Making headway w/ the hubby & his kilt YEAH!!! Baby steps...

**jfone** · 24th March 17, 02:07 PM

Well, after my initial introduction & the great responses for places to look for kilts in our clan tartans & just general feedback about getting my hubby to embrace his heritage..... He is! He keeps saying "baby steps".

He's been wearing an older Union Kilt (tan, corded w/ cargo pockets) that I'd bought 5-6 yrs ago. Granted, it is now about 2" too snug, but I've got a new khaki one on its way w/ his very own kilt pin (he had to borrow my grouse claw w/ Cairngorm pin).

He's worn it at home after work all week, taking the garbage out front & checking the mail & such (i.e. risking the neighbors seeing him in a kilt

). He even went out to dinner w/ it 1 night. I had suggested we go look for new boots (hiking/work style) for him that would go w/ it after dinner & he just smiled & said "baby steps". Right now he's wearing his steel toes, but I know he hates wearing those when he's not at work.

He is even wearing it Scottish style (au natural) & he would kill me for divulging that. He has said that it is comfortable & used the words "freeing". He seems to be a bit more comfortable every day. He also knows that this woman loves a real man, who is not afraid to wear a kilt. W/out giving TMI all I'll say is I like kilted men very much & he is now aware of added benefits besides comfort.

Thanks for all the feedback & those who messaged me w/ their words of encouragement & ideas on where to find tartan kilts. Oddly, I think he is more comfortable wearing a plain colored one than an associated clan one.

Any thoughts on that from any of you out there? Aside from being at a Highland Games or ethnic event, do you prefer tartan or sport/utility type kilts?

**McMurdo** · 24th March 17, 03:14 PM

Personally I prefer traditional tartan kilts to plain coloured utility style kilts. I have 2 utlility style kilts, a Utilikilt and a Union kilt. I have not worn either in years they simply sit at the back of the closet.

**Tobus** · 24th March 17, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by jfone

Any thoughts on that from any of you out there? Aside from being at a Highland Games or ethnic event, do you prefer tartan or sport/utility type kilts?

I prefer my traditional kilts, but I do wear a Utilikilt for activities where a traditional kilt would get damaged or dirty, like hiking or working outside. There's room for both, just like choosing between jeans and khakis.

**JohntheBiker** · 26th March 17, 05:53 AM

I have a couple of RKilts that I wear from time to time, but tartan kilts are definitely the goto and first choice. One decent tartan kilt is all you need and it will take you anywhere, particularly to events like highland games. Lots of tartan choices, including many not related to a specific clan. Get him to keep making "baby steps" and if you convince him to get a tartan kilt, come here first and you will get plenty of advice on making an informed choice.

**jfone** · 26th March 17, 07:21 AM

John,
Thanks for the reply. I've gotten some great tartan kilt suppliers from the forum (many that I hadn't found myself). I know he's a little unsure still, but he is doing pretty good IMO. He went to Walmart (not the one near our house

) w/ me to find some hiking/work boots to wear w/ the kilt, WHILE WEARING THE KILT - that was much bigger than a baby step for him. He also went to the local sub shop to pick up our take-out, this was pretty big because we're kind of regulars in there & a lot of the firefighters & paramedics he volunteers w/ hang out there.

I think the fact that he outgrew this one while it was hanging in the closet, which makes it a little more prone to accidentally flashing someone w/ the front flap, does make him a little more unsure about the whole thing, but I got one w/ the extra 2" (OK, so I went 3") & it will hang more appropriately & be less likely to show what shouldn't be shown. I also found him a nice "manly" stag & sword kilt pin of his own. For now, if he's wants, he'll borrow one of my sgian dubh's since he can wear one legally. Being an EMT/FF Volunteer, he ALWAYS carries a knife for cutting seat belts, clothes or anything else that he might need to do as a First Responder. I like buying blanks & making my own handles for the sgian's, so maybe I can find a drop point/half serrated & make a nice handle for him w/ the glass breaker on the end & give him a sgian that meets his EDC needs in or out of the kilt.

As for the tartan kilts, we have so many associated clans between us, that finding a cheap tartan kilt won't be a problem when he's ready to make that decision. MacDonald seems to be available from virtually everyone, in stock even. The Pride of Scotland or Scottish National too. He's also McAllistair & I'm McLachlan, McLean & Russell. I've been surprised at not finding as many of the McLachlan choices available on so many sites. I think it must be the fact that I need really, really cheap.

Thanks for the encouragement, I've been reading him some of the replies & he is growing more receptive w/ each one I read him.

~Jen

Originally Posted by JohntheBiker

One decent tartan kilt is all you need and it will take you anywhere, particularly to events like highland games. Lots of tartan choices, including many not related to a specific clan. Get him to keep making "baby steps" and if you convince him to get a tartan kilt, come here first and you will get plenty of advice on making an informed choice.

**Taskr** · 26th March 17, 07:41 AM

Au natural is not necessarily Scottish style. Myriad opinions and facts to that conversation, and to each their own.
I like my tartan mostly, but made an XKilt and also have a PV kilt for knocking about and evening BBQs on the deck. Not activities I'd be willing to put my 16oz wool through.
McMurdo ..what sizes are those back of the closet utilities?!

**Moe** · 26th March 17, 05:18 PM

As far as boots go, I like my made in England doc martins.

**McMurdo** · 26th March 17, 05:37 PM

One thing to think about re the sizing issue, if you go for a traditional kilt he won't have to worry about it too much as there is quite a bit of adjustment with kilt straps.

**Walkman** · 27th March 17, 01:35 AM

Welcome to X Marks! Traditional kilts only for me.

**jfone** · 27th March 17, 01:41 PM

Got pretty fortunate to find a pair of basic brown leather Brahma boots @ Walmart for $19.99. He's worn many versions of Brahma steel toes for work & this is just a decent pair w/out the steel toes. We also both put a lot of miles on some Brahmas many years ago when we volunteered w/ a Search & Rescue group. So, for these, we know they'll last him a decent time & be pretty comfortable for him. And of course, we couldn't beat the price.

Now, if I could find a pair of Doc Martens that fit him for the same price, no doubt, they would have been considered.

Originally Posted by Moe

As far as boots go, I like my made in England doc martins.