Anxious, Excited Future Kilt-wearer (hopefully)

[JDaugherty]

Hello everyone!

I've been reading through threads on this forum for at least three hours now while waiting for approval and I am only becoming more and more excited about wearing a kilt!
About me: I'm 30 y/o, from southern illinois. I'm....eh we'll say 3/4 or 1/2 irish (other half or quarter german) I've very proud of being irish, but admitedly don't know a ton about my lineage/history.
I have always wondered why men get stuck wearing the pants; it just seems anatomically innacurate! This has always led me to be drawn towards the idea of kilts. Though I spent most of my life either A.) Think only scots could wear them, and B.) Afraid to even try (partially because I am gay, and I didn't want the accusations that I was wearing a "skirt" because I'm gay. Hell, I've yet to see a man in a kilt that didnt look MORE masculine than "normal" clad guys!)
However, here I am, freshly 30; in the process of getting on disability for Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder and I have decided I want..no NEED to make at least some changes in my life to be happier. First one I think is going to be getting rid of uncomfortable, binding, always ungodly hot, PANTS.

When I first found this forum, and signed up; I had so many questions, and was still a little nervous about the idea of kilt wearing. The more I read, however, the more comfortable and confident I felt (also, props to all of you not-perfectly toned and chiseled guys rocking the kilts like badasses. So far, any guys i've seen in kilts have been muscular and toned, and just made me feel like i could neeeever pull it off; but ya'll make me realize ANYONE can look good in akilt!). Alot of my questions were self-answered by perusing the forums; though I do still have some (that may have been answered and i haven't found it yet).

First, I have two MAJOR concerns still about wearing a kilt. The first is: not that I expect to run into any scotsmen, but if I do, how can I avoid looking like a total idiot? (I mean, are the hose necessary for casual wear, the idea of wool socks just bothers me, I get so warm so easily and almost always wear ankle socks) the second is kind of the opposite of normal. So far i've read people seem to expect negative responses but instead get lots of random conversation/compliments. I'm not entirely comfortable with people in general; I know if i'm wearing a kilt (especially in a farmland/redneck area like the one i live in) I'm going to get compliments/jeers/questions etc. Any tips?

And my other question: As I said i'm int he process of getting on disability which means I currently have 0 income (though I'm finally getting a hearing so I hope I'm done with the whole process soon). So of course, I've no kilt yet and *probably* wont be able to get a good one for awhile. Now, I have some sewing experience, and am not against some trial and error. yet, despite my current enthusiasm for them, I'd still like to have one to get used to, or even see if I enjoy them before i invest in one. We'll call it a practice kilt (for around te house/lounging, just generally getting used to wearing one; as well as making one). I saw one thread about someone trying to make a kilt out of old jeans; is it possible with other things as well? i have...a ton of old khaki's I don't wear and of course jeans and other things. Any tips on recycling that old stuff into a sort of patch-work/first-timer/practice kilt?

Well, that's enough rambling from me, thanks for accepting me admins, and I look forward to talking to all of you!

[Kiltedjohn]

Welcome from the West Midlands of England. Hopefully, you should find lots of answers to your questions. [I can't claim to be an authority on kilt-making myself!]

[Chas]

Hello JD,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

[Sample m]

Welcome from northern ill. Great to have you here.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

[GMan]

Welcome!!! Kilt wearing is such a natural thing.

[Spartan Tartan]

from Rhode Island

Take some time to continue looking through the pages/threads. There are MANY ways to answer both your questions and they have been addressed many times over within the pages here.

Best of luck and look for the X-Kilt instructions...a LOT of the members here have used those to great success in making their own kilts. They have also been successful with a large number of different fabrics.

[rtown]

Hello and Welcome

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[KiltedKnome]

Welcome from Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). Here is the link to making an X-Kilt: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ownload-20085/

I'm not sure about recycling old blue jeans into a kilt, but if you are game to try, go for it (you just have to post photos)!