First day in public kilted...

[ScottInNewHampshire]

Good fun. Glad it was a good experience.

I think the question about standing taller was a really good one. I find when I'm kilted I feel more confident and actually take greater care to stand and position myself more purposefully. This could be an interesting thread.

[DesertCeltic]

Congrats and keep it up. When I got my first kilt (birthday present) last year I wore it all July 4th weekend. I created a Scottish themed game for our department all hands and wore it to work. The center manager and HR were in attendance. I asked HR if there was an issue and they said "No". I wear them almost everyday to work now. Keep on kiltin

[MacKay71 Wife]

Congratulations and here's to many more kilted days to come! Bravo! Kilt on!

[Jack Daw]

It didn't even occur to me to ask HR. After all, it's just a piece of clothing. I work on a university campus, however, so I doubt it'd be a problem. I guess I'll find out! I think the phrase is "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission", right?


I've already got my next 2 (maybe 3) picked out.

Congrats on the inaugeration. My best bud works at the University of Texas and wears the kilt anytime he feels like it, which is a lot.

[Sammac]

Congratulations!



Once in a while I run into a culture gap... and hear the young kids sniggering, but you get used that real quick.

And as I walk by I say to my wife "You would never see my wear something like that." Just loud enough for the young kids to hear and then it's my turn to snigger.

[ChubRock]

Congratulations on your accomplishment! Now it only gets more natural and less weird, until you go other places. Today I stopped for gas, went to Fastenal to buy some steel and pick up lunch, of course kilted. Many strange looks and grins, some snickering and whispering, but no mean comments. I have found that when kilted it is better to do manly things, like carrying 10' long pieces of steel unistrut, pumping gas and buying a burrito with HOT salsa. Don't know if I would go to a fabric store or order a latte.

[jeremy j starche]

And as I walk by I say to my wife "You would never see my wear something like that." Just loud enough for the young kids to hear and then it's my turn to snigger.

Ah... I'll have to try that....

[tulloch]

Congratulations. It is exhilirating, isn't it? I wanted a kilt for over 40 years and when I finally put mine on I felt taller, breathed easier. Wonderful feeling. Great story.

[Foosinho]

Great to hear you had a good experience. I live in Delaware OH and have been wearing my kilts a lot this summer, especially after finding Xmarks. I will also be going to the Dublin Irish festival on Saturday. If my new Stillwater Irish national
economy comes in tomorrow I will be wearing it.Otherwise I will probable wear my Stillwater Leatherneck Standard. I will keep an eye out for you and hope to see you.

I saw a couple other Irish National tartans. Had the guy teaching the Irish 101 workshop poke a little fun at me (but in general there were a few Scottish jokes from the Irishmen there. I won't repeat them here!). That was quite literally the only mention of the kilt, which is unsurprising given how many there were (most of them contemporary kilts). There was one guy who looked like he was a piper in one of the pipe and drum bands who liked my t-shirt (not at all kilt related)!

Congrats on the inaugeration. My best bud works at the University of Texas and wears the kilt anytime he feels like it, which is a lot.

Sadly, my association with the university will almost certainly be coming to an end at the end of August (not by my choice - tough times and all that). I have my doubts about many other employers being as flexible as a university environment can be. So it might be a while until I can try that again.

After seeing some of the really nice hose some of the pipers were wearing, I definitely need some good hose. I'd really like to get a nicer belt and sporran too. That stuff is going to have to wait until I get a new job, tho. And I'm really wanting a nice wool kilt; I generally like my Stillwater for what it is, but after being able to compare the look of the wool ones to my acrylic one, I'm definitely wanting an upgrade. It's a fine casual kilt, tho.

It was warm on Saturday, too. The breeze was nice, but I was definitely dealing with some very uncomfortable friction issues after about 12 hours out there. And sporrans provide a very limited amount of storage - I haven't quite worked out how to carry my multitool and flashlight along with wallet, keys, cellphone and any miscellaneous junk. Pockets were a pretty good invention. Pointers welcome!

For other central Ohio folks, you should definitely check out the Columbus Fire & Police Pipes & Drums. It's a small group of full-time police and firefighters. Very informal - they were all wearing Utilikilts - but they were decent enough, and fun. They played some traditional Ohio State University music. Carmen Ohio is stunning on pipes. I also enjoyed Mossy Moran, a Cleveland-based Irish musician who plays a ton of traditional Irish rebel music. (You can find videos of both on YouTube.)

[MrLion]

My brother and I went out w our kilts for the first time outside of a celtic event this past weekend: a food festival at a local park. It was fun to notice the looks of surprise and acceptance. One very old lady walked her bicycle right between us to tell us "you two look really HOT!"
Had a few shouts of encouragement. One DOES walk taller!
I understand about having to wait for budget to upgrade. Enjoy what you have. Thanks for sharing.