR670-1 governing the wear of the kilt, so I say wear what is appropriate. I don't use a sporran when walking, just a belt pouch with my ID and house keys.

[@PhilipCrichton]

I've worn "fanny packs", belt pouch, etc for decades and call them my sporran, which is historically and etymologicallly correct. I hate crap in my pockets especially wallets cutting off the circulation in my butt when sitting on the damned thing.

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

Another accessory - Polo shirts from "PSYCHOI BUNNY"!!

[@karlr750]

I believe that black Oxford dress shoes (rather than ghillie brogues or buckle brogues) are perfectly suitable to wear with a Prince Charlie.

[@Molach101]

Get a decent mirror shine on the toes and they are absolutely appropriate for Highland black tie

[@kiltedpatriotatheart]

I disagree with Rocky's unpopular opinion... I want a pair of buckle brogues!!

[@melbeasley9762]

I don't know the young ladies name but why doesn't she wear a utility kilt which has pockets?

[@christina3512]

100% on board with sporrans for women! I bought myself one last year, and I'm never carrying a purse at a games again! I do wish someone would make just slightly smaller adult sporrans because I'm tiny and want something more decorative than a kids sporran, but that's just me.

[@USAKiltsOfficial]

Kids sporrans come in 3 sizes. The largest size is about 85% the size of a full adult sporran.

[@briantaylor9475]

Sounds like a product line expansion opportunity:

[@christina3512]

@@USAKiltsOfficial yes, but the adult ones are usually much more decorative. Kids' sporrans are (understandably, since they're intended for a market that will grow out of them) usually just the simplest designs. There's probably not much of a market for the more decorative designs in slightly smaller sizes, but I'd buy them if they existed!

[@JustLost1030]

Ally the witch? Reminds me of my Fiancé who loves her sporran and wears it as a purse with or without a kilt. Who also picks up shiny rocks and stuff. Who is also a witch. My unpopular opinion: You should have some reason for whatever clan tartan you are wearing. Doesn't have to be a great bullet proof reason, but something beyond "It looks pretty."

[@cartoonraccoon2078]

I was wondering how long it would be until we encountered someone talking about "tar'ans".

[@straycat1674]

Honestly I think they would be able to keep jeans in stock if women’s jeans had pockets!

[@lorduggae]

my sister started buying mens jeans just for the pockets. She was jealous that mine had such huge pockets.

[@briantaylor9475]

Chelsea boots are stupid, in general, and more specifically, with a kilt.

[@LILACJENNIFER]

There is a school of thought here in UK that wearing a kilt without a sporran renders it a skirt be it man or woman. The sporran gives men a free pass to wear a skirt ( local opinion ).

[@maxwellfan55]

Not heard that one? But fair enough. Your comment reminds me of a UK school where boys protested about their uniforms. As a result, some began bravely wearing school skirts to lessons, I can't remember why. It looked silly, but I hope they made their point! Women are lucky in that they can wear a skirt as a kilt, a kilt as a skirt, in whatever plaid or length without question or recrimination, whenever, wherever they want. Ditto hats, bonnets etc. Good for them. I'm a guy. I wouldn't be seen wearing a kilt without a sporran. Not just for practical reasons, I would just feel naked and vulnerable.

[@LILACJENNIFER]

@@maxwellfan55 It was weather, too hot and boys were banned from wearing short trousers and opted for skirts which were not banned, according to published school rules.

[@OCCA]

Your are right sporrans are useful and you are right to wear it - keep it up.

[@toddwebb7521]

I feel like the reason women seem to universally agree that cargo pants for men are not as "nice" as a pair of slacks in the same material is because they find it offensive that we get that many/big of pockets and not because of the aesthetics of them.

[@TheRealHaggisMacJedi]

My unpopular highland wear opinion: I hate kilt pins. I think they are junky and mess up the look of the kilt.

[@hixwithanx]

Hats! I hate hats with kilts. Caps, bonnets, berets or bare-headed are all good but I hate the look of a hat with the kilt. How's that for unpopular?!

[@drelouksaudiomultiartizt-t5638]

Ally The Piper

[@nathanrendelman]

I wear my kilts with t-shirts most of the time, sometimes with a polo, but never tucked in unless its a dress shirt.

[@RichardBailey1963]

Woman’s mini utility kilt.

[@KyIeMcCIeIIan]

Unpopular opinion... Scotland is the Afghanistan of Europe. Inhospitable weather except for livestock and the locals even wrap themselves in blankets! It's not worth conquering, either. We all love our clans tartan but kilts are, were, and always will be trying to market the highlands as some magical place instead of impoverished dreary crags and wilds. Scandinavian propaganda is quite excellent, everyone thinks life there is somehow not also impoverished dreary crags and wilds except colder.

[@lundrobin4421]

A side pouch / sp.

[@joshbisinger7068]

Sometimes I don't wear a sporran. Sometimes I have enough pockets that I don't need it. Depends on what I'm wearing and what I'm doing.

[@Duirfolk]

Kilts are silly fashion. Great kilts however are practical pieces.

[@peterblair6489]

Ask a woman not to wear something? Good luck.

[@robertmacclearysaltz8372]

My God Allie is beautiful, I hope to see her play the pipes sometime, just lovely.😍🥰

[@SEDARTA_RECORDS]

I'm Scottish and I don't think it looks right if someone not Scottish wears a kilt.

[@maxwellfan55]

Why then do a tiny minority of Scots ever wear, or even own a kilt...? Do you have to be a cowboy to wear jeans? It's just an item of clothing adopted world over, get used to it.

[@jmatt56]

Really? I smell a type of reverse racism. I'm an American (which means I'm a mongrel) without much Scottish ancestry. That means, it looks good, feels good and the guys in my pipe band will back me up till the Sun comes up next Sunday. 🇵🇱 Can't find the imoji for kiss my arse. ,l,,

[@USAKiltsOfficial]

So you can tell that someone is Scottish by the way the look?

[@jmatt56]

@@USAKiltsOfficial Sorry, got a bit over the top. Would like to send you a couple of photos of my family in kit. Jim

[@Molach101]

I'm Scottish too and you know what really doesn't look or sound right? Prejudice

[@tomswildandwonderfulviews]

Let her keep her Sporran.. :)

[@gonefishingtoday]

FFS, if she can wear a sporran with a mini skirt, then I will wear a shoulder bag with my kilt.

[@maxwellfan55]

I frequently wear my cartridge shoulder bag when walking the dogs, shooting or not. Damn useful.

[@havanarick9545]

You should not be wearing a men’s sporran. Don’t ruin the true tradition of kilt culture!

[@the_lawn_dart]

Don't shower regularly! It ruins the tradition of true highland culture!

[@Christian___]

@@the_lawn_dart Piss off; every time I leave Scotland I'm astounded by how many people outside our borders stink of sweat and BO. I'm yet to see an American wash his hands in a public bathroom.

[@stacygirard647]

the tartan sporran even wiht black solid kilt you hate it and its ok with the kilt solid collor but not with tartan kilt .

[@deeblack9393]

#STOPFAKEPOCKETS! Something that I got from OneTopicataTime