Kilted Fridays Adventures

[Dusty]

Was kilted last Friday. (SWK - Standard USMC Leatherneck Tartan, blue hose and gray shirt) Went to a clothing store with the wife to find her some tops for an upcoming trip. The store was crowded with Christmas shoppers. The check out lines were long. A lady in front of us struck up a conversation about her Scottish background and mine. We were having a great talk when a gentleman(?) came up to me and said he had to ask if I was wearing anything under my kilt. I told him that I would not appreciate a kilt check. His wife told him that he rude and it was none of his business. Went to local restaurant for dinner. During the 30 minute wait I got several nice comments from several ladies that were waiting to be seated. The best one was from a lovely Lady in her 80's as she pasted me stating I looked sharp.

Now for the best part. Today I met with most of my wife's family. My daughter works for the before mentioned restaurant. She was telling the family about her job and what had happened to her last Friday. I had not heard this. Several of the other waitresses asked her had she seen the man in a kilt. She told them no and what section was he in. Little did she know that man was me. She went back and told them that man was her father. She said they were impressed and made their night.
.

[Couper]

Alas, no kilted Friday for me this week. I was fighting a sore throat and a cold - so stayed in "sweats" all day and finished reading a book I received for Christmas.

Today, however, I am wearing a new SportKilt (U.S. Army) that I received as a gift from my wife - (we gave each other matching kilts). My wife's sister is in town and we will be dining at a nice restaurant this evening (casual, because this is the beach) and then go to a lounge for a nightcap [or two], some music and maybe a bit of dancing. I will remain kilted...of course...and will try to get a photo or two...and call it "Kilted Friday a Day Late."

[hector]

I’m in kilt today. I follow the excellent advice to put on the kilt on Fridays. However, is it because of the gray weather or am I a bit down today, but right now I feel also some disappointment as well as frustration. Me, having no attachment to Scottish ancestors and living in an area where a man is supposed to wear trousers, I am THE exception (and not even part of a minority). As I live in a very small rural community this makes me very vulnerable for all possible gossip and critics. Some weeks ago I went for a walk not too far from my place. Unexpected a neighbor saw me. He rushed to his car, in panic I guess. I could see in his eyes he classified me as a mad man. Nothing to worry if not this man will now spread the ‘news’ that I’m not normal because I run around in ‘skirt’. I can imagine your advice would be that I shouldn’t care and, believe me; I do try to ignore it. The test will come next Sunday as the neighborhood comes together for a new years’ drink.
Because of the negative attitude I shall not wear my kilt when neighbors or family are around and I sincerely hope they will never know my preferences in this respect. Is this lack of courage or hypocrisy? Probably yes, but believe me, I have more to lose than to win and therefore it’s better to keep things separate. This of course does not make life easier for me. But I find compensation in the fact that within reasonable distance I can safely enjoy my kilt in walking alongside the sea or making a promenade next to a nice canal.
My ‘sad story’, I hope, is not spoiling the pleasant ‘Friday atmosphere’ on the forum. Please continue to enjoy the pleasure of wearing the kilt and I shall join you as much as I can.
Cheers,

Hector

[New World Czech]

I’m in kilt today. I follow the excellent advice to put on the kilt on Fridays. However, is it because of the gray weather or am I a bit down today, but right now I feel also some disappointment as well as frustration. Me, having no attachment to Scottish ancestors and living in an area where a man is supposed to wear trousers, I am THE exception (and not even part of a minority). As I live in a very small rural community this makes me very vulnerable for all possible gossip and critics. Some weeks ago I went for a walk not too far from my place. Unexpected a neighbor saw me. He rushed to his car, in panic I guess. I could see in his eyes he classified me as a mad man. Nothing to worry if not this man will now spread the ‘news’ that I’m not normal because I run around in ‘skirt’. I can imagine your advice would be that I shouldn’t care and, believe me; I do try to ignore it. The test will come next Sunday as the neighborhood comes together for a new years’ drink.
Because of the negative attitude I shall not wear my kilt when neighbors or family are around and I sincerely hope they will never know my preferences in this respect. Is this lack of courage or hypocrisy? Probably yes, but believe me, I have more to lose than to win and therefore it’s better to keep things separate. This of course does not make life easier for me. But I find compensation in the fact that within reasonable distance I can safely enjoy my kilt in walking alongside the sea or making a promenade next to a nice canal.
My ‘sad story’, I hope, is not spoiling the pleasant ‘Friday atmosphere’ on the forum. Please continue to enjoy the pleasure of wearing the kilt and I shall join you as much as I can.
Cheers,

Hector

I am truely sorry to hear of your experience. I hope you have a friend or family member you can discuss this with and find out if this would be a widely held attitude in your community. I also have no known connection to Scottish heritage but I do have a fellow kilt wearer here. When I wear my kilts I am the only person kilted unless my friend is there and has kilted up as well. My friends, family and coworkers have asked questions as to why and how I started and have accepted this as a new part of my life. I have only seen others kilted at Highland events. I do kilt up 2-3 time a week in public and more at home. Fridays at work has become a regular thing, I get questioned as to what is wrong if I am not kilted. I hope you encounter more positive reactions in the furture.

[Nik]

It wasn't Friday but I kilted up on New Year's when I went out to get a bit with my wife and spend some time with my brother at a restaurant we both formally worked at. Sorry no pictures we were out for only an hour or two and just conversation over dinner.

But as it seems it the standard reaction, my brother exclaimed upon seeing me, "You worn the damn kilt too." This was the worst of it really I was seated most of the time, and stood shortly to converse with a former co-worker who remarked, "Nice kilt."

I'd like to wear a kilt more often but with Michigan being freezing and I not having a proper tank, I'm not going to push it. I can wait to go running around like that til later.

Anyways good to hear that others are keeping it casucal and the usual with kilts on the weekend.

-Nik

[California Highlander]

Out for coffee on kilted Friday. They are getting used to it, so not really a second look. Well, maybe one. Lovely winter day for kilting! 45 degrees and clear.

[Mael Coluim]

I’m in kilt today. I follow the excellent advice to put on the kilt on Fridays. However, is it because of the gray weather or am I a bit down today, but right now I feel also some disappointment as well as frustration. Me, having no attachment to Scottish ancestors and living in an area where a man is supposed to wear trousers, I am THE exception (and not even part of a minority). As I live in a very small rural community this makes me very vulnerable for all possible gossip and critics. Some weeks ago I went for a walk not too far from my place. Unexpected a neighbor saw me. He rushed to his car, in panic I guess. I could see in his eyes he classified me as a mad man. Nothing to worry if not this man will now spread the ‘news’ that I’m not normal because I run around in ‘skirt’. I can imagine your advice would be that I shouldn’t care and, believe me; I do try to ignore it. The test will come next Sunday as the neighborhood comes together for a new years’ drink.
Because of the negative attitude I shall not wear my kilt when neighbors or family are around and I sincerely hope they will never know my preferences in this respect. Is this lack of courage or hypocrisy? Probably yes, but believe me, I have more to lose than to win and therefore it’s better to keep things separate. This of course does not make life easier for me. But I find compensation in the fact that within reasonable distance I can safely enjoy my kilt in walking alongside the sea or making a promenade next to a nice canal.
My ‘sad story’, I hope, is not spoiling the pleasant ‘Friday atmosphere’ on the forum. Please continue to enjoy the pleasure of wearing the kilt and I shall join you as much as I can.
Cheers,

Hector

Hector,
Thank you for sharing your situation. Kilt wearing should be enjoyable. So, if kilt wearing would put you in circumstances that are not enjoyable then yes, stay trousered.

We are glad you are here.

Kilt on!

Mael

[Mael Coluim]

A perfect cold winter Friday to wear my Royal Regiment Ex-military kilt to work. A paving contractor we just contracted with was a little taken back and asked was I going somewhere special. No, just here and there going about my day. He replied, I looked great and appreciated my fortitude in wearing it.

A new resident asked why I was kilted. It’s Friday, I replied. Seeing the blank look, I told her it was my spin on casual Friday. She smiled.

At the end of the day, I was talking to one of our couples and the husband said, that must be cold, today? I refrained from my usual, “no, I have a heater under there.” I thought his wife would have been embarrassed if I did. So, I told them with the wool weight of this military kilt and my wool socks, I was quite comfortable. We had a nice chat about Scotland and Canada.

[seanachie]

I’m in kilt today. I follow the excellent advice to put on the kilt on Fridays. However, is it because of the gray weather or am I a bit down today, but right now I feel also some disappointment as well as frustration. Me, having no attachment to Scottish ancestors and living in an area where a man is supposed to wear trousers, I am THE exception (and not even part of a minority). As I live in a very small rural community this makes me very vulnerable for all possible gossip and critics. Some weeks ago I went for a walk not too far from my place. Unexpected a neighbor saw me. He rushed to his car, in panic I guess. I could see in his eyes he classified me as a mad man. Nothing to worry if not this man will now spread the ‘news’ that I’m not normal because I run around in ‘skirt’. I can imagine your advice would be that I shouldn’t care and, believe me; I do try to ignore it. The test will come next Sunday as the neighborhood comes together for a new years’ drink.
Because of the negative attitude I shall not wear my kilt when neighbors or family are around and I sincerely hope they will never know my preferences in this respect. Is this lack of courage or hypocrisy? Probably yes, but believe me, I have more to lose than to win and therefore it’s better to keep things separate. This of course does not make life easier for me. But I find compensation in the fact that within reasonable distance I can safely enjoy my kilt in walking alongside the sea or making a promenade next to a nice canal.
My ‘sad story’, I hope, is not spoiling the pleasant ‘Friday atmosphere’ on the forum. Please continue to enjoy the pleasure of wearing the kilt and I shall join you as much as I can.
Cheers,

Hector

Hector: I am not sure what you mean you mean by more to lose than to win. But I will offer this. I wear my kilt because I enjoy wearing it. I am not a lemming, if it is not "fashionable" or in style I could care less. In my early days of kilting I tended to be self conscious of people's reactions. Now I care not. I work in a call center and I have extended the tradition of "Kilted Fridays" since I joined 2 months ago. I have very supportive co-workers, who encouraged me to wear the kilt on Fridays when I explained the tradition. There are probably a few people who are not and I don't care. I guess why I responded after reading your note was I filled up with gas after working the 3rd shift last night. I was tired and looking for some shut eye. A guy at another pump smirked at me when he saw me in a kilt. I just let it roll like water. Don't be cowed by other people, if you enjoy the kilt wear it and if they don't like let them deal with their issues.

[Grouse Claw]

Hector, I understand the pressure. I am a Scot, and live in New Zealand where many Scots came to live over the past 150 years, and still there is pressure. This is one reason I made myself a flier, which I give to anyone I see who is having a less then happy reaction. You can see it here: http://www.fairservicenz.com/pdfs/Kilt%20flier.pdf

The flier is written specifically for my situation, but why not take the idea and make it your own? I have five or six of these A5 fliers, folded once and kept inside a folded piece of cardboard in my sporran. When I see someone raise their eyebrows I go up to them with a smile and present my piece of propaganda, saying, "This explains why I am wearing a kilt."

I am fairly new to wearing the kilt, since my boyhood in Scotland, and I have to be sure why I am doing it, so that I am confident, and not apologetic, which surely shows in one's bearing. But I take someone else's point that if it is no longer fun, save the kilt for the occasion when it will be fun.

I make an occasion of it when I go to church, on Sunday. Kilted Sunday.

All that said, I do hope you can have a breakthrough. My best wishes to you, Hector.