Socially acceptable in the Inland Northwest?

**horseshoehank** · 27th March 09, 09:21 PM

So I'm a quandry about wearing the kilt for daily wear in my hometown of Spokane, Washington. My wife is expressing concerns over how it will be recieved by the supposedly liberal, yet fairly conservative folk of the region...

I am of the same mind as alot of you, wear what I like and the rest of them be damned, but...there seems to be alot of uninformed persons who might see it as a man in a skirt, and may want to cause a ruckus over it.

So my question is this: Should I just wear it because I like it, and not worry about problems until they arise, or do I limit myself to functions and events that are "appropriate" times to wear a "costume" or fancy dress? My wife is of the mindset that it is better to not rock the boat, and I have always followed my own piper(me!) when it comes to caring about what others think about me...

Hope I made some sort of sense in my ramblings....

Chuck

**Phogfan86** · 27th March 09, 09:42 PM

I think the prevailing school of thought around here -- feel free, rabble, to correct me -- is that you should start out wearing the kilt when you feel comfortable and safe. If that means around the house, then just wear it around the house until you get the feel of it. Once you feel comfortable and settle into a groove, pick a place or two where you know you'll feel pretty safe. For me, it was the local coffee house where all the intellectuals and old coots who don't care and goth kids hang out. Then it was the grocery store. Then it was to the mall. I'm to the point now where I'm pretty okay wearing it just nearly everywhere, including that bastion of open-mindedness, progressive thought and advanced education: WalMart.

The point is, if you don't feel like sticking your neck out, don't. Ease into this. It's not a race. When you're ready to wear it out of the house, you will.

**Big Mikey** · 27th March 09, 09:48 PM

Well said. There is also a lot to be said for marital bliss. Keep your spouse included in your decisions and with a bit of luck, her hesitance will become support.

**wyldathart** · 28th March 09, 05:36 AM

I will agree with the great Phogfan on this one, I couldn't have said it better. Of course, personally as soon as I get my kilt I'm gonna jump in the boat just to see how many waves I can make LOL

**turpin** · 28th March 09, 06:15 AM

Spokane is probably not as conservative as Coeur D'Alene, and we have a full-time kilted member there. Not to mention remember from rural areas all over the country. We all felt nervous at first, and after over two years there are still days I prefer to wear "not a kilt", depending on how I feel. Point is, If you don't try it you'll never know. Just remember to wear it with confidence and be ready with a f ew rejoinders to the inevitable questions and comments.

**pdcorlis** · 28th March 09, 06:22 AM

Hi Chuck

Well - you might ask Kiltman since he's also a Spokane kilt wearer. Over here in Coeur d Alene I wear a kilt daily without much problem. Oh sure I do get some flack from time to time but its a rare occasion at best. I think that may be because I wear traditional tartan kilts. The less recognizable solid color kilts could be more of an issue with the uninformed.

I agree with those that say its best to ease into kilt wearing - there's no sense turning this into a forced march into the kilted world.

Welcome to XMarks and welcome to the world of kilts!

**Riverkilt** · 28th March 09, 06:30 AM

Gotta be more rabble in Spokane than just you.

Tell you what. I live in Page, Arizona (find a map). Page is the most remote incorporated city in the lower 48. We are well populated with rednecks, pious LDS, and Navajos who follow their traditional ways. I've survived kilted adventures here for nearly five years now.

Kilting in the boonies is a hoot. Never a dull moment when kilted. Liberate Spokane!!

If somehow I've been socially cut off I sure don't know it.

Lots of good things happen when kilted.

Take your wife to the mall. Wander the mall kilted and have her walk behind you a ways so she can see the double takes, smiles, and comments from the folks you've just passed. Ask her to report back. Think you'll both be amazed.

Don't be turning down FREEDOM over what you think other folks might think of you.

Ron

**macwilkin** · 28th March 09, 08:05 AM

There is a Scottish Society in Spokane, btw...the aforementioned kiltman is the President:

www.spokanescots.org

There are several pipe bands, dancers, Highland games...plenty of kilted folk.

T.

**Captain Karrot** · 28th March 09, 08:15 AM

My kids are on spring break right now, so we decided to drive back down to Greensboro, NC to visit some friends. I wore jeans for the drive, because I didn't want 7 hours of wrinkles on the pleats, but as soon as I got here, I have been kilted every day. Weathered McKenzie at my old church choir rehearsal, Black Stewart to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist, US Navy at a friend's theater production, and UK today at the library. Other than a couple of questions about "why", no comments except for positive.

I say go for it...it might be a non-issue for you.

**The Barry** · 28th March 09, 09:24 AM

I think that even in a more conservative city such as Spokane you'll be just fine. Start out slow, dinners out on the weekends and such, and "ease" into it, as has been stated already.

And if that doesn't work out, email some of us rabble in Seattle, zip over, and we'll hit the town and grab pints all over the emerald city.

Seriously though, if you are apprehensive about wearing the kilt out in public, kilt nights are a great way to start, if none happen in Spokane, you can always start one!