The Final Push!

[Mr. Woolery]

Pick a particular activity where the kilt will be appropriate. I go Country Dancing with my wife twice a month and wear a kilt. The first time you go, just wear the kilt (and appropriate other garments) and have a good time. The second time, make sure you have to swing by the store afterward. If anyone asks about it, you can say you are on your way home from whatever activity. After that, it is fairly easy.

The only comment I ever got was a woman who noticed that my wife and I were both dressed nicely (me in kilt) and said "looks like you guys are going to have fun tonight!"

Oh, and spend some time looking in the mirror and rehearsing your snappy comebacks. Be prepared for the skirt question, the why are you wearing a kilt question, and THE QUESTION. I prefer the following answers:

It is a kilt, actually. Know why it's called a kilt? Because so many people who called a skirt got 'kilt.'

I wear it because of the "goldfish theory." Never heard of it? Well, you know how goldfish grow to fit their containers? Well, think of trousers as a small fishbowl...

Socks.

You might never get to use those comebacks, but having them practiced and being prepared for the likely comments will make it a whole lot less daunting when you go out in a kilt. It is a bit of psychology and it works for me. Good luck!

-Patrick

[The Wizard of BC]

Here are some hints and ideas I tell my customers.

1) Create a "special occasion". Set out an outfit, spend some time looking at it, perhaps a nice sweater with the kilt. Then plan an evening. Go to a movie, go to dinner, make this outing special. If you are used to wearing the kilt to special occasions then planning a special casual occasion will not be that different.

2) If you are have some friends who you go out with tell them you are going to wear your kilt and you all go together. There is comfort in numbers. Use this outing with friends as a buffer.

3) If you have a significant other that likes your kilt tell them you would like to go with them somewhere. An SO who likes your kilt can be a big boost to your confidence. And they can tell you about all the good comments that you get when you weren't looking.

4) Find someplace to go where you need to concentrate on what your doing and not on the kilt. I go to the library because in a room with books I can think of nothing else. It completely takes my mind off the idea that I am in my kilt.

5) Find an event like you have heard other X Markers talk about being kilt friendly. It's a little late for Highland Games but Scottish Country Dance, A Celtic themed club, or concert are always a good place to be with others in kilts and not have to worry about being the only one.

6) If you are within even a couple hours drive to a kilt night sponsored by a member, go.

No matter what you do, no matter where you go you will be noticed. That is one of the reasons we wear the kilt. Accept that and have fun with it. Remember, this should be fun.
And I know it's a daunting thought but trust in the comments of all the other members here when we say "you will get those good comments" and after even the first one all the uncertainty will go away. After the tenth or hundredth admiring look and comment you will find it really is fun.

[Ozman1944]

I wore mine for the first time. to the local Supermarket, with a T-shirt that said;
"It's a Kilt! If I were wearing anything underneayh it, THEN it would be a skirt!" No one said a thing, but an elderly ladt came up and complimented my on the Tartan (Blackwatch)

That weekend I wore it to the Bar with T-shirt; "Built for a Kilt". Again, positive comments.

After that, I confidently dumped the T-shirts. and went to a Garden Party in Kilt, Fly Plaid etc. was told how elegant & handsome I looked.


Have never been nervous about it since.

[Chef]

This is not an experience I remember but it sounds exactly like what my son went through when he first got a kilt. He was very excited to get it, but then once he did he was hesitant to wear it. So my advice to you will be pretty much what I did with him. Now my problem is keeping him out of his kilt

Start at a kilt friendly event if possible. Highland games, Burns Supper, a Rabble Kilt Night etc. That is the best place to gain confidence. Once you feel comfortable in that setting then as suggested above go out with a group of friends who know you will be kilted. Once you are comfortable with that you should be fine.

One thing you didn't mention is what kind of kit you have. In other words what type of kilt and whether you have accessories, a jacket etc. The reason I bring this up is I think facing the non kilt wearing public is a tough thing to do for first timers. However I think you are more likely to have a positive experience if you come close to matching their idea of what someone in a kilt should look like.

Yes I know there are members who say, "to h*ll with what anyone else thinks". Fine but most of us do care if only a little. The public has a much narrower view of what a kilt is that most people here so being dressed well is more likley to get you good reviews. Looking well is also a confidence booster and your confidence will show. That will also improve how people react to you.

Now dressing well does not mean wearing a PC to a pub crawl (unless the crawl is after a black tie) but smart casual is a good aim. You will feel good and look good. If you want good examples of smart casual with a kilt I will point you in the direction of pictures posted by Panache and Hamish. If you take notes from their choices I think you will feel great and look great as well and it is likely you will be very well received.

If your goal is ultimately wear your kilt very casually you can always get more casual as you get more comfortable.

[kiltedsawyer]

DTP....Great thread, know that you are not alone in this for I am at the same precipice. Thank you for the thread and thanks to all those who responded with such encouraging words! Thank you!
David

[Jennifer D]

I agree with the folks above that going out with someone helps. When/if you get nervous you can focus on them. My husband's first day in the kilt we went to dinner and then stopped for gas. He was so excited to be out in his kilt that we went in to pay. The cashier's jaw dropped to the ground but he didn't make any comments. In fact, that may be the worst reaction hubby's gotten.

[CactusJack]

Sounds like everyone has already given you very good advice I know that after I got my first kilt I coulnd'nt wait to wear it out, so all I can say is wear it with pride and enjoy the freedom

[Captain Karrot]

This mirrors my experiences. I started at a Celtic festival, so it basically fit in. Next I wore it at a Brews Festival, and was a big hit...may people took pictures with me, and there were many kilt-checks that happened ;). After that, it pretty much never bothered me. I have worn a kilt to parties, to church, and have even flown in a kilt. First time was Chicago to Dallas. Second was Boston to Toronto. Again, most people ignore it because they don't know what to say or do. Many positive comments, a couple negatives. But if we really cared about what other people thought we wouldn't be kilted in the first place.

Kilt on!!

For the most part nobody will say a thing. They are too wrapped up in their own lives to notice anyone else.

Of those who do notice, most won't say anything because they don't know how to approach you.

Of those who do say something, most will be complimentary or curious.

There may be a few jerks, but not that many.

Just pick a spot, strap on your kilt, and head out.

[Makeitstop]

My advice is to gradually phase it in. Pick a normal location or activity and wear the kilt. when you have gotten a little more comfortable being kilted there, pick another.

The first place I wore my kilt that didn't involve friends or family was for a quick run to the grocery store. No one seemed to notice. It helps to just do mundane everyday things in your kilt. It reinforces the idea that it is just another piece of clothing. And it doesn't take long before you stop thinking about the kilt and start focusing on the task at hand.

If you are feeling incredibly self conscious, start small. Go out for ten minutes and run an errand. You don't have to go full time kilted all at once. As long as you keep pushing forward, it will get easier.

If you are having trouble making yourself do it, then just pick days to wear the kilt, throw it on in the morning (or after work if necessary) and just go with it. Whatever you're gonna do that day, do it kilted or not at all. Don't give yourself the option to wuss out.

[The Supreme Canuck]

Let me put it this way. The first time I wore a kilt out, I passed two women (mother and daughter - middle-aged and about twenty) on the sidewalk. From the first I got: "That is a very nice kilt." From the second I got: "Dblubbleupth!"