First Kilt

[MacMullen]

Congrats on your first kilt and I'm glad to hear you had a positive first public wearing.

[bubba]

Probably should rename this place kiltaholics anonymous, makes for a great support group and does absolutely nothing to cure the addiction.

Oswulf

More like kiltaholics unanimous

[Bob C]

I was kinda wondering what the local rednecks would have to say when they saw me. I run a pawnshop/gun store in a very small Idaho town so I was prepared for a ribbing at least.

Who's going to make fun of the guy who owns the gun shop?

[cavscout]

That Black Stewart is one I've got my eye on right now. Congrats!

I would suggest that the sporran be worn a bit higher and bring the flashes around to the front of the calf muscle.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Great look for you. I know waht you mean about their heavyweights, 'though: I've got a Black Watch standard that I love for wearing around the house and light chores-but it just doesn't have the heft to stand up to the winds we've been seeing lately here on the Front Range. Heavier wool oughta solve that issue.

Bryan...I wear my tank(s) year 'round in comfort and modesty...

Bryan, I have to agree, and even the heavyweights are not all that heavy (referring to the 2005 solid black tartan blend kilts). I have the HW black and the standard in nightstalker. The HW is heavier than the standard, but that is not saying a lot. The standard (now that I have other kilts to compare to), is like wearing a.. a... a... (oh say it)... a light SKIRT! There is literally nothing to it compared to my USAK semi-trad, UK's, or 13+oz blend from eBay. Looking forward to a new HW in merino wool.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Unanimous is definitely the word! And I have to agree that most people will not argue with the the owner of the gun shop! However, an incident with a co-worker today leaves me with the opinion that those we work with and interact with on a daily and regular basis are as "hyped up" (best description I can think of) about asking us questions about the kilt and the wearing thereof, as we are "anxious" or "hyped up" about wearing the kilt in front of friends or to work for the first (or second or third) time! The lady in particular was relating to me her experience today with some co-workers visiting her from another local site who had seen me at the company Holiday party (kilted) a few weeks ago. Apparently, the gentleman's wife had been taken with the kilt, but they were afraid to approach me at the party (can you imagine? my persona here is much like my own in real life, and I would welcome questions, I ended up that party dancing with a nice lady that I did not know, we never introduced ourselves, and I have not seen since!). Anyway, this gentleman, and his colleague, were asking my co-worker many questions about the kilt, and even asked her to escort them out so she could provide more details!

Hmmh, so where was I going?... Oh yes, my co-worker shared this with me later in the day. I mentioned that she should let them know that I was very open to questions (look, I'm wearing the kilt, if I was not open to questions I would never have put one on!) and to let them know. That is when she let it be known that she (and my other co-workers) did not know how to react to the kilt orginally (remember we were originally going to talk about the reaction of people we know?). It was not until she saw me answering questions about the kilt for somebody who was a complete stranger that she felt comfortable asking questions herself.

So my moral lesson for the day is that putting on a kilt is not tough. Go into your closet, strap (or velcro) it on and go about your business. the tough part comes in in having ther people in the house while you are wearing it, especially family, spouse, friends. Going out in public just expands that. And if we are honest, the home/work/family "coming out" is much tohger than the general public. Who cares what somebody walking down the street thinks of what I am wearing.

And Oswulf, I have to disagree with others about the sporran height. It looks about right to me. Somebody mentioned that the top the sporran should be about a hands span below bottom of the belt. Unless you have the hands of Tom Thumb, your sporran looks about right. It also looks like it is in the right place to protect the "boys" and insure that the kilt "falls correctly" when sitting.

The flashes on the other hand are too far around the calf.

[mddock58]

KCW - I agree, at Christmas my In-Laws saw me for the first time in a kilt. I wore it driving down to Williamsburg, Va (7hrs) and also throughout the week we were there. My mother-in-law asked my wife some questions, but never said anything to me (that's the way she is).

So it went better than I might have anticipated.

In June I will go out to NoCal for a wedding, and then MY parents and family will see me kilted.

Like Nike's old motto - Just Do It! That's what it takes....They will get used to it!

[Bob C]

Ditto on the flashes. The front edge of the flashes should be at about the middle of your shin. I know that seems too far forward, but trust me - you'll see that it looks right after you've done it.

Congrats on joining the kilted. I can tell from the photo how much you enjoy it.

[Oswulf]

Thanks for all the input. I noticed the flashes looked a bit far back when I looked at the pictures, the sporran felt about right when sitting but felt a bit low when walking (smackin' the fellas). That and this particular sporran is a bit noisier when walking than I like, the tassles beat on it like a drum. Got my eye on another sporran, and would really like the freelander if the price was lower.

The old lady loves the kilt, but thinks it's a little wierd the fun I got from the swoosh factor. I'll probably try a little more public exposure this weekend, take the family out to dinner.

Oswulf

[davedove]

That and this particular sporran is a bit noisier when walking than I like, the tassles beat on it like a drum.

Just use the beat to set your stride. Besides, it let's everyone know a man in a kilt is coming.:grin:

I'll probably try a little more public exposure this weekend, take the family out to dinner.

Now listen! There will be no public exposure here, especially with your family around!;-)