My first kilt!

[isantop]

I'm currently looking at a variety of kilts to buy. I am very excited as this will be my very first kilt.

I am however, first seeking answers to a few questions.

As an american teen, many of us are somewhat skeptical of trying dramatic new things and making sudden, drastic lifestyle changes. This also applies to me; however, thus far I have not been discouraged. I guess my main question is this: Is there anyone else out there that's worn a kilt since they were a teen? How did their friends react. Did you announce it openly before hand? etc, etc...

Also, I'm of a bit awkward decent for wearing a kilt. I am part Swedish, part Italian, and a small bit German, however, I have no Anglo in me at all. Is it even socially acceptable for me to wear a kilt? Should I pick a particular tartan over another, or even a solid color?

That aside, I'm currently looking at a Stillwater Standard Kilt for my first one. It seems to be a good value. Does anyone else have one of these kilts?

I do want to have a kilt that fastens with buckles instead of velcro. I'm not particularly large and I feel a velcro fastener would be too loose.

I do intend to wear my kilt as a general purpose garment, i.e. from school to informal family gatherings. Would a Stillwater standard kilt suit my needs well? If not, what are some other options?

I don't want a Utilikilt. I feel that they're too expensive.

On that note, I should mention I'm on a budget, and will probably buy the least expensive kilt that meets my criteria.

Should I buy a sporran? I do need to keep my wallet handy and I don't want to fumble around in my backpack, but it is more money to spend.

AH! I have so many questions. I am grateful to anyone who helps me answer any of these questions. Thanks!

[Bugbear]

Welcome.

I didn't fit in with any crowd when I was a teen, and I didn't dress as others did. I'm sure if I had been able to get a kilt, I would have worn it from time to time, and I would have been just as much an outsider to my peers.

I do have a standard Stillwater kilt. It is a very light weight kilt. However, I would guess that you will need to upsize kilts at your age, so maybe it's a good option and at least a lower cost way to try it out.

I suggest that you buy a sporran, perhaps the Stillwater Economey Sporran, even if you choose to not wear it often. Also, you will need to buy a pair of kilt hose or socks and probably a few other accessories.

Also, know which tartan your kilt is and if it has a connection to a clan etc, and I think you'll do fine to wear the kilt.

Good luck.

[isantop]

Thanks for your reply!

1) Most of my friends are of Anglo decent, and last year a friend of mine (well respected among our crowd, I might add!) wore his kilt. The year before that, another one wore a (probably the same! ) kilt a few days, even to an orchestra concert. After posting, I remembered this and figured it probably would too much of a probalem anyway. (Definatly not as big as my recent venture into learning to speak with a New Zealand Accent!)

2) That is reassuring. I think I may have finally found my kilt!

3) I was planning on buying a sporran, but I figured I should check to be sure. I've also looked at hose, since the kilt comes with free matching flashes. But would the hose look funny in everyday shoes? Also; what about a kilt pin?

4) The tartan I was looking at was the Black Watch, since it features my high school's colors (more friends that way! ), and have heard that it is a "universal" tartan. The SWK Standard is available in Black Watch too.

Thanks for your reply! I can now confidently look forward to many great years in a kilt!

[Nighthawk]

3) I was planning on buying a sporran, but I figured I should check to be sure. I've also looked at hose, since the kilt comes with free matching flashes. But would the hose look funny in everyday shoes? Also; what about a kilt pin?


Thanks for your reply! I can now confidently look forward to many great years in a kilt!

Ah! More questions. Another word for kilt hose is "Socks." They look fine in everyday shoes. I wear mine to work with a pair of black boots every day of the winter. And I only bother with a kilt pin when I'm dressing up a little. My pin cost me $30 and I don't want to lose it, and the cheaper ones, to my eyes, look like cheap pins. Wear one if you like, or don't. They didn't really come into fashion until the Victorian period anyway.

Thanks to everyone! I'm glad that the Kilted community is so much more open than the Linux one!

Thanks to this topic, I've noticed a bit of a conversation change around the house:


--BEFORE--
Mom: You would look so handsome in a Kilt Ian!

Me: Mom! I'm italian!

--AFTER--
Me: Mom! When are we ordering my kilt?

Mom: Soon. They're so expensive, you know...



Now this is something I'm eagerly awaiting! Now that I am properly informed!

Kid, I like your mom! My sister in law is firmly convinced that it is just one step away from cross dressing. My brother never wears his any more... It's so sad.

[planemaker]

Welcome.

I didn't fit in with any crowd when I was a teen, and I didn't dress as others did. I'm sure if I had been able to get a kilt, I would have worn it from time to time, and I would have been just as much an outsider to my peers.

I do have a standard Stillwater kilt. It is a very light weight kilt. However, I would guess that you will need to upsize kilts at your age, so maybe it's a good option and at least a lower cost way to try it out.

I suggest that you buy a sporran, perhaps the Stillwater Economey Sporran, even if you choose to not wear it often. Also, you will need to buy a pair of kilt hose or socks and probably a few other accessories.

Also, know which tartan your kilt is and if it has a connection to a clan etc, and I think you'll do fine to wear the kilt.

Good luck.

Welcome to the addiction!

Paul

[Southern Breeze]

Welcome to the addiction! Just follow our 12 step program and all will be well.

Step 1. Buy kilts.
Step 2. Buy Hose.
Step 3. Buy flashes.
Step 4. Buy sporrans.
Step 5. Buy kilt pins.
Step 6. Buy fly plaids.
Step 7. Buy jackets.
Step 8. Buy sgian dubhs.
Step 9. Buy shoes.
Step 10. Learn to make kilts.
Step 11. Hang out on X-Marks.
Step 12. Repeat as necessary and have a good time with friends and family.
__________________

[CDNSushi]

Yokoso (welcome) to the rabble from Japan!

I'm nowhere near a teen anymore, but I commend your desire to be your own man and to express yourself in such a positive way! That's awesome -- I wish I would have done that a little more myself when I was a teen.

No matter my age, I only got my first kilt this Spring. It was a Utilikilt... That got me interested in traditional kilts too. Now, I'm the proud owner and wearer of numerous others. Like you, I don't have a lick of Scottish blood in me, but that doesn't stop me from wearing kilts -- and you'll find that's a trend around here on the forum. The same way you don't need to be a baseball player to wear a baseball cap or a cowboy to wear blue jeans, you certainly don't need to be Scottish to wear a kilt!

To answer your question, the SWK Standard would make a great first kilt. That was my first traditional kilt too and I do not regret buying it. I would however recommend getting the sporran, even if it's an inexpensive one. Kilts don't have pockets, so you need something to carry your keys, cellphone and money (if nothing else). In addition, I tend to feel it sets you apart as wearing a KILT rather than a skirt and it makes it look a bit more masculine... It's not mandatory, however.

Again, I'm not a teen -- and mileage may vary in how family and friends will react to you, but since none of my friends or family have never imagined me in a kilt, it was new to them too. Honestly, I think personality speaks volumes - maybe even much more than age. I think my personality is such that no matter what I do nowadays, no one seems to be surprised. I didn't make any big announcements or anything. I just started wearing a kilt one day. At first people were a bit taken aback, but that subsides very quickly.

[Oddern]

Hi Isantop,
I to is quite new to the kilted life. I’m not kilted all the time but do it as often as I can. I am way past the teen years so I can't help you on the teenage part of society. My experience in general is that people react very positive, everyone wants to talk to you and ask questions.
Stillwater Kilts is a good choice for a low budget and it goes to any occasion. You don’t need to be of any particular heritage for picking “the right kilt”. Just select the kilt and tartan you like.
You should absolutely get a sporran to your kilt. It’s an important part of the kilt. You should also consider two or three hoses for different occasions.

[Ivy]

Well, it sounds like you're already pretty self assured. If you wear it with confidence you can't go wrong. You may encounter resistance from family or peers who don't get it, but stand tall and everything will be cool. Besides, your teenage years will be over before you realize it and after that who cares?

The SWK Standard is a great kilt for the money. It is by no means a replacement for a handmade heavyweight wool kilt, but it is well made and comfortable. A great introductory kilt. As for the tartan, wear what you like but know what you are wearing and a little bit about it. If you are truly concerned with offending anyone by wearing the wrong tartan, the SWK Standard comes in several "universal tartans" (i.e. Blackwatch, Irish National, Saffron, Nightstalker). Oh, and a sporran is really handy. Just make sure you match your leather colors...

[TheBlueCow]

Denver, huh? It may be a bit chilly to start wearing a SWK standard (as previously noted it's a lightweight kilt). I don't know how soon you're planning to get your kilt, but you'd probably want to wait 'til spring time to start wearing it outside, but by all means, start wearing it inside around the house, it'll help you get used to wearing it.

As others have said, you probably want a sporran and some kilt hose. I have a SWK standard - but no sporran -and as a result I haven't worn it out yet. You'll inevitably find a time when you'll be wearing your kilt w/o your backpack and that you'll need your wallet, keys, cell phone, etc. I'm thinking you're planning to wear it with casual boots? The kilt hose come in handy for the chillier weather, and help to "dress up" the kilt for semi-formal (if combined with dress shoes and a dress shirt). Eventually you might want a nice 2" kilt belt that will help complete the look.

You might want to start reading up on witty responses to questions/comments you may receive, it can come in handy.

Happy kilting!