Quote Originally Posted by Rigged
I think its a culture thing. In America, we have no cultural context for men wearing unbifurcated garments except as a costume or as a joke.
"...no cultural context" is an excellent way to put it. Unless it is Halloween, one lives in a strange realm of 'anything goes' such as New York City or San Franciso, or we are talking religious or ceremonial dress, a kilt is going to attract attention here in the States.

Ham, based on your piccies (as Graham likes calling them), posts, as well as personal correspondence, you seem a very personable sort. I cannot imagine you appearing as unapproachable (are you stinky? Just kidding!), and I don't think that age has much to do with it. It must have everything to do with that cultural difference Rob has brought up involving reserve. I have heard it stated many times how our stateside inquisitiveness can come off as prying, boorish behaviour to those abroad.

I have written before that wearing a kilt is far from a non event for me. I get comments hurled from car windows while I walk (good and bad), from folks at the grocery store, people whom I can detect with my peripheral vision pointing at me as I pass, you name it. It really is difficult for me to forget how I am dressed.

On Saturday I was dressed for a "Biker Wedding" in my Graphite PK, leather vest, Harley Davidson T-shirt, semi-dress sporran, hiking boots, etc. At a drug store on the way I was engaged in a very lengthy conversation by a person stocking shelves who started with,"Is that a REAL kilt?", and ended with "More men need to wear kilts in Pittsburgh." At the wedding itself I received such a good welcome that my pic was snapped, folks were gushing about how great I looked, and I had to be rescued by my wife from one of those "ladies" who decide it is their personal business to check you for undergarments.

My mother-in-law, who was also in attendance, was worried that our side of the family had been invited as fodder for ridicule (a very silly theory from which I could not dissuade her). The attention that I received at the wedding was so positive that it was a very affirming situation for her where the wearing of kilts is concerned. [It bugs me that her acceptance for me has to be based on that of others, but that is fodder for a different thread.] Folks in these parts do certainly notice, and some seem very comfortable with telling me what they think about men in kilts/skirts.

While at the wedding, my brother-in-law who had just come from marching in a political parade, was telling me how the experience had been such a roller-coaster ride for him. The crowd in attendance would go hot and cold from one step to another with one cheering and the next jeering the sentiment expressed on his sign, people feeling free to state their minds point blank. In a way I know how he must have felt because that represents my experience with the kilt: a melange of positive and negative experience that always results in my again putting on a kilt the net morning.

So, lot's of attention here, both good and bad. Mostly it consists of insults or whispering in my wake, stuff shouted from passing cars. Not so much face-to-face, but when it is up close it tends to be very positive- unless the other person has been drinking, then anything goes.

While I have been composing this reply to your post, Ham, I see that you have already offered your response. I'll post this anyway. In closing, you need to visit the States more often! Also, it is perfectly fine to want a bit of attention when you go out.

Mychael