How do I answer the penultimate question?

[Maxblade]

I posted another Topic about getting me started, but I have another side question that I need help with. The best way for me to explain my situation is with a real example:

Me: Hey Brother (actual brother), I bought a kilt today, but its a khaki kilt...basically like cargo pants...but a kilt
Brother: When are you going to wear that?
Me: Honestly, I was going to wear it tomorrow when you and I go to the mall with the families
Brother: I'm not going.
Me: Why?
Brother: I don't want to get accidentally flashed by you and see your privates!
Me: Ummm ok...I was gonna wear underwear...
Brother: Then why are you wearing a kilt if you aren't going regimental!!! What's the point!!!
Me: You just said you wouldn't go because I was wearing a kilt under the assumption of me not wearing underwear, now I tell you I am wearing underwear and you are upset that I am wearing a kilt while wearing underwear.
Brother: I just don't see the point.

This is the normal discourse that I have with the non-enlightened...any advice?
Not to get to personal....but the underwear question....am I wrong to be wearing underwear?

[Geoff Withnell]

NO! You are not wrong wear something under the kilt. In my opinion, you were wrong to tell him. To a question like this by family, I would answer that I would maintain appropriate modesty, by appropriate means. I don't answer this question. When asked by strangers, I say something on the order of "Why would you want to know?", or "That's between me, my wife and the Lord". It's just like trousers, some wear briefs, some wear drawers, some wear nothing. It's your business, no one else's.

Geoff Withnell

[toadinakilt]

Huh, my brother wears his UK's more than I wear mine...

But yeah, that's pretty typical, unfortunately. Just wear it. The more he sees you in it, the less he'll be uncomfortable.

[auld argonian]

I have a couple of friends that have the same sort of reaction. I assure you that no kind of logic is going to sway them so just carry on to please yourself.

Logic? I get this weird reaction from those few folks no matter what I point out.

"Look...have you ever even seen me wear shorts...no matter how hot it gets?"

"No."

"...and I usually wear a long sleeved shirt maybe with the sleeves rolled up...if it's summer and I'm wearing a t-shirt, I'm usually wearing a light weight long sleeve shirt (sleeves rolled up) over it, right?"

"Yes."

"So most of the year, all you ever see is my face and the backs of my hands and maybe over the summer you can also see my forearms, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so..."

"And if I'm wearing a kilt, the only other thing that you can see besides what you usually see of me is my knees?"

"Yeah."

"So how do you figger that after something like fifty years of dressing modestly, I'm somehow going to go totally berserk and take the chance that anybody is going to see any more of me than they usually would? Do you not think that I have thoroughly considered every possibility and have taken all necessary measures to insure that modesty will be preserved?"

"I'm not going to go anywhere with you while you're wearing that kilt!"

Like I say...you can't win so why try...

Best

AA

[Riverkilt]

If you're gonna do a lot of walking or hiking I recommend you find a way to protect your "fire helmet" from the Utilikilt's fabric...can make you sore.

Underwear or not really depends on how you're feeling, what you expect to be doing, and if you're gonna be around little kids.

Have some fun. Tell your friend to come to the mall with you but follow you about 20 paces behind you. He'll crack up at the way folks sneak a double take at you after they pass you going the other way.

Kilting can be fun.

[MacMillans son]

I would agree with what others have said on this site before, "would you ask what someone is wearing under their pants"? Would you ask your brother's wife what she is wearing under her skirt? I would hope not, but if you have familiarity with someone (like a family member or close friend) who is actually seeking to be educated, the response could be appropriately and generally answered with " Just like pants, some men wear boxers, some wear briefs, and some wear nothing at all.

I think it's important to remember that the kilt is not a common form of attire and no matter where you are going to wear it you are going to get an unusual amount of attention, even if only visual attention. Some people are more comfortable with attention than others, even by proxy. I would suspect your brother's concern may not be for what you are, or are not, wearing under the kilt as much as his being associated with the only guy at the mall wearing a kilt, and all of the visual attention you will likely generate.

Matt Newsome, of the Scottish Tartan Museum, modeled that awareness for me when commenting on his own need to be sensitive to the attention generated by the kilt. When attending someone else's wedding, he purposely dressed down his kilt attire in order not to attract too much attention away from the honored couple. Very thoughtful behavior, based on the reality that the kilt is an unusual garment that will generate attention.

What I have found in my short time as a kilt wearer, is as I become more comfortable wearing the kilt around others who are not kilted, the novelty wears off for them as well, and it becomes more or less just another item of clothing in my wardrobe to them. Give them, and yourself, time to adjust.

And, as I have heard said before, "Wear it often and wear it with pride!"

[Maxblade]

Thanks for all the great advice! I find it really neat that something as simple as 1 article of clothing can bring you brotherhood akin to a fraternity. You guys are great!

[wildrover]

When he's at the mall and a cute girl walks by, how often is he privileged enough to be made fully aware of whether she's in complete command of her skirt?

Given that your kilt is longer, heavier, and far more opaque than the skirts that we're fortunate enough to see these days ...he's got nothing to worry about, and you may as well tell him you're going to the mall, and he needs to get his mind off your junk .