Hello from Mississippi

[MDR]

I am new to kilts, although I have been interested in them for years. I have recently gotten some utility kilts that I have worn out a couple of times. My first time to wear one was on St. Patrick's Day.


Now I am about to get a more traditional kilt. I am hoping that a tartan kilt will make me less anxious about wearing a kilt in public, here in the Deep South.


I am extremely shy and suffer from social anxiety, but so far (two days out in kilts, at this writing) I have not had a bad reaction from anyone. The only person, other than family, that even said anything about it was complimentary: a girl in the office next door said she liked my skirt. I told her it was a kilt, so she said she liked my kilt. :-)


My Dad got a kick out of it the first time he saw it. When I stopped by their house, Momma thought I should have been more traditional in appearance, with kilt hose instead of my over-the-calf socks pushed down to my boots.


I liked wearing the kilts, so I hope to be able to get myself to do it more frequently, although I do worry about negative reactions around here.


Thanks for letting me hang out with you.

[Kiltedjohn]

Welcome from the West Midlands of England.

I understand your concerns about kilt-wearing. I have the same problem here in England, but everyone assures me that confidence is everything. Happy kilt-wearing!

[Jock Scot]

Welcome, from Inverness-shire. For what it is worth, I think staying with a tartan kilt and worn reasonably traditionally would be the best way to build up your confidence, after that? Who knows!

[MDR]

Thank you for the welcome, Kiltedjohn and Jock Scot. :-)

That was what had come to my mind, Jock Scot, the idea that a tartan kilt would be more recognizable to those unfamiliar with kilts, making folks less likely to just see a guy in a skirt.

One does not see many kilts of any kind here, except for pipers or perhaps special events. Or at least I have not. In fact, I think just a couple of days ago was the first time I recall seeing someone wearing a kilt as normal everyday clothing. A gentleman was wearing a tartan kilt while out shopping. Even though I tend to not be very outgoing, I had to tell him I liked his kilt. It made me wish I had been wearing one, too.

[Spartan Tartan]

from Rhode Island

[Jock Scot]

MDR.

It sounds as though you are on the way to me, I hope the girl was a pretty one? Take it steady, don't rush, you may get a stupid comment, sometime-------it happens even in Scotland------- that might knock you back, if it happens and I have to say that it might, just remember 100 good comments always beat one silly one and on you go. Good luck and have fun!

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

[MDR]

Thank you for the welcome, Spartan Tartan and Father Bill. :-)

Jock Scot, the encouragement and words of wisdom are much appreciated. I will admit that I am a bit surprised, as I would not have thought such experiences would happen over there. So far, in my limited experience, all has gone well for me, but in case of unpleasantness, I will try to keep what you said in mind. :-)

[Geoff Withnell]

Welcome! I have spent time kilted in some of the - shall we say less cosmopolitan areas of Mississippi - and you may get some surprised looks, but most folks are reasonably pleasant. And young ladies' reactions are typically positive. Again, welcome!

[MDR]

Thank you, Geoff, for the welcome. It is good to hear you have had positive experiences down here in my home state.

I am trying to tell myself that it cannot be any worse than some of the experiences I had when I was younger and still had a headful of long hair flowing down my back. And now that I think about it, it was usually guys that were the source of unpleasantness...women would stop me to tell me how much they liked my hair and express their envy. Alas, those days are gone, as is my hair! :-)