Kilt Debut: Christmas & Anniversary

[FatherWilliam57]

Well, I finally took the plunge! Three wonderful days...Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and our 30th Anniversary (Feast of Stephen or Boxing Day, take your pick). I am a nit-picker myself, so feel free to pick all the nits you wish so I can improve my appearance next time. First, heading out to worship on Christmas Eve:





Since I did not have time to custom order a new clerical vest, I went out on Friday, Dec. 23rd and bought a dress shirt, ties, and pocket silks for the first time in over 20 years. Opted for the maroon kilt hose, tie and pocket silk for Christmas Eve. The yellow garter ties I bought online did not wish to cooperate, so I went without.

Wasn't sure how my congregation would respond to the kilt. While in the narthex before the service, the first member through the door walked straight up to me and asked, "Which tartan?" I responded Henderson. I asked if she had a Douglass sash, to which she applied in the affirmative. I asked where it was. She said to let her know the next time I planned on being kilted at worship and she would wear it.

Forget the kilt. I think the biggest shock among my parishioners was the fact this was the first time they had seen me in a dress shirt and tie! I did have a couple veterans comment on my "skate shoes" (patent leather). I told them to check their glasses and look again at a proper Navy spit shine on a regulation pair of quarter-heights. At least I know they were impressed!

Christmas Day, I opted for the charcoal hose and gray tie and pocket silk:



I think some of them were a bit disappointed I put on my alb and chasuble for mass, rather than just celebrate with the kilt (but that goes against my sensibilities in worship).

Finally, on December 26th, my wife and I celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary. Here we are going to dinner:



(In all fairness, Debra makes me look good, no matter what I am wearing.)

I know I garnered more than a few glances from various diners, but no one made any comments directly to me. It was about 28 degrees outside, and I overheard a few men say it was too cold out to be wearing "something like that." If they only knew! It may only be a five-yard, 13 oz. kilt, but I was quite warm.

Last, but not least, here is a picture of a brooch I picked up a few weeks ago to use as a kilt pin:



The pin is called "Sword of the Spirit." It has several meanings for me. Ephesians 6 has always been a personal favorite. My motto on my armorial bearings is Induite vos arma Dei ("put on the whole armor of God"), and my weekly radio program is entitled "Sword of the Spirit." Therefore...I had to have it!

I still have a way to go (my kit is quite limited at this point), but to finally be able to wear what I have (for three days in a row, to boot) was great. And comfy!

I am one happy camper. The rabble may now commence with the picking of nits!

[Father Bill]

No nits there, Bill! Well done, and well turned-out!

Bill+

[Tobus]

Very nicely done! Can't find any nits to pick here, either. You look like a very well dressed gentleman who knows what he's about!

[creagdhubh]

Very smart indeed! I especially love your choice of claret hose with the green of the tartan in your kilt...nicely done mate!

Cheers,

[azwildcat96]

Very dapper indeed! I, for one, very much like the matching burgundy hose, tie, and pocket square. And, that brooch is magnificent.

If you're looking for nits, have you considered hose flashes/ties, and a sgian dubh? Neither is neccesary, and you look complete without them, but they might make for a nice addition to an already great outfit.

[McMathTX]

Very dapper indeed, and I really like to brooch and its meaning to you! Where did you get it?

Dean

[xman]

You look grand, sir!

[FatherWilliam57]

Very dapper indeed! I, for one, very much like the matching burgundy hose, tie, and pocket square. And, that brooch is magnificent.

If you're looking for nits, have you considered hose flashes/ties, and a sgian dubh? Neither is neccesary, and you look complete without them, but they might make for a nice addition to an already great outfit.

Thank you! I did win two pairs of garter ties (yellow and red) on eBay a couple weeks ago. Both brand new, $8 per set (which I thought was good). They are actually Pennine Garters for hunting hose. I assume they are the same for kilt hose. I was going to wear the yellow (to bring out the stripe in the tartan), but they didn't really "cooperate." Kinda stiff and I wasn't happy with the way they were tying. Please note: This is not a slam on the garters themselves. They appear to be excellent quality. This is simply a matter of my inexperience with them. Perhaps someone could let me know if several washings might "soften them up" a bit.

As for a sgian dubh, that is on my wish list. I really didn't want to purchase a "cheap, plastic, place-holder." When I get one, I want a quality piece. And now that you mention it, one of my parishioners asked me on Christmas Day why I wasn't wearing one, if it was because I am clergy. I told him when the congregation authorized a raise for me, I'd buy one. (Sometimes I'm just evil that way!) But it is on my list of "things to do." Again, thanks for the comments.

[FatherWilliam57]

Very dapper indeed, and I really like to brooch and its meaning to you! Where did you get it?

Dean

I always loved that word "dapper." Reminds me of John Stead on the Avengers! (Stead always was one of my fashion idols. And here I am, confined to basic black! Well, no one ever said life was fair...)

I stumbled across the pin during a Google search. It is available at scripturewear (dot) com
As their website states "hand-crafted by stay-at-home Moms in Raleigh, NC."

[Guinness>water]

You look very nice and I'm glad you had a good time wearing the kilt. The more you wear it the better it (everything) gets.