With a strong paternal and maternal lineage back to the Highlands and Orkney Islands, I was brought to be fiercely proud of my heritage even though my ancestors left there over 170years ago (establishing a ‘little Scotland’ in the south of NZ). Despite that I never seriously contemplated wearing a kilt until a couple of months ago when I smashed a knee and wearing trousers become temporarily difficult. The kilt became a natural solution.

Following some quick research I discovered contemporary kilts and now I’m hooked. I have a UT and today I bought a Utilikilt Workman off a fellow X Marks member. I’m not sure that I will venture into traditional kilts but in recognition of my paternal clan I have a Bilt Kilt Hybrid on order in black with Cameron tartan inserts. That will be my formal going out kilt...maybe…

Sadly my enthusiasm is not shared by my bf who says of the UT “that looks great but out in public, I won’t be seen dead with you.” So I have a lot of work to do . He doesn’t even know about the other purchases yet! I just hope that wearing the kilt around the house will begin to ‘normalise’ it.

Long ago I moved to Australia and now live in a relatively liberal area of a pretty conservative State. I have never seen a contemporary kilt worn here (and traditional kilts only rarely for formal occasions). On the couple of occasions I have been able to venture out kilted (alone) I have had the odd compliment but also copped the clichés I have read about here. Such as “what’s the occasion?”, “you are wearing a dress” and “I hope you are wearing something under that”. I have managed all with good humour thanks in no small part to you the wealth of information gleaned from you guys. They wont stop me! (For the last question, the grimace on the guys face was priceless when I said “of course – boots and socks”.)

X Marks has been a great discovery. Thank you for the opportunity to join the ranks