Britain is considering a new ban on “upskirting,” which would make it illegal for people to take a photograph up someone’s skirt without permission. And because the world is becoming more cognizant of gender equality, the ban would also protect men who wear kilts.
Men who wear them commonly go without underwear, so you can see why upskirting could be a problem.
The proposed law would protect the “bodily dignity” of both sexes, according to government spokesman Baroness Vere of Norbiton, reported BBC. While speaking with the Lords, she detailed the government’s plans and noted that the ban would include “kilt upskirting.”
When a backbench member of parliament prevented the law from being passed, the government became involved. The House of Commons will consider the bill and aim to move forward on it before summer recess commences. If passed, an individual who secretly takes a photo up a skirt will face up to two years in jail.
“This statute actually protects all men and women and their bodily dignities, as it does indeed include kilt upskirting, which I only recently became aware of,” Baroness Vere commented.
A similar law was passed in Scotland in 2009.
Modern Kilts For Modern Men
While kilts are fashionable in the United Kingdom, North Americans are slow to adapt to the style. Yet, there are men who enjoy the freedom of wearing a kilt. A California man named Steven “Krash” Villegas started his company Utilikilts in 2000. As of 2016, his business had sold approximately 250,000 kilts.
“I thought that the traditional Scottish kilts were a great idea, but I wasn’t Scottish,” he told CNN at the time. “So, I got around to saying I want something that’s like a Scottish kilt but with pockets and belts and washable.”
His products include the Survival Utilikilt ($330 US), which features detachable side-saddle cargo pockets. The company boasts that the kilt can hold “20 Bottles of the survival beverage of your choice” (six in the front pockets, 10 in the cargo pockets, and four in the back).
The more affordable Mocker Utilikilt ($200 US) is described as a “cleaner, more refined looking Utilikilt that “wouldn’t seem out of place at the office or with a shirt and tie.” Instead of side cargo pockets, it features incredibly deep internal pockets. One benefit to wearing the Mocker instead of pants is that you can fill up the pockets “without showing any sort of distracting bulge.” It’s available in assorted colours
Currently, you’re more likely to see someone wearing a kilt at a music festival instead of the office. But according to Villegas, it takes a strong individual to wear one of his creations.
“If he’s wearing a Utilikilt, the guy’s got some authority. The guy’s got some boss in his soul and it’s gonna be projected.”
