Hi from Portland, OR

**RCoastie** · 3rd May 15, 01:30 PM

I've always liked the idea of a kilt, however being that I am not Scottish or Irish I was pretty sure that wearing one would be disrespectful to someone and hence I never really looked into it. However... A couple of weeks ago 5.11 Tactical announced they were doing a run of their tactical duty kilt. Self I said! This is perfect, no family colors to offend someone, lots of pockets, we must buy some self. While I was discussing this with my wife, my daughter asked me "what's a kilt"? So I showed her some pictures, to which she immediately responded that I wasn't ever allowed to wear such a garment to her softball games or pick her up from school or wear it in front of her friends or or or or or... Needless to say kilts are now on the way. I ordered 2 from 5.11 which I am still waiting for and another via Amazon from a company called Damn Near Kilt Em.

My experience with the Amazon product hasn't been very good, I wore it one day and then machine washed it as per the instructions (it was dirty) then I laid it out to hang dry. I noticed that there were a lot of loose strings from the belt loops and the stitching for one of the pleats in the back had come undone. So it is going back, also it has shrunk just enough in the wash to make it more uncomfortable. I'm not a small man and being comfortable is one of the key selling points for a kilt, so this was also unacceptable.

After my negative experience with the Amazon kilt I have done what I always do when my most carefully laid plans go awry. I've spent the last 4 hours researching contemporary kilts, their makers, the prices, and the general attitude and history behind modern kilts. Since this place was a treasure trove of information I figured I'd make an account and say hello and thank you.

**Spartan Tartan** · 3rd May 15, 02:08 PM

from Rhode Island. I suspect Portland will be rather accepting of your kilt wearing. Best of luck and enjoy!

**Dughlas mor** · 3rd May 15, 02:10 PM

Welcome from farther up I-5. Great to have you with us. If you want to wear a tartan kilt, there are plenty of non clan tartans to choose from.

**RCoastie** · 3rd May 15, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

from Rhode Island. I suspect Portland will be rather accepting of your kilt wearing. Best of luck and enjoy!

We do have the Uni-piper here, and prior to washing that kilt I got from Amazon I was amazed by the comfort of not wearing pants. I am now astonished that women wear anything except skirts and dresses.
As for people accepting... they can hate all they want. I've got pretty legs.

**RCoastie** · 3rd May 15, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Dughlas mor

Welcome from farther up I-5. Great to have you with us. If you want to wear a tartan kilt, there are plenty of non clan tartans to choose from.

I actually got smart and found out that the Coast Guard has a tartan, boom problem solved.

**Rick Y** · 3rd May 15, 02:26 PM

Hi and welcome from a bit closer to you: Ridgefield, WA. I'm taking it that your user name is short for retired Coast Guardsman. If so then accept my thanks for your service and my respect for anyone willing to go play in white water when other boats are scurrying to harbor.

We have a group in the Portland area which meets every last Tuesday of each month. Usually an announcement is made here on XMarks. It is at the Horse Brass Pub on, I think, Belmont. Sometimes more, sometimes fewer people but always fun. Kilt wearing not required but certainly appreciated. Spouses, friends, etc also invited.

**RCoastie** · 3rd May 15, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Rick Y

Hi and welcome from a bit closer to you: Ridgefield, WA. I'm taking it that your user name is short for retired Coast Guardsman. If so then accept my thanks for your service and my respect for anyone willing to go play in white water when other boats are scurrying to harbor.

We have a group in the Portland area which meets every last Tuesday of each month. Usually an announcement is made here on XMarks. It is at the Horse Brass Pub on, I think, Belmont. Sometimes more, sometimes fewer people but always fun. Kilt wearing not required but certainly appreciated. Spouses, friends, etc also invited.

Thank you very much for the invitation. I didn't retire, I only served for 9 years. Would have done more but my weight became a problem which I never managed to properly get under control, c'est la vie. And underway is the only way.
I'll be going into Stumptown Kilts later this week to see their showroom and get more exposure to kilts.

**Tarheel** · 3rd May 15, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by RCoastie

I actually got smart and found out that the Coast Guard has a tartan, boom problem solved.

Well met my water wading vet. Thanks for your service. Like many of the other military service connected here, I welcome you from Oxford, MS.

**ratspike** · 3rd May 15, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by RCoastie

We do have the Uni-piper here, and prior to washing that kilt I got from Amazon I was amazed by the comfort of not wearing pants. I am now astonished that women wear anything except skirts and dresses.
As for people accepting... they can hate all they want. I've got pretty legs.

I'm a transplanted SE Portlander currently stuck in Vantucky, and I can say without a doubt that PDX is an easy place to wear a kilt. At the grocery store today a woman stopped me to let me know I was the third guy she'd seen in a kilt this weekend. As a rule you'll find that nobody is gonna hate on you, especially if you have great legs!