First day in public kilted...

[Foosinho]

... and it's been a smashing success! I have to admit, I was pretty nervous about it. Grey polo with work branding, Irish National kilt from Stillwater, basic black belt and sporran, cheap grey hose with saffron flashes, and black boots. But people have been largely very positive (with the first question "why the kilt?"). Also gotten the "what does one wear under the kilt" (but not directly; the woman asked someone else. Really not appropriate at work!), and "where are your bagpipes". But whatever - everybody loves it.

Even found out the guy in the cube next to mine has 3 Utilikilts! He's thinking about going home at lunch to change.

This was just the bit of confidence I needed. I'm excited to wear it to the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin OH tomorrow, and pretty sure I'm going to start wearing it out to the pubs fairly often.

Now for some nicer hose, a belt, sporrans...

[Catdad]

I'm happy to hear it was a great success for you! I wish I could wear a kilt to work, but HR has said "no".

As I warn other single kilt owners...be warned single kilts like to be with others of their kind, so one kilt will soon demand others and before you know it, you'll be addicted like me.

"Why the kilt?" followed by "Are you Scottish?" are the two most common questions I've been getting since I've been kilted.

Kilt on!

[Foosinho]

I'm happy to hear it was a great success for you! I wish I could wear a kilt to work, but HR has said "no".

It didn't even occur to me to ask HR. After all, it's just a piece of clothing. I work on a university campus, however, so I doubt it'd be a problem. I guess I'll find out! I think the phrase is "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission", right?

As I warn other single kilt owners...be warned single kilts like to be with others of their kind, so one kilt will soon demand others and before you know it, you'll be addicted like me.

I've already got my next 2 (maybe 3) picked out.

[walkerk]

Congratulations on your first day out. Do you find you stand taller?

I work on a university campus, however, so I doubt it'd be a problem. I guess I'll find out! I think the phrase is "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission", right?

A university campus, you say? The story of Jerry Griffin is an old one but worth reading. Have a look: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

[Jack Daw]

It didn't even occur to me to ask HR. After all, it's just a piece of clothing. I work on a university campus, however, so I doubt it'd be a problem. I guess I'll find out! I think the phrase is "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission", right?


I've already got my next 2 (maybe 3) picked out.

Congrats on the inaugeration. My best bud works at the University of Texas and wears the kilt anytime he feels like it, which is a lot.

[Foosinho]

Great to hear you had a good experience. I live in Delaware OH and have been wearing my kilts a lot this summer, especially after finding Xmarks. I will also be going to the Dublin Irish festival on Saturday. If my new Stillwater Irish national
economy comes in tomorrow I will be wearing it.Otherwise I will probable wear my Stillwater Leatherneck Standard. I will keep an eye out for you and hope to see you.

I saw a couple other Irish National tartans. Had the guy teaching the Irish 101 workshop poke a little fun at me (but in general there were a few Scottish jokes from the Irishmen there. I won't repeat them here!). That was quite literally the only mention of the kilt, which is unsurprising given how many there were (most of them contemporary kilts). There was one guy who looked like he was a piper in one of the pipe and drum bands who liked my t-shirt (not at all kilt related)!

Congrats on the inaugeration. My best bud works at the University of Texas and wears the kilt anytime he feels like it, which is a lot.

Sadly, my association with the university will almost certainly be coming to an end at the end of August (not by my choice - tough times and all that). I have my doubts about many other employers being as flexible as a university environment can be. So it might be a while until I can try that again.

After seeing some of the really nice hose some of the pipers were wearing, I definitely need some good hose. I'd really like to get a nicer belt and sporran too. That stuff is going to have to wait until I get a new job, tho. And I'm really wanting a nice wool kilt; I generally like my Stillwater for what it is, but after being able to compare the look of the wool ones to my acrylic one, I'm definitely wanting an upgrade. It's a fine casual kilt, tho.

It was warm on Saturday, too. The breeze was nice, but I was definitely dealing with some very uncomfortable friction issues after about 12 hours out there. And sporrans provide a very limited amount of storage - I haven't quite worked out how to carry my multitool and flashlight along with wallet, keys, cellphone and any miscellaneous junk. Pockets were a pretty good invention. Pointers welcome!

For other central Ohio folks, you should definitely check out the Columbus Fire & Police Pipes & Drums. It's a small group of full-time police and firefighters. Very informal - they were all wearing Utilikilts - but they were decent enough, and fun. They played some traditional Ohio State University music. Carmen Ohio is stunning on pipes. I also enjoyed Mossy Moran, a Cleveland-based Irish musician who plays a ton of traditional Irish rebel music. (You can find videos of both on YouTube.)

[MrLion]

My brother and I went out w our kilts for the first time outside of a celtic event this past weekend: a food festival at a local park. It was fun to notice the looks of surprise and acceptance. One very old lady walked her bicycle right between us to tell us "you two look really HOT!"
Had a few shouts of encouragement. One DOES walk taller!
I understand about having to wait for budget to upgrade. Enjoy what you have. Thanks for sharing.

[sathor]

It was warm on Saturday, too. The breeze was nice, but I was definitely dealing with some very uncomfortable friction issues after about 12 hours out there. And sporrans provide a very limited amount of storage - I haven't quite worked out how to carry my multitool and flashlight along with wallet, keys, cellphone and any miscellaneous junk. Pockets were a pretty good invention. Pointers welcome!

I was going to link to Jerry's Cargo Sporran (Stillwater kilts) but I don't see it, he must be out of stock at the moment. It holds a fair bit.

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

Kudos on your public appearance. Never ask HR. They will always say no to everything. It's in their training.

[pdcorlis]

Congratulations! I still remember the exhilaration of that first kilted day. Sounds like you're off to a great start - and the good news is - it gets even better!

NEVER underestimate the power of the kilt!