Tonight the Night (and Tommorrow too )

[Bill]

Good Day to All!

Well the moment has arrived, this is the weekend of the 125th anniversary of the founding of our Church and I've commited to attend kilted. Last night as we were preparing to retire my Bride of nearly 31 years asked what I planned to wear to the dinner tonight and I said I was thinking about it. She said why don't you were your kilt? Well now I had planned to wear it to the morning services but hadn't given thought to the dinner () so I am going kilted tonight also. Here's the rub, I've only one jacket to wear with the kilt and I dislike wearing the same outfit twice in a row. Our weather may not permit a sweater to be worn comfortably so I am wondering if a standard mens' suit vest would be acceptable? (Ham?) BTW the vest is grey the Tartan is Black Stewart.

Now on to the second part of my post... Guys I'm ashamed to admit this (especially in the face of our many full-time kilted brethren) but I've got furious butterflies about doing this, This occasion will be the first time I have worn the kilt more than just casually about the house and yard. I'm going public in a big way. One encouraging note is that my wife expects it, wants to dress to compliment, and is approaching it as a matter fact which means she is comfortable with it.

So here we go....Charge!!!!

Thanks for listening.

Bill

[Graham]

Hi Bill, I guess by the time you read this the event is over, so tell me..how did it go?

we all understand how hard it can be to appear in a kilt among your friends and peers.

I was worried the first time I wore a kilt to church, it gets easier all the time.
I preach every week in church - kilted, and while it's a small fellowship, they have all accepted me well.

Just remember..you're doing nothing that is wrong, immodest or unbiblical in any way.
You'll most likely get lots of compliments.

Hope all went well.

[bubba]

Bill, the vest should work fine. Just relax and go with it. A kilt generally gets a very positive response and it appears your wife expects it to go well. Trust her instincts.

[Hamish]

.................................................. ................... I've only one jacket to wear with the kilt and I dislike wearing the same outfit twice in a row. Our weather may not permit a sweater to be worn comfortably so I am wondering if a standard mens' suit vest would be acceptable? (Ham?) BTW the vest is grey the Tartan is Black Stewart.

Bill, I doubt whether I am in time to respond prior to the event either and, in any case, I'm not sure that I understand your American standards of dress sufficiently well to give you advice.

Could you wear a sweater to a Dinner? I couldn't - it's far too casual! So, it seems you have no choice but to wear the vest (we call that a waistcoat, and it is seldom worn without a matching jacket over here!) The backs of many suit waistcoats are not intended to be seen, but a lot depends upon the style available. However, I do realise that the American attitude to dress is more relaxed than ours and you do seem to mix and match to a far greater degree than ever we (or most of us) could. If you can wear a plain white shirt with the grey waistcoat and Black Stewart kilt, maybe with grey or black kilt hose and black shoes, I'd say you can get away with it. Whatever you do, Bill, do not be tempted to wear the suit jacket with your kilt! Suit jackets and blazers are far too long to compliment the kilt and make you look "all body and no legs"!

If you are likely to attend more of these, or similar, evening dinners you should invest in a Potaine-style of waistcoat which is intended to be viewed from all angles and is more like a sleeveless jacket. Whether you wear also a Jacobite shirt as well is your choice (it can look really smart), but any plain, long sleeved, preferably white, shirt will do nicely.

Now on to the second part of my post... Guys I'm ashamed to admit this (especially in the face of our many full-time kilted brethren) but I've got furious butterflies about doing this, This occasion will be the first time I have worn the kilt more than just casually about the house and yard. I'm going public in a big way. One encouraging note is that my wife expects it, wants to dress to compliment, and is approaching it as a matter fact which means she is comfortable with it.

So here we go....Charge!!!!

Thanks for listening.

Bill

Bill, believe me you have nothing to fear. You have a supportive wife at your side (which many guys do not), and you will receive both praise and compliments. Revel in that. I wish I were in your shoes, instead of sitting here on my own all evening!!

Go and enjoy ............. and tell us all about it tomorrow.

[GMan]

Bill,

Butterflies are natural! You seem to have a good grasp on what you are going to wear, and just remember to wear one great big smile

[MDR-V300]

Good luck, Bill!
I predict that the butterflies will only make the whole experience more exciting.
I, for one, think a sweater is just fine for a dinner.

[Mike1]

Hey Bill, take it from a pastor that doesn't own very many (as in three) suits - THINK ACCESSORIES!

You know, a different tie can give you a completely different look, even though the jacket remains the same. Different tie and different kilt hose can give you a whole new look.

Don't let those butterflies get you, OK? You know how good it feels to be kilted and you know how good you look when you are. Right? So don't let cement-heads (those with thoroughly mixed-up and permanently set minds) influence you in any way!

I hope your celebration is truly blessed!!

Peace,
Mike

[Bill]

Hello Everyone:

First I want to say a sincere thanks for the encouragement each of you gave they were and are much appreciated!

The last two days have been a wonderful invigorating experiance both spiritually and personally. Saturday evening my wife Sibyl and I attended the anniversary dinner I wore my kilt with a dark navy blue jacket (altered according to Thompsons book),white shirt and grey tie with black kilt hose and green flashes (the only color I have). The response was heartening to say the least. There were the usual "are you scottish" remarks, some "good looking legs" an invitation to the St. Andrews Society dinner in November. There were quite a few pictures taken sadly none by us as our camera got left behind in the flurry of getting there. On Sunday morning I again wore the kilt this time with a grey shirt, black tie and v-neck black sweater. The weather started off in the mid forties (Fahrenheit) so the outfit was comfortable but wouldn't have been the night before. I recieved much the same comments as the night before, all positive. There were two notable ones our anniversary chairwoman made a point of telling me that she was glad that I had worn the kilt and she hoped to see it more. The second comment was more quizzical, I was asked by a lady if I was "entitled to wear the kilt" that gave me a moments pause then I replied respectfully that "Yes I was" that seemed to satisfy her. She then asked if I was a member of the St. Andrews Society and invited me to the dinner in November (2nd invitation).

I had to change into a pair of slacks for a short while Sunday afternoon after nearly two days of going about in a kilt all I can say is "bloody 'eck!!!"

I have now had my Baptism by fire and I am ready for more. (Let me see what bank can I rob so I can get a another kilt to wear for good?)

So..."All in all not bad; not bad at all." 8)

Thanks again to all for your support!

Bill

[bubba]

Sounds like you had a great time. Entitled to wear a kilt? You're male and that's all the entitlement you need.

[bikercelt1]

Bill, I'm glad this was a positive weekend for you. I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to read your post before the fact because I would have tried to set your mind at rest. I've been wearing my kilt at church for over a year (well, actually the kilt is everyday wear for me now) and it's not been a bit of problem yet. I know there are a few individuals who would like to make an issue of my kilts but the community at large has accepted me in the kilt for so long now that if they tried they'd just make themselves look foolish. Be confident Bill, people admire confidence, and there's nothing as confident as a proud man in his kilt.

Jamie