My first kilt!

[isantop]

I'm currently looking at a variety of kilts to buy. I am very excited as this will be my very first kilt.

I am however, first seeking answers to a few questions.

As an american teen, many of us are somewhat skeptical of trying dramatic new things and making sudden, drastic lifestyle changes. This also applies to me; however, thus far I have not been discouraged. I guess my main question is this: Is there anyone else out there that's worn a kilt since they were a teen? How did their friends react. Did you announce it openly before hand? etc, etc...

Also, I'm of a bit awkward decent for wearing a kilt. I am part Swedish, part Italian, and a small bit German, however, I have no Anglo in me at all. Is it even socially acceptable for me to wear a kilt? Should I pick a particular tartan over another, or even a solid color?

That aside, I'm currently looking at a Stillwater Standard Kilt for my first one. It seems to be a good value. Does anyone else have one of these kilts?

I do want to have a kilt that fastens with buckles instead of velcro. I'm not particularly large and I feel a velcro fastener would be too loose.

I do intend to wear my kilt as a general purpose garment, i.e. from school to informal family gatherings. Would a Stillwater standard kilt suit my needs well? If not, what are some other options?

I don't want a Utilikilt. I feel that they're too expensive.

On that note, I should mention I'm on a budget, and will probably buy the least expensive kilt that meets my criteria.

Should I buy a sporran? I do need to keep my wallet handy and I don't want to fumble around in my backpack, but it is more money to spend.

AH! I have so many questions. I am grateful to anyone who helps me answer any of these questions. Thanks!

[Bugbear]

Welcome.

I didn't fit in with any crowd when I was a teen, and I didn't dress as others did. I'm sure if I had been able to get a kilt, I would have worn it from time to time, and I would have been just as much an outsider to my peers.

I do have a standard Stillwater kilt. It is a very light weight kilt. However, I would guess that you will need to upsize kilts at your age, so maybe it's a good option and at least a lower cost way to try it out.

I suggest that you buy a sporran, perhaps the Stillwater Economey Sporran, even if you choose to not wear it often. Also, you will need to buy a pair of kilt hose or socks and probably a few other accessories.

Also, know which tartan your kilt is and if it has a connection to a clan etc, and I think you'll do fine to wear the kilt.

Good luck.

[CDNSushi]

Yokoso (welcome) to the rabble from Japan!

I'm nowhere near a teen anymore, but I commend your desire to be your own man and to express yourself in such a positive way! That's awesome -- I wish I would have done that a little more myself when I was a teen.

No matter my age, I only got my first kilt this Spring. It was a Utilikilt... That got me interested in traditional kilts too. Now, I'm the proud owner and wearer of numerous others. Like you, I don't have a lick of Scottish blood in me, but that doesn't stop me from wearing kilts -- and you'll find that's a trend around here on the forum. The same way you don't need to be a baseball player to wear a baseball cap or a cowboy to wear blue jeans, you certainly don't need to be Scottish to wear a kilt!

To answer your question, the SWK Standard would make a great first kilt. That was my first traditional kilt too and I do not regret buying it. I would however recommend getting the sporran, even if it's an inexpensive one. Kilts don't have pockets, so you need something to carry your keys, cellphone and money (if nothing else). In addition, I tend to feel it sets you apart as wearing a KILT rather than a skirt and it makes it look a bit more masculine... It's not mandatory, however.

Again, I'm not a teen -- and mileage may vary in how family and friends will react to you, but since none of my friends or family have never imagined me in a kilt, it was new to them too. Honestly, I think personality speaks volumes - maybe even much more than age. I think my personality is such that no matter what I do nowadays, no one seems to be surprised. I didn't make any big announcements or anything. I just started wearing a kilt one day. At first people were a bit taken aback, but that subsides very quickly.

[isantop]

Thanks for your reply!

1) Most of my friends are of Anglo decent, and last year a friend of mine (well respected among our crowd, I might add!) wore his kilt. The year before that, another one wore a (probably the same! ) kilt a few days, even to an orchestra concert. After posting, I remembered this and figured it probably would too much of a probalem anyway. (Definatly not as big as my recent venture into learning to speak with a New Zealand Accent!)

2) That is reassuring. I think I may have finally found my kilt!

3) I was planning on buying a sporran, but I figured I should check to be sure. I've also looked at hose, since the kilt comes with free matching flashes. But would the hose look funny in everyday shoes? Also; what about a kilt pin?

4) The tartan I was looking at was the Black Watch, since it features my high school's colors (more friends that way! ), and have heard that it is a "universal" tartan. The SWK Standard is available in Black Watch too.

Thanks for your reply! I can now confidently look forward to many great years in a kilt!

[Oddern]

Hi Isantop,
I to is quite new to the kilted life. I’m not kilted all the time but do it as often as I can. I am way past the teen years so I can't help you on the teenage part of society. My experience in general is that people react very positive, everyone wants to talk to you and ask questions.
Stillwater Kilts is a good choice for a low budget and it goes to any occasion. You don’t need to be of any particular heritage for picking “the right kilt”. Just select the kilt and tartan you like.
You should absolutely get a sporran to your kilt. It’s an important part of the kilt. You should also consider two or three hoses for different occasions.

[Ivy]

Well, it sounds like you're already pretty self assured. If you wear it with confidence you can't go wrong. You may encounter resistance from family or peers who don't get it, but stand tall and everything will be cool. Besides, your teenage years will be over before you realize it and after that who cares?

The SWK Standard is a great kilt for the money. It is by no means a replacement for a handmade heavyweight wool kilt, but it is well made and comfortable. A great introductory kilt. As for the tartan, wear what you like but know what you are wearing and a little bit about it. If you are truly concerned with offending anyone by wearing the wrong tartan, the SWK Standard comes in several "universal tartans" (i.e. Blackwatch, Irish National, Saffron, Nightstalker). Oh, and a sporran is really handy. Just make sure you match your leather colors...

[TheBlueCow]

Denver, huh? It may be a bit chilly to start wearing a SWK standard (as previously noted it's a lightweight kilt). I don't know how soon you're planning to get your kilt, but you'd probably want to wait 'til spring time to start wearing it outside, but by all means, start wearing it inside around the house, it'll help you get used to wearing it.

As others have said, you probably want a sporran and some kilt hose. I have a SWK standard - but no sporran -and as a result I haven't worn it out yet. You'll inevitably find a time when you'll be wearing your kilt w/o your backpack and that you'll need your wallet, keys, cell phone, etc. I'm thinking you're planning to wear it with casual boots? The kilt hose come in handy for the chillier weather, and help to "dress up" the kilt for semi-formal (if combined with dress shoes and a dress shirt). Eventually you might want a nice 2" kilt belt that will help complete the look.

You might want to start reading up on witty responses to questions/comments you may receive, it can come in handy.

Happy kilting!

[Cynthia]

I am part Swedish, part Italian, and a small bit German

That actually sounds like my husband He's part Swedish, part Danish (last name is very Danish), his Mom's side is Italian (we think there might be a bit of Welsh in there if someone else's research was correct), there is apparently a bit of German in there, and on his father's side is *rumored* to have Scottish (married into his Danish line, but we haven't been able to find out for sure).

It hasn't stopped him from wearing the kilt, but he has admitted that he wants tartans that he could still relate to a bit more. There are a LOT of tartans out there (like the American Heritage, or a State tartan... and others like the German Heritage).

Anyway, don't let it stop you from wearing the kilt is what I'm saying. You don't have to be Scottish. Just figure out what works for you over time

I would definitely wear a sporran. My husband has the Stillwater Standard and quite likes it. He definitely wants better kilts down the line, but it works for his needs at the moment.

[Phogfan86]

Also, I'm of a bit awkward decent for wearing a kilt. I am part Swedish, part Italian, and a small bit German, however, I have no Anglo in me at all. Is it even socially acceptable for me to wear a kilt? Should I pick a particular tartan over another, or even a solid color?

Anglo, schmanglo. Anyone can wear a kilt. Come on in – the water’s fine.

A wise man on this board – Riverkilt, maybe? – said the only rule regarding kilts is, there are no rules. And I’ve been told by multiple folks that you can pretty much wear any tartan you want as long as you wear it proudly and respectfully. My only caution on a solid color is, people will call it a skirt. At least if you have some sort of tartan, some of them will realize it’s a kilt.

Black Watch is always a good starter tartan, and it looks cool with a black t-shirt.


That aside, I'm currently looking at a Stillwater Standard Kilt for my first one. It seems to be a good value. Does anyone else have one of these kilts?
This is a lot like asking if the sky is blue or are kitties cute? As a group, XMTS are huge fans of Stillwater Kilts. I have a standard – Night Stalker tartan, wore it last night to a holiday ceilidh, in fact – and really like it. It’s a great first kilt. So is the Stillwater thrifty kilt, but like the website says, the standard is a big step up from the thrifty, for the additional bucks. And yes, they have straps and buckles. This would suit you just fine.


Should I buy a sporran? I do need to keep my wallet handy and I don't want to fumble around in my backpack, but it is more money to spend.

Since you’re on the Stillwater website, go ahead and order a sporran. It’s optional, but the first time you’re out without pockets and you fumble with your cell phone and wallet and keys, you’ll wish you had one. A sporran also completes the look, in large part, and gives people the clue that you're not crossdressing; you're donning a kilt.

Last thought: A friend of mine who loves to wear hats once told me that if you think you look great, and you carry yourself as if you look great, you'll look great. But as soon as you say, "Man, I look dorky in this hat," you will, and people will pick up on it.

Same thing with kilts. Walk tall and hardly anyone will say a word. Of course, as has been well-documented on this board, some people put on a kilt and the confidence takes care of itself. My wife has even mentioned it to me: when I put on one of my kilts, she says I have an entirely different vibe about me -- much more confident and assertive. I don't even notice.

Good luck, newbie! Keep us posted on how things are going, and when the kilt arrives, post pics!

[GG]

Is there anyone else out there that's worn a kilt since they were a teen?

No, unfortunately I started very late.

Also, I'm of a bit awkward decent for wearing a kilt. I am part Swedish, part Italian, and a small bit German, however, I have no Anglo in me at all. Is it even socially acceptable for me to wear a kilt? Should I pick a particular tartan over another, or even a solid color?

I'm a Dane, German roots, no Scottish heritage. I think it is fully acceptable to wear a kilt. The kilt is just another comfortable and/or different garment. It is all the stuff that you don't need that makes the kilt a national dress.
I'm sure you from time to time see young girls your age in tartan skirts and nobody thinks it is wrong or that they must be Scottish. Therefore: If you like a tartan available, buy it.

That aside, I'm currently looking at a Stillwater Standard Kilt for my first one. It seems to be a good value. Does anyone else have one of these kilts?

I have some casual kilts from Scottish Heritage and one from The Frugal Corner. They are all perfect for casual wear. With Stillwater Kilts it is probably the same = good value for money.

I do intend to wear my kilt as a general purpose garment, i.e. from school to informal family gatherings. Would a Stillwater standard kilt suit my needs well?

From pictures and descriptions I'm sure it will.

...I'm on a budget, and will probably buy the least expensive kilt that meets my criteria

There you are. Go for the Stillwater.

Should I buy a sporran?

I'd say YES. The sporran makes the kilt to my opinion. By the way, Stillwater has an affordable nylon sporran.

Good luck!

Greg - kilted Dane

www.dress2kilt.eu