Encouragement to wear the kilt

[kilted2000]

I'm in need of some encouragement. I haven't worn a kilt in over 15 years, so long that I seem to have misplaced the kilt I had before. So I'm practically a kilt newbie again. Yesterday I received my USAK casual kilt in Scottish National tartan. Now all I need is the courage to actually wear it out. I'm planning on going to a concert of Christmas music held in my church tonight. I would like to wear the kilt, but I'm nervous about what people might think. I really don't know that many people there, but I do see at least some of them once a week. I know it takes courage to wear a kilt, I just need a little help getting out of the door. I live in the American Bible belt if that is relevant.

[Jock Scot]

I'm in need of some encouragement. I haven't worn a kilt in over 15 years, so long that I seem to have misplaced the kilt I had before. So I'm practically a kilt newbie again. Yesterday I received my USAK casual kilt in Scottish National tartan. Now all I need is the courage to actually wear it out. I'm planning on going to a concert of Christmas music held in my church tonight. I would like to wear the kilt, but I'm nervous about what people might think. I really don't know that many people there, but I do see at least some of them once a week. I know it takes courage to wear a kilt, I just need a little help getting out of the door. I live in the American Bible belt if that is relevant.

Yes I can imagine it is difficult wearing the kilt outwith the Highlands of Scotland for the first time for a long while. I have no idea how your local community will view the kilt and it being worn locally. So, just do it! You may be pleasantly surprised.

[OC Richard]

For almost my entire adult life (I'm in my 60s now) I haven't owned a suit, and wear Highland Dress for those occasional functions where a suit would be expected.

I generally get little reaction, and that positive.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

In my University days I was dating a violinist and often attended glittering black-tie galas with her, and I always felt I was the best-dressed man in the room. Never a bad thing!

Best-dressed doesn't mean over-dressed, meaning keeping one's Highland Dress to the appropriate level of formality.

So if men are in suits, a tweed Day Dress jacket, ordinary necktie, plain leather sporran, plain co-ordinating hose, and ordinary brogues would do the trick. Sadly it's common here in the USA to see men wear Highland Evening Dress to quite informal functions.

[Brian Rose]

Once I got a good wool kilt, I've worn it for Christmas. Two services. Waistcoat and jacket for early and a cable-knit jumper for late. It's always well received and earns complements. I think there were a couple of odd looks the first time but nothing on subsequent wearings.
It's been so well received that I've expanded beyond Christmas to a few other services as well. Midwest and fairly liberal congregation. It may also help that I'm fairly active in church life.

[kilted2000]

It has been pointed out by someone that it might not be a good idea to wear a kilt in a situation where it would make you the center of attention such as a small concert in a church. Thoughts of the Rabble?

[Jock Scot]

It has been pointed out by someone that it might not be a good idea to wear a kilt in a situation where it would make you the center of attention such as a small concert in a church. Thoughts of the Rabble?

You do have a point. Two words to remember when you start kilt wearing are, subtle and subdued. Leave the rather more eye-catching attire for later when the occasion arrises and once your attire has been accepted.

[OC Richard]

It has been pointed out by someone that it might not be a good idea to wear a kilt in a situation where it would make you the center of attention such as a small concert in a church. Thoughts of the Rabble?

Yes indeed, I would never dream of doing anything that would draw attention to myself when attending Church as a congregant. That includes dressing in an unusual way.

If it's a Kirking Of The Tartans, or a Scottish themed wedding, then I would be kilted like the other men.

As a piper I'm often hired to pipe at weddings, memorials, and other church services and then Highland Dress is expected.

At a concert, whatever the venue, I generally wouldn't be kilted unless it was a Scottish group performing.

In other words I tend to follow whatever the general dress of the event would be.

Now, a Christmas concert is a festive event, so I might wear Highland Dress simply to be festive, and because I don't have any non-Highland "nice clothes".

[mddock58]

It has been pointed out by someone that it might not be a good idea to wear a kilt in a situation where it would make you the center of attention such as a small concert in a church. Thoughts of the Rabble?

I have been the only person in my congregation that wears a kilt for years.
I have worn it to Weddings, Memorial services, Christmas, Easter, etc. For Weddings, I always ask the bride, it is her day.
Most other times I am almost assured to be the best dressed, or one of the best dressed there.
I was asked to sing with a group of other men, and was asked to NOT wear the kilt, and I was asked by a number of people why I didn't wear it.

I think it is a matter of what is or becomes common. People adapt and understand after a while that it no longer becomes costume, but clothing.

[Wowbagger427]

I'm in need of some encouragement. I haven't worn a kilt in over 15 years, so long that I seem to have misplaced the kilt I had before. So I'm practically a kilt newbie again. Yesterday I received my USAK casual kilt in Scottish National tartan. Now all I need is the courage to actually wear it out. I'm planning on going to a concert of Christmas music held in my church tonight. I would like to wear the kilt, but I'm nervous about what people might think. I really don't know that many people there, but I do see at least some of them once a week. I know it takes courage to wear a kilt, I just need a little help getting out of the door. I live in the American Bible belt if that is relevant.

I too, was pretty nervous about wearing kilts in public at first. However, I was pleasantly surprised... I have since worn a kilt to church, to various formal functions, the hardware store, restaurants, the office, a company picnic and out for what my wife and I call "walkabout". Heck, I wore my Blackwatch kilt on Manitoulin Island this past summer - we were up there for the Perseids Meteor Shower and camped in a Dark Sky Preserve - rained practically the whole time we were there but, that's another story.

Anyway - my advice to you is, strap it on! Wear it like you were born in it. But, be prepared for one of the three inevitable questions:

1) Are you regimental?
2) What's the occasion?
3) Where's yer pipes?

Wowbagger427

[Touchstone]

I too, was pretty nervous about wearing kilts in public at first. However, I was pleasantly surprised... I have since worn a kilt to church, to various formal functions, the hardware store, restaurants, the office, a company picnic and out for what my wife and I call "walkabout". Heck, I wore my Blackwatch kilt on Manitoulin Island this past summer - we were up there for the Perseids Meteor Shower and camped in a Dark Sky Preserve - rained practically the whole time we were there but, that's another story.

Anyway - my advice to you is, strap it on! Wear it like you were born in it. But, be prepared for one of the three inevitable questions:

1) Are you regimental?
2) What's the occasion?
3) Where's yer pipes?

Wowbagger427

I presume the traditional response to #3 is to slap your "pockets" and say "I must have left them in my other kilt"?