Kilted Self-esteem

[Riverkilt]

Reading the Halloween thread it came to me that I seem to feel different when I'm wearing different kilts.

When I'm wearing a tartan that is significant to me, a clan tartan of my blood, or a military tartan, I seem to stand a bit taller, feel a bit more pride, be a bit more ready to answer questions about the tartan than I am when I'm wearing a fashion tartan or a clan tartan that I like, but isn't a tartan of my blood - or than when wearing a solid color tartan or a camo print kilt.

Though I do feel that pride a bit more in my tiger stripe AK kilt than I do the sort of generic woodland camo UK.

Its sort of a jazzy, juicy feeling to kilt up in a meaningful tartan. Sometimes I find myself picking my kilt for the day based on how I feel wearing that tartan.

Not sure I'm communicating the concept correctly, but guessing I'm not alone??

Ron

[James MacMillan]

Ron, I fully understand what you are saying! I feel the same way, if but under slightly different situations.

I own and wear, only tartan kilts. I make every effort, when out in public to wear the kilt with pride to myself and to the tartan. While every one of my tartans has meaning to me, I try to remember which tartan I am wearing, it's name and a little history of the particular clan.

Being a retired Marine, I must say that I walk a little taller, when I wear one of my beautiful Leatherneck tartans.

But I don't limit myself to only wearing tartans to which I can find a family connection. The Black Stewart, for instance has become a recent favorite, because I really like the way it looks and the way that it is pleated.

Like I said, I don't own any solid colors or Untility type kilts. A solid color kilt is on my wish list, but I don't think I will ever get a utility type kilt (just not my cup of tea.)

So, yes, I think you got your point across.

Ditto!

[CactusJack]

Being fairly new to being kilted I have noticed that when out and about in either one of mine I seem to stand tall and walk with an air of confidence.
My wife has also noticed it as well..

[davedove]

I understand what you're saying Ron. I think it is because you DO have a connection that makes it more special. Also, because most folks in the general populace think that all tartans have some deep historical meaning, it can make it feel more special to you when someone asks you about it.

For instance, when I wear the US Army tartan, I can tell people that I served in the Army, I have worked for the Army my whole career, my brother is currently serving, my father served as well as two of my uncles and a couple of cousins.

Now, I could wear the Marine tartan, but I wouldn't have the same connection. I think one cousin is the only fairly close relative that has ever served in the Marines, and that was only one term. It just doesn't mean the same to me. I have the deepest respect for the Marines, but not the connection. And some people might even think I was a wannabe if I wore it.

That's one reason that all the kilts I have had made were of a tartan that I have a connection with. Well, that and it helps narrow the choices.

[Livingston]

I agree with what you all have said. I only have 2 kilts at this time and it's looking bleak for getting another for a while BUT, the only thing I can add is that when I do wear one of my kilts I seem to stand up straighter and taller then when I wear those dreaded things I have to wear to work.

[GMan]

You are not alone!! Kilt wearing raised the bar on confidence and self worth higher than I ever thought they could be raised (as if they needed to be raised).

An added bonus is that people that hang out with me also get an uplift of confidence. I chalk it up to wanting to be around the self confidence.

[cessna152towser]

Yes, its a strange phenomenon. I too find that going kilted raises my self esteem. Although I also wear single colour and camo kilts, I restrict my tartans to ones with which I can claim some sort of connection.
Cunningham - My surname and paternal family line.
McKenzie - great great grandfather who was a soldier in the Lanarkshire Militia
McLeodMcLeod hunting (on order) - Maternal great grandmother's family.
County Armagh - where my maternal grandfather's family came from.
Teviotdale - the district tartan for the area where I now live - as this was historically Elliot country, the tartan respects the Elliot tartan by including the chocolate and blue of Elliot.
University of Glasgow where I studied for my law degree, 1969 to 1973.
Royal Air Force - my father served in the RAF during world war II and later served as a civilian aircraft engineer; I was an Air Training Corps cadet when aged 15 to 18 but never signed up for full time service.
Spirit of Scotland - Ok this one's maybe a bit contrived, but its a Lochcarron fashion tartan and Lochcarron weave the material here in Hawick.
Black Watch - the government sett and I worked in local government for thirty years before taking early retirement and setting up my own business.

[Ozman1944]

For sure an esteem builder for me too; like a shot of testosterone.
and comfort as well!

[DTrain]

I agree that ANY kilt seems to add some "spring in your step." But, that being said, I don't feel any different wearing one tartan over another. I am saving up for a tank and am curious to know, is there a difference when wearing a tank and PC vs wearing a SWK Thrifty and T-shirt?
"Dressing up" for an occasion does seem to make you behave more appropriately to the attire. I think that is some of the rationale for school uniforms or dress codes.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Stan,

That says it best...being kilted in a proud tartan IS like a shot of testosterone.

Ron
Another 1944 baby