Need Motivation

[Graham]

In the beginning...(sounds like a reading from Genesis) I would go to every celtic event I could find, to justify my wearing a kilt.

Now of course, I need no such justification, but it did help to build my confidence.

[Mike n NC]

First time out? I was the only kilted guy in a crowd of several thousand, bout as redneck as you can get, blackpowder shoot'en Civil War Skirmishers in the afternoon after the national match. Had a great time!

Mike

[Archangel]

Honestly, I can't remember the first time. I've had some annoying experiences common to what you've read here. Nothing worse than I've had in plainclothes. However, I've never had cute young women come up to me and tell my I look good, with or without my wife standing beside me, when I'm plainclothed; never got a knowing nod from a veteran in my Armani; never been able to upstage my daughter in anything. Wearing the kilt can do all that, and more.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Honestly, I can't remember the first time. I've had some annoying experiences common to what you've read here. Nothing worse than I've had in plainclothes. However, I've never had cute young women come up to me and tell my I look good, with or without my wife standing beside me, when I'm plainclothed; never got a knowing nod from a veteran in my Armani; never been able to upstage my daughter in anything. Wearing the kilt can do all that, and more.

Archangel, I think that besides our freethinking attitudes about clothes, some of your reasons underlye our own reason to wear a kilt.

RJI

[GMan]

One thing that I have noticed that when you wear a kilt and show confidence in that kilt wearing, people will make it a rather non-eventful event.

Really most people find that you are a unique person and may give you a bunch of freebies, such as a free lunch, a beer, and they just want to be seen with that cool looking guy in a kilt.

[Eujeankilt]

I would agree with everything that's been said here and add that you will definitely garner the attention of the lasses. I've never been a "ladies man" but I am still suprised at all the sly looks and stares. I tend to walk taller now that I am kilted. Not only is the kilt more healthy physically, it may be more healthy psychologically! (memo to self - another rationalization for more kilts.) 8)

More kilts, more kilts............


Dale

[Kirkwood]

My first time out was a walk to our local Kwik-e-mart. Sure I was nervous. There were some teenage kids hanging out in the parking lot and one said "It takes a real man to wear a skirt!" Great. Not the first thing you want to hear on your 1st time out. Inside the store the cashier asked me where I'm from. So I answered them honestly. "Philadelphia." I did tell them that yes, I do have Scottish ancestry and that seemed to satisfy their curiosity.

My first time among friends was fine. There was some ribbing but nothing I couldn't handle. With my friends you need to develop a thick skin anyway.

I agree with what the other guys say that the greatest obstacle is in our own head. Get out there, stand up straight, look people right in the eye and you'll be fine.

[Alan H]

Goth and fashion-conscious? Bruh, you will kick ***. Wear a black t-shirt and black boots and a big belt and they will dig it. You are on the edge, wearing a kilt.. Chill.

[millar]

Sounds like he kind of people you are going to be around are pretty used to different looks so they will probably dig it. Chill, its all in your head. I am still pretty new to this experience, only getting my first kilt a couple of weeks ago and not having it off my rear outside of work since getting it. Most of the time when I am out and see people they don't even notice the kilt. I live in a little town where everyone knows everyone. I have had a couple of long conversations with people in town, who later said to me "Someone told me you were wearing the kilt when I was talking to you." Relax, and enjoy and be you.

[Iolaus]

Goth and fashion-conscious? Bruh, you will kick ***. Wear a black t-shirt and black boots and a big belt and they will dig it. You are on the edge, wearing a kilt.. Chill.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

My first "real outing" was to a small beach-side club with my wife. The place was packed with a wide assortment of ages, there for the rock band playing that night. I was "non-traditional dress" ( http://tinyurl.com/92mz3 ) in a black Mocker, and while I did get some sideways looks, I also got thumbs-up, winks, compliments, and some high-fives as people got drunker.

About the best advice I could give would be: Don't be timid, you're going to be different and people are going to be looking at you, accept that and run with it. Don't take the bait and try to answer seriously when people give you the underwear or bagpipe questions. Have several joke responses ready instead; humor disarms tension almost every time.

Your friends are likely to ask "Why?" The most accepted answer I've found, for both friends and strangers, has been "Because it's comfortable." That puts you in charge of the decision for concrete reasons and eliminates any mental games like "heritage" or "style" or "anti-fashion", etc.