Seeking experienced advice on wearing and caring for the kilt

[Tenmiles]

I am inexpressibly excited; my first tailored tartan wool kilt will be delivered today!

Naturally, I'm dying to put it on immediately, and have suspected for weeks that once I have it on, it'll take a team of oxen to drag me out of it.

I wanted to show it off to my family at a small gathering this weekend, but my wife expressed strong disapproval of the idea (not that she doesn't want to see me in it!); pointing out that the big reason for this rather hefty purchase is that I'll be wearing the kilt as a groomsman in her brother's wedding in August, and I should try to keep it as pristine and well-kept as possible until then, for the best possible look.

Now, naturally, I'm already resigned to resisting the urge to wear it on hikes, or in any other obviously "dangerous" situation, until after that wedding has passed, but I can't bear the idea of just hanging it up and not enjoying it over the course of the next five months.

She says "just wear it around the house for leisure, so it's kept nice until then", but it seems to me that occasionally wearing it to work, or on a weekend visit to friend or family, shouldn't be any problem.

I wouldn't expect that "just wearing it" should cause it to become any less good looking for the wedding (provided I am cautious and lucky enough not to suffer any unfortunate spills or accidents), and I also imagine that many gents who have kilts, and who find reason to wear one to a wedding, will simply pick one from their wardrobe, and not overly fuss that it isn't literally "brand new" for the occasion.

I also wonder what kilts-for-hire must look like, in terms of wear, as most of the other groomsmen will certainly be wearing hired kilts, but we know that said kilts will have already been hired out to - and worn by - many previous people.


So, what I'd like to ask is twofold:

1. Your impressions and opinions about careful casual (or business) wear, and its effects on the overall look and "presentability" on the kilt itself, with a mind toward the fact that it is to be worn in a formal setting some months hence; and any advice on things to be mindful of, or techniques for minimizing the appearance of wear and maximizing the appearance of being "well kept".

2. Any suggestions or tips on the most effective and reasonable methods of persuading She Who Must Be Obeyed that it's not as bad an idea as she might think, to wear the kilt as I please (within reason) prior to the wedding in August.
(Note: 25 years of marriage to a redhead has taught me a few strategies; like "never imply that she is wrong, just find a way to get her to see facts she hasn't considered yet"... I guess I'm just looking for those facts to arm myself with.)

[ctbuchanan]

My first wool kilt (Strathclyde Modern Buchanan) looks as good today as the first day I wore it almost 40 years ago. I don't wear it every day of course, but it has been worn 20 to 25 times a year on average I would say. If you aren't planning on mountain climbing or carpentry work in it I don't see how it could possibly look any different in August as it does now. I'm assuming also that you don't spill something like bleach or grape juice on it as well. Enjoy and wear it in good health.

I hope you will notice that, having been happily married myself for 33 years, I'm not going anywhere near question #2.

[Father Bill]

Ha! Advice you want, advice you'll get - this is sure the forum for that!

My own take is that a good quality heavy-weight kilt should not be worn to paint the bedroom or to muck out a 62 year old stable. Other than that, it should stand up pretty darned well!

Having said that, just take out the basting (!) and your wife's advice is actually not bad for a whole different reason. By wearing it around the house you'll discover how high / low to wear the sporran, how to keep your sgian from sliding about, how to keep the kilt from sliding down your belly, how tightly you like the buckles done, and... (especially this!) you'll receive advice from SWMBO on how to sit in the darned thing on chairs, couches, stools, car seats, etc. etc. etc. It's a learned skill, and her own advice and example (good excuse to get her to wear a sexy short skirt for the next few weeks) will help you to learn how to do so gracefully, modestly, and with masculinity.

(Hint: take a look at Rocky's videos, http://www.usakilts.com/information-...education.html and learn to pull some material forward as you sit, shove it down between your legs, and dump the sporran into the "slot" to keep it modest.)

Cheers, and congratulations!

Mmm. Post scriptum: the other reason for asking her to wear that sexy miniskirt is that you want her advice about when she thinks you're ready to take it out for a "field trial" to the corner store or the office.

[Andrew Breecher]

I've worn my "tank" for both mountain climbing and carpentry ( ) and it still looks fresh. I've worn it as part of a 5-kilt rotation for three years of kilt-only daily wear and it still looks fine. Think of it as a suit - you'd wear a suit to work for years, and still wear it to an event that you'd want to look dressed-up for. In fact I would go so far to say that if you wear it more often you'll look more comfortable during the wedding, because you won't be wearing it as a "costume" but as simply something you're used to wearing.

That said, you have to pick your battles with SWMBO. I'm also married to a redhead, so I feel your pain^H^H^H^H good fortune!

[Macman]

I hear what you're saying and agree with the other posters. I will, however, tell you my story. I owned my first kilt for 30 years before I got my second kilt. I then decided to get a new kilt to wear to my wedding when got engaged 12 years ago. I gave my dad my old one. This was my second marriage, and my friends and family were all older and more responsible than at my first, so my "stag" consisted of a nice dinner at a local brew pub. I was dying to wear my newly-received kilt to the dinner, but my dad convinced me not to because the wedding was only a few days away. Good thing! I was sitting at the end of a long table, and when one of the attendees (I think it was my eldest son) got up to go to the washroom, his legs accidentally lifted the table and I ended up with a couple of pints in my lap. Take from this what you will.

[Tenmiles]

My first wool kilt (Strathclyde Modern Buchanan) looks as good today as the first day I wore it almost 40 years ago.

Good to know!

I hope you will notice that, having been happily married myself for 33 years, I'm not going anywhere near question #2.

You're right of course, and it's a good reminder for me; there's no doubt that if I go to her and say "well I asked around on the forums, and all the blokes say this...", she'll just give me that look which says "well, you married me, not all those blokes, so whose opinion carries more weight?"

...your wife's advice is actually not bad for a whole different reason

(Reminds me of that saying: "If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way your wife suggested". It's funny because it's true.)

By wearing it around the house you'll discover [...] how to do so gracefully, modestly, and with masculinity.

That's a very good point. I've already watched Rocky's videos, and observed kilted friends, so I figured I had something of a handle on it, but I think you're right about simply getting some firsthand experience.

I would go so far to say that if you wear it more often you'll look more comfortable during the wedding, because you won't be wearing it as a "costume" but as simply something you're used to wearing.

And THAT's just the sort of idea I was looking for! It hadn't actually occurred to me in such simple words as that, but I think that's a smart way of looking at it. It isn't likely to be a deal-changer, as one could just as easily argue that all the necessary wearing experience could be had in the house, where it's safer for the garment.
(I'm sure neither of us, she or I, would be worried about becoming psychologically acclimated to kilt-wearing, in terms of not projecting suitable confidence whilst wearing it; I'm regarded among those who know me as one who isn't the least bit shy about unorthodox or eccentric dress; in fact it's always been one of the things I've felt pride in, so it's merely the functional and practical mechanics of kilt-wearing which I have to master; not any sense of shyness.)

And yes, pick your battles. I've always been happier with the results of negotiating than fighting, tell the truth. I just want to find a happy middle ground which allows both of us to feel respected and satisfied. Considering everything else we've managed to overcome in our time, this is not such a big deal.

I will, however, tell you my story [...] a nice dinner at a local brew pub. I was dying to wear my newly-received kilt to the dinner, but my dad convinced me not to because the wedding was only a few days away. Good thing! I was sitting at the end of a long table, and when one of the attendees (I think it was my eldest son) got up to go to the washroom, his legs accidentally lifted the table and I ended up with a couple of pints in my lap. Take from this what you will

Thanks; yes, it's good to hear the other side of it too. I definitely do want to be quite careful not to put the garment into any undue risk, and something as ordinary as a dinner out (not that we ever do much of that) has its risks. I just want to be able to indulge myself and wear it sometimes, at least, and be seen in it, because five months is a long time to wait.

[Liam]

I agree with Father Bill's advice....wear it , get used to it. When eating, make sure you use a large napkin over your lap. If cooking or barbecuing make sure to wear an apron. If you have a slight mishap, spot clean with water immediately. I wear my kilts most days and my summer PV version is the only one I have ever cleaned. I do, however, reserve my best "Rennie" tartan kilt for special occasions.
Cheers...

[sailortats]

I see no difference in wearing a new kilt than wearing a new suit. The suit is going to look fine for many wearings to come and I have found the same to be true of my good kilts. They will last and look as good as new for many a wearing.
There is absolutely no way I could get a new kilt and not wear it for the next 4 or 5 months, I would be a blithering idiot if that is what I had to do.
Wear it, enjoy it, learn how to sit in it and get used to it but don't leave it on a hanger.

[Couper]

Hmmm...sounds like a good reason to order a new Casual Kilt (from USAKilts or wherever). Then you can wear a kilt WHENever and WHEREver you like - and not worry about an untimely spill.

[Tarheel]

The idea of wearing the kilt to get used to the feel (as all the other folks have pointed out) is reasonable. Around the house to appease your "Redhead's" suggestion is valid and even critical to marital bliss. You will find (as all of us have with a new kilt) your posture and attitude will change wearing the new attire. Your wife will notice the change in your demeanor and maybe let you out of the house for a test run (but probably under her supervision). Tell her you at least need to have a picture for the XMark folks.