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Should I Pack My Kilt on My Trip to Asia?

Dear Rolf,

While in college I began to learn more about my Scottish family history. I bought a Utilikilt, and it goes everywhere I go. Soon I hope to travel to an Asian country that (in some parts) is known to be quite conservative. I will, no doubt, already stick out like a sore thumb in Asia. Should I bring the kilt and see how many laughs I get and just tell people I am from Scotland or should I play it safe and stick with swim trunks and pants?

— Jonathan

Dear Jonathan,

I can appreciate your enthusiasm for your kilt (I have a bit of Scottish heritage myself), but I might recommend you leave it at home. I say this less for reasons of conservatism than for the fact that I’m all about packing as light as possible—and your kilt is going to be bulkier, less functional and harder to wash than a pair of shorts or pants.

Moreover, while it’s nice to display your heritage, this is a fairly low priority when you’re in faraway lands seeking to learn about other cultures. At times, people will react to your kilt instead of your person, and—while this can occasionally be a conversation starter—this can get in the way of meaningful interaction. I might also point out that I’ve never known actual Scotsmen to wear kilts while vagabonding.

If you do choose to bring your kilt, remember to be culturally conscientious about where you wear it (i.e., never in temples or mosques). In more formal parts of Asia, bare legs are seen as an aberration, and wearing a kilt might feel uncomfortable outside of a beach setting. With this in mind, you might consider bringing a Velcro-action Sport Kilt to wear at the beach, which is lighter and more sarong-like than a more traditional kilt.

Speaking of which, I might point out that sarongs, lungis and similar “man-skirts” are fairly common in certain parts of Southeast Asia and India. If you miss the feel of your kilt while journeying through these areas, a couple dollars should be enough score you the local fashion equivalent.

Columnist Rolf Potts is the author of Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel.

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I had to laugh when I read this post as I am Scottish, although now living in England. The Scots do not go around wearing kilts on a daily basis. |They are generally worn on occasions such as to support Scottish sports teams, at weddings.

I have never heard of the Sport Kilt. The purists would not approve, it is the amount of wool and the weight of the wool that makes a “good kilt”.  A kilt of manmade material, machine washable with velcro would not cut any ice.  However I am sure that for every day use the Sport Kilt is so much more practical.

Take it along and you’re bound to get laughs from the people who’s heritage you’ve became so proud of!! ;->
I’m Scottish and think, while those utilikilts may be practicle for something they don’t resemble real tartan kilts at all.  Better off google for ‘drinking kilts’ that are lightweight if you really insist.
Why not be proud of the country you’re from as well?
I never had a need to wear my kilt but there are maybe one or two nights I wish I could have had it along with the full outfit...but there’s no way I’d be carrying that (and it was usually because I’d been staying in local villages for a while)

Bring your kilt if it defines you.

If it doesn’t, or it’s just for a laugh, well… you’d find better use for that space in your pack.

I must admit I’ve never heard of a sports kilt before. :)

I have worn a Kilt once, it was to a party and my friend only had the Kilt instead of a spare TUX. I felt quite uncomfortable at first, but later on in the evening I relaxed (Alcohol), so if I was you I would have to drink constantly during my trip.

I am sure you will get to meet lots of different people if you do go ahead with it, so thats a bonus!