First time in public wearing a kilt !

**daithi1815** · 9th August 14, 02:09 PM

Plucked up the courage today to wear my new (first proper) 5yd kilt - Ramsey Blue - in public. Felt nervous and self conscious at first,

but saw lots of smiles as I walked around. Did my self confidence the world of good. Got a thumbs up from one chap and two "Mummy, why is that man wearing a skirt? ", but then I guess that kilts are not every day wear in Wimbledon.
Looking forward now to my next outing in a kilt !

**Hawk** · 9th August 14, 02:20 PM

Congrats on the first time in public. You'll get used to all types of comments, questions and approvals ( not many disapprovals hopefully ). Just today, as I'm wearing a kilt at work, I heard almost the same comment from a family. The little girl, about 10-12 yrs., asked her mom why I was wearing a "skirt". Her mother replied, that's a kilt honey and he's probably Scottish or Irish. This resulted in a conversation with her and it came out that she was Stewart on her side of the family and Boyd on her husbands. The young lady appeared interested after that conversation......see it opens the door for positive conversations.....

Hawk

**cck** · 9th August 14, 03:03 PM

Now you have taken the big step. Be prepared for compliments and questions about the kilt and the tartan. It is a great way to get to meet people who probably wound not have spoken to you otherwise. Enjoy

**mookien** · 9th August 14, 03:31 PM

Good for you on your first kilt walk-around. I'll never forget my first and I doubt you will, too.

I like your informal outfit. You might want to think about replacing the sporran chain with a leather strap. To me they are more comfortable and easier to use. Also, to a lot of folks the chain looks formal. More importantly, in the photos your inner apron is drooping a bit below the outer one. That happens to me occasionally, so I just have to remember to pull it up from time to time. Kilt on!

**Theyoungkiltman** · 9th August 14, 04:00 PM

It seems to me though that the "mummy why is he wearing a skirt?" Questions tend to be answered by "because he is scottish". Good to see that the parents are educated.

**tpa** · 9th August 14, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

Good for you on your first kilt walk-around. I'll never forget my first and I doubt you will, too.

I like your informal outfit. You might want to think about replacing the sporran chain with a leather strap. To me they are more comfortable and easier to use. Also, to a lot of folks the chain looks formal. More importantly, in the photos your inner apron is drooping a bit below the outer one. That happens to me occasionally, so I just have to remember to pull it up from time to time. Kilt on!

In the UK I have never come across a sporran with a wholly leather strap, however I am considering replacing a cheap and nasty chain on one newish sporran with one. (To be fair it is more the clips than the chain that are the problem, catching on the kilt.) My older sporrans, both day ones, have chains which have never caused any problems, one I inherited is probably over 100.

On my better kilts (and on the cheaper ones I have modified), the under apron is turned up towards the end so there is no chance of it drooping below the front apron. For the whole of the under apron to show would indicate a strap misalignment or not done up tightly enough.

**JonathanB** · 9th August 14, 05:07 PM

Congratulations (also from South London). I can ignore the occasional sneers for the sake of all the compliments, mainly from admiring ladies. "Nice legs" or - recently - "I just want to say you look fabulous". I do of course. As do you.

**daithi1815** · 9th August 14, 11:34 PM

Thanks chaps for your kind replies and suggestions. I did notice that the inner apron was sagging a bit by the end of the trip out and had hitched it up a couple times, I take the point though that it is more of a strap adjustment problem. As it was an 'off the peg' kilt and this was the tightest setting on all of the straps it probably means I'll be forever hitching up the inner apron or maybe making a slight alteration to shorten it

**416 Rigby** · 9th August 14, 11:47 PM

Good for you! I found the best way to handle the first outing was to just do it and not worry about it.

**tpa** · 10th August 14, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by daithi1815

Thanks chaps for your kind replies and suggestions. I did notice that the inner apron was sagging a bit by the end of the trip out and had hitched it up a couple times, I take the point though that it is more of a strap adjustment problem. As it was an 'off the peg' kilt and this was the tightest setting on all of the straps it probably means I'll be forever hitching up the inner apron or maybe making a slight alteration to shorten it

Just move the strap, I've had to do that with off the shelf kilts.

I forgot to say, congratulations on your first sortie, do it often enough and it will soon feel normal.