Fear of Impending Doom, What Was he Most Difficult Place to Wear Your Kilt?

[Riverkilt]

What was the most difficult place/situation to wear your kilt in when you first started wearing kilts. That place you thought ahead of time, "Oh no...I'm not sure this is going to work out well."

I think most of us had a fear of showing up kilted for the first time somewhere. Might help the new folks understand how normal these fears are.

For me I had three...first was the worst...showing up kiltled at my AA Home Group. For folks who don't understand the culture of Alcoholics Anonymous the comradarie is like most any sports team locker room...or regulars at a bar (without the booze of course) we love each other but dang - give the group an opening and they're gonna raz you.

Second was being in court kilted - what's the judge gonna do/say?

Third was being in jail kilted (on business). Are the detention officers gonna deny me entry? Are the inmates gonna raz me?

#1 went exactly as I'd feared...got razzed a lot. #2 and #3 were no problem, nothing said. Go figure.

So, what about the rest of you rabble? Didja have any fears about showing up kilted for the first time somewhere?

Ron

[Tartan Hiker]

You're right about the first time being hard. I remember walking into the pub thinking "Man, I didn't know I had sweat glands there".

The frist time I wore the formal kit to my high school's prom (as a teacher, not a student) was pretty nerve-wracking, but it was better than fine after all. Even the toughest kids came up to me with a compliment or a thumbs up.

[McMurdo]

Good question Ron, the first time I showed up to an AA meeting kilted I was a bit worried about it, what would my friends of 13 years at the time, say? What would the newcomer think? All of these things went through my head, I'm glad to say that my experience was different from yours, people seemed to like it, and I mainly got compliments. I went to traffic court once in a kilt, again like you nothing said though I did really worry about it.
Funny I never really worried about it when I first went to work in a kilt. I found early on that I worried about just going out the door, that quickly changed with experience. Now it matters not where I go most people look forward to the kilt.

[Bugbear]

Probably down at the ceramics studio. Not because of what anyone might think, but the potential for ruining the kilt.

[Kerr the Walker]

I first started wearing my kilt to various fraternity special events while in college. Never really had any hesitation in doing that. We all gave eachother a hard time regardless, and having a kilt on didn't increase or decrease it.

The first time I felt a little anxious wearing the kilt was when I first wore it to work. I hadn't been there that long and wasn't quite sure how my co-workers (many of whom were career military folks) were going to react. It ended up not being a problem. Got the usual mix of compliments and "other". Haven't really thought about it since.

[Spc. Scott]

Shortly after I had started wearing kilts (almost a year ago now) my wife wanted to order food from a restaurant/bar that is just downtown a bit. Normally we would just have them deliver it but I was really craving some Chinese from a place just down the street from them. So I order my Chinese and tell Christina I'll just run out and pick them up.

So I jump in the car and just get away from the house and it occurs to me there is a reason that I never frequent this particular place that my wife ordered from. It is the kind of place that really only ever has "regulars" in there. Now in general I have no problem with a detail like this but anytime I have ever been in there I have gotten the "what are you doing here" look from the regulars. So a long time ago (pre-kilt era) I decided that I liked a more friendly atmosphere if I am to head out.

After picking up my order I swing on up to pick up Chris' food. I start to get a bit anxious as I think about the look I used to get when entering in jeans. So I steel myself, pick my head up, and march right in there. I think the best defense being a good offense I'll ward off and remarks by looking like own the place.

I guess it worked, at least for the short period I was in there, as I didn't hear a peep out of anyone. It was a real confidence builder at the time.

[DWFII]

Last summer, when I had a full kit although only daywear, I went with my wife to a Wool and Fiber Gathering in a little...almost ghost...town in Central Oregon (Shaniko). Mostly sheep ranchers selling fleeces and a few "fiber artists."

This is ranch country out this way and even the sheepmen think they are cowboys. No nonsense types, in any case.

But I figured what the heck, my kilt is wool and the best quality wool at that.

Well, I got lots of looks...including one stare down from an old, prune-faced ranchers wife who clearly disapproved (she was wearing pants), whose husband stopped to ask me if I played the pipes and wasn't really sure if he liked the "look" or not, or if he was even allowed to like it.

Other than that, the rest of the day was kind of normal...not even one "question" for that matter.

Since that event, I have not really thought much about what kind of reception I (or the kilt) would receive...although, to tell the truth, I do not wear the kilt regularly. My work is dirty and damaging to any clothing I wear and my shop is at the back of my property. So I just wear it whenever I am going out to a restaurant or some other "event"--like a suit, sort of.

[MrMayhem]

I think the initial "fear" of "whats everyone gonna say" is the hardest thing to get over, unless your bigger than everyone else, lol, then they usually tremble at your sight, run away screaming tearing out hair in the process, or just sit quietly in the corner whimpering, lol!!!

Honestly though, I think the hardest for me was going to church last Sunday kilted. As I was getting dressed it really didnt dawn on me that it might not be a good idea, I had a spectacular day before hand, work, out with the guys at a hockey game. So I figured why not? But after arriving at church, and talking with a few friends there and catching those oh so slight raised eyebrows, lol, and talking with the priest afterwards, turns out it wasnt as bad as I felt...lol!!!

[vmac3205]

Last summer, when I had a full kit although only daywear, I went with my wife to a Wool and Fiber Gathering in a little...almost ghost...town in Central Oregon (Shaniko). Mostly sheep ranchers selling fleeces and a few "fiber artists."

This is ranch country out this way and even the sheepmen think they are cowboys. No nonsense types, in any case.

But I figured what the heck, my kilt is wool and the best quality wool at that.

Well, I got lots of looks...including one stare down from an old, prune-faced ranchers wife who clearly disapproved (she was wearing pants), whose husband stopped to ask me if I played the pipes and wasn't really sure if he liked the "look" or not, or if he was even allowed to like it.

Other than that, the rest of the day was kind of normal...not even one "question" for that matter.

Since that event, I have not really thought much about what kind of reception I (or the kilt) would receive...although, to tell the truth, I do not wear the kilt regularly. My work is dirty and damaging to any clothing I wear and my shop is at the back of my property. So I just wear it whenever I am going out to a restaurant or some other "event"--like a suit, sort of.

Oh man, was that a blast from the past. When I was a kid, (50 years ago) my family would stay all night a thte Shaniko Hotel - before it was refurbished - then go on over to Tygh valley to the All-Indian Rodeo. I had a friend from CFG camp who's dad owned a sheep ranch, and Shaniko was the closest town. Wow, haven't thought of that place in years.

[mbhandy]

I had the fear of wearing a non traditional kilt to Home Depot, a canvas Carhart type. A little girl was therewith her Mom and ask why is that man wearing a skirt. The Mom said It is a kilt and then asked where I got mine and wanted to get one for her husband.
Got over the doubt real quick.

MrBill