Greetings From The Road

[KiltedTrucker]

Hello!

As I just joined here I thought I should introduce myself. I am a 54 year old trucker in the USA. I mostly haul oversize loads such as fire trucks, military vehicles, and assorted other large, heavy things. My ancestry is primarily Irish, as is my surname, but also includes Scottish, and Apache (my father was half Apache).

I've always liked the idea of wearing a kilt although I never actually followed up on it until earlier this month. I purchased two kilts, both black, one from UT and one from DNKE. I like both very much but, alas, I have been in brutally cold winter weather since receiving them and have yet to actually wear them other than trying them on. As I lived most of my life in Florida and I am real wimp when it comes to cold weather.

I currently have a rather ample beer belly and have been working hard to shed the extra weight. I've lost 60+lbs so far, but have about 25-30 lbs yet to drop before being at a happy place, weight-wise. For this reason, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on kilts that will likely not fit me in a few months. Of course I would love to have a nice heavy wool tartan, possibly in American Heritage or Irish National tartan, but from what I have seen of the prices that may remain out of my reach, financially speaking.

I've seen some tartans in an acrylic fabric, but am unsure as to whether or not they would be any good. I hope to learn as I go along here.

I also purchased a couple of sporrans, one all leather and one plated. I like them both but due to the aforementioned belly, both sporran straps are too short for my ample girth. I solved this by purchasing a pair of sporran suspenders. I'm sure you fine folks already know they are leather straps that loop around the belt, with chains to connect the sporran. It seems like a good solution for now. I've also picked up a couple of kilt belts and buckles, along with a kilt pin.

I'm still unsure as to whether or not a sporran should actually be worn with a utility kilt being as the kilt itself has pockets. I like the way the sporran looks, so barring learning that this is a major faux pas, I'll wear one.

I have so far been pretty happy with the items I've purchased, with the exception of spending money to learn that not all dirks are created equal. I purchased one that turned out to be simply decoration and the blade had no edge at all. Judging by the steel I would say it can't be edged. I am hoping to learn of a good source for a proper dirk and sgian dubh as I don't want to waste any more money on garbage. Live and learn, experience can be a brutal teacher.

One item that concerns me is the proper upkeep of the kilts. I can easily wash them at any truck stop but I am certain they will need to be ironed, and that is a problem for which I am currently at a loss to solve. As I basically live in a truck, along with the occasional hotel room, ironing is problematic.

Any way, this seems to be already far too long for an introduction. I very much look forward to getting acquainted with the fine ladies and gentlemen of this community and learning more about the whole subject of kilts, kilt wearing, and such things as are associated with the same.