New English kilt wearer advice

**kiltlad82** · 6th May 12, 08:24 AM

Hi

I'm 28 and a new kilt wearer from England and wanted to say hi and see if there are other people out there like me. Basically my kilt wearing started last year when I got a cheap kilt to wear to a Burns' Supper and ceildh in England. My rugby team mate, who is Scottish, came along in his real woolen kilt and because I have a bit of a crush on him (he knows I'm gay but doesn't know I fancy him) I started becoming really interested in kilts. Obviously us both being 'regimental' was part of the enjoyment but actually I really just like the look of the whole outfit - I think only masculine men can successfully pull off a kilt and it enhances not diminishes their manliness. I know his girlfriend enjoys him in his kilt as well.

A few months later we went to a black tie dinner, him in his kilt and prince charlie, me in my tux, and after that I decided that I wanted to get the full outfit. My friend said I didn't have to be Scottish to wear a kilt so I got a wool kilt and prince charlie etc off eBay and wore it to the next Burns' Supper. I now love my kilt and we've been up to watch the rugby in Scotland in our kilts. I recently went to a wedding in England and my mate said I should wear my kilt but I wimped out - I feel like unless I am at a Scottish event I will just come across as the 'English guy in a skirt' which will ruin the experience. It's a real shame because I want to be able to wear my kilt more than just once or twice a year but don't want it to bring negative attention.

Does anyone have a similar experience? Would love to chat by forum or email with others who feel they can relate!

Cheers

John

**Schiehallion** · 6th May 12, 08:35 AM

Hi there John and welcome.

I wear my kilt to 'English' weddings that are formal as I don't own an English suit. So go for it! I am kilted as often as I choose and it's good to see other guys around kilted as well. Last week I was in a pub in Soho (Duke) only to see another guy kilted. we were drawn to say hello and had an interesting chat. Both of us are not Scots by birth (I am by ancestry) Wear your kilt with pride and enjoy. You often get compliments but do beware of drunken women.... they are the worse around a kilted guy.
Happy to chat/email with you.

**English Bloke** · 6th May 12, 08:44 AM

I have no issues with wearing the Kilt in England or Scotland (or Wales for that matter). I've only had a few negative comments that I found perplexing more than anything but nothing I'm unable to deal with. The positives of Kilt wearing far outweigh the negatives.

There are a few English Kilties on this site as well as many supportive folks from many other countries. You'll be surprised. And your mate is right, you don't HAVE to be Scottish (although it undoubtedly helps, depending on where you are at the time).

The best way to get used to Kilt wearing outside of a "proper occasion" is strap the thing on and go about your business. I'm in mine at least a portion of three or four days a week.

There are plenty of picture threads on here of Kilties doing ordinary daily stuff, rather than the formal Scottish Do type thing. Have a shufftie in this section (clicky) and a good guide to "Kilt Formality" (clicky again) was also posted here by two former Moderators.

Oh aye. And welcome to the Forum from Lancashire England.

Edit: Forgot to say. This can turn out to be an expensive interest. Try not to let it take over your life!! Just thought I'd mention it... MMmwwwwaahhaahaahaahaaaaa!

**Paul Henry** · 6th May 12, 08:54 AM

Welcome as well,
Another non-scot here, and I wear a kilt as often as I can, and seldom find any adverse comments from people, usually veyr favourable comments, so wear a kilt whenever you like!
I don't know where you are, but if you are ever around London, let us know and we can see if can can have a meet up!

**Cygnus** · 6th May 12, 09:12 AM

Welcome to the Rabble!

I'm mostly with you on when to wear the kilt. I always hesitate to wear a kilt to a non-Scottish event, but have been asked to on a couple of occasions. I think I'm getting a bit more bold in my kilt-wearing, but still feel I should be careful not to steal the spotlight or give the wrong impression.

**Chas** · 6th May 12, 09:18 AM

Hello John and welcome.

Your friend is quite right about not needing to be Scottish. Of course, most Englishmen have a Scottish relative tucked away somewhere in their ancestry. So a "I'm Scottish on my father's side", would not be a lie. And even if it was - how would anyone know?

The best way is to wear your kilt as often as you can. Till those that know you call you Kilted John and those that don't - well why would they ask?

Regards

Chas

**English Bloke** · 6th May 12, 09:29 AM

You know you're ahead of the game when people ask you why you're NOT wearing a Kilt. Seems to be a typical response around me now anyway.

**RAF** · 6th May 12, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

You know you're ahead of the game when people ask you why you're NOT wearing a Kilt. Seems to be a typical response around me now anyway.

So true. I wear my kilts at least two times a week to work, as well as when just out and about. It's come to a point where customers where I work will now often ask me why I am NOT wearing a kilt on any given day. Enjoy the experience. Like many things it gets easier and "more natural" with practice. Welcome!

**Piipriker** · 6th May 12, 01:01 PM

welcome from Germany

**brewerpaul** · 6th May 12, 10:21 AM

Greetings from the Colonies in mid Missouri

Welcome to the enjoyment of kilt wearing. Being Texan with German heritage I am likely one of the last persons someone might expect to wear kilts. I went to Scotland for a bike tour last June, bought my first off the rack kilt, and have been going uphill since. You dont need special occasions to wear a kilt, I wear mine daily. This also means I dont always wear a tank but have a few kilts for daily wear and the pubs. The enjoyment is collecting all the kit and then working with different looks from casual to dressed out. Having a tank and PC jacket is great but you need some kilts to spill beer on in the pub or wear to the movies or park. It does get to be an addiction that is unbreakable by a 12 step program. Thing to do is be comfortable, walk proud, wear it often and enjoy the compliments from men and women both.

As far as weddings go I do check with the bride and groom before ever thinking of wearing one, but if they say yes then wear it......

Enjoy....