Greetings from Maryland

**Drwill4** · 12th September 15, 02:36 AM

Greetings from MD

Don Williams here... Retired AF currently working in MD as a defense contractor meaning I get to spend a lot of my time in the world's most wonderful vacation spots. I've been lurking on XMTS for a while now and figured it was time to come out of the closet and into the light. Apologize for the LONG post but figured I'd get it out of the way in one swell foop.

My paternal lineage is pretty much all American since we go directly back over 300 years in the US to the late 1600's in Wethersfield, Connecticut. I have some distinct German heritage by way of my grandmother (Freisland & Schwarzwalder) with a MacDonald from Scotland marrying into the herd a ways back.

My wife is Boston Irish all the way via Burke, Murphy, Drennen, & O'Rielly. As a result, I had to agree to root for all New England sports teams and learn the lyrics to MANY traditional Irish tunes. She's directly responsible for my interest in all things Celtic.

I got my first kilt (Amerikilt olive) a few years ago at the inaugural Annapolis Irish fest thanks to my wife. It was absolutely amazing the comfort & freedom. I commented that I now understood why women wore skirts. A few weeks after the fest the kilt was forgot about in the back of the closet except for fests. I broke it out again for this year's fest. A"few" beers into it the wife took me to another vendors booth, American Highlander out of PA, where I was set up with a Douglas tartan kilt. No clue on why a Douglas but it sure was nice and I wasn't the one to be complaining at the time.

Ever since then I've been in one of the two kilts almost every day while at home or on our boat. No shirt & barefoot, t-shirt or polo and flip flops or boat shoes. Unfortunately the wife says she won't go out with me if I wear them outside of the house. Interesting POV since she was the one who got both of my kilts. Haven't got around to testing her resolve yet but that's coming very soon. My current preferences lean more toward the uber-casual side vice the more traditional. That said however, I am open to learning. With very long American heritage I feel pretty free to wear what I want, how I want with the only stipulation being that I can make the kilt look good and my wife agrees to be seen with me, sometimes. 20+ years in the military helps prevent me from dressing like a total idiot. Not a guarantee but it helps.

I'm currently out of the country but should be home a few days before my office has their annual Octoberfest cookout. I'm hoping to drive up to USAK to pick up kilt #3, a German heritage casual kilt before the shindig since they say they have them in stock. I'm thinking it would pair nicely with a black "unit" t-shirt and either flip flops or chunky socks and some black Clark's brogue boots depending on the weather.

Im already compiling lists for more kilts to include USAF, another Amerikilt and something from Skilt. Baby steps.

Regards,

Don

Btw, thanks to all here for the continuing education in all things kilt.

**Tarheel** · 12th September 15, 05:19 AM

Well met Don. I have a lot to respond to after your posting. Much of it will wait for threads on different subjects as we move along. Thanks for your service to the Country (many of us veterans will do the same).

If you have not gotten a sporran, I would suggest a brown and simple design to start with in your circumstance. All the kilts you describe will accommodate the tone and texture. (Think "Brown Boot" military days of the '40's and '50's) and gear with khaki.

Imagine one formal event where you are decked to the "nines" wearing a kilt. Look to the threads on formal and semi-formal combinations. This may ease your wife's misgivings, if she can accompany you and that makes her look good in the process.

Glad you decided to step into the light here. Welcome.

**Drwill4** · 12th September 15, 05:33 AM

Thanks Tarheel. I picked up a basic 3" Black belt and sporran when I got the Douglas. The Amerikilt obviously came with its own. I'm more partial to browN though and will be picking up a brown belt & Sporran hopefully soon. Happy to be here.

. Don