One year trouser-free!

[Dollander]

One year ago today, my first kilt arrived in the mail. It was nothing spectacular, just a (presumably Pakistani) utility kilt in a Rayon-blend knockoff of Marton Mills' "Grey Highlander" tartan, but I was nonetheless all too excited to try it on. I took a pic and sent it to a friend to ask if I should wear it to work the following day, and she not only encouraged me to do so but even admitted that I look better in a kilt than in jeans. That, combined with the overall positive reaction from my friends, family, coworkers, and even complete strangers, led me to never wear trousers again.

While those first few kilts have since been retired in favor of my self-made versions, they changed my life forever. I know, that may sound a bit dramatic, but I don't know how else to say it. It's boosted my confidence, more so than even joining a gym and losing 40 pounds did. My posture has improved, I take longer strides...hell, I now actively enjoy walking for its own sake, if only to feel the fabric swishing behind me as I move. Come to think of it, that's probably why I've only gained back 10 of those lost pounds now that I haven't been getting to said gym very often.



On the left is that very pic that I sent to my friend, and the one on the right is me earlier today in my most recently completed kilt (Malcolm Modern polyviscose). While I've kept to the same overall medium-apron, RevK style, I've made improvements to the design as I saw fit: a more pronounced taper and deeper pleats for the aprons, polyester reinforcement in the waistband (particularly important for the wool ones), and of course swapping snaps for straps/buckles and including a fringe...oh, and not bothering with pockets as I've long since come to prefer a sporran. And when you consider that the most complex garment I'd made prior was a very simple magician's robe back in my Ren Faire days, it certainly doesn't hurt my confidence when people are impressed or even surprised to learn I made them myself. So on the rare occasion someone tries to get a rise out of me with a "nice skirt" quip, I can easily laugh it off. Because my "skirt" makes me feel way more self-assured...and dare I say, manly...than trousers ever could.