Topless Kilting

[Andy]

Again, I'm all for it. If you guys want to go shirtless, that's great. Go for it. Please keep it in an appropriate venue, of course, but have at it.

But to suggest that there's something WRONG with those who don't.... Um.

I don't want to speak for Ron, but I think the whole thing about going shirtless is entirely situational. I think 99% of us would never even consider going shirtless in public. In fact, most public, suburban places in America forbid this. Hence - No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service.

What I think Ron was pointing out is that, kilted or not, for most of us guys (and maybe a few of the females as well), losing the top is no big deal when in the confines of proper company (spouse, kids, friends, Mother Nature, Matthew McConouhey, fellow hippies, etc.) or the proper environment (backyard, back 40, camping out, Hippy Hollow [for all my Austin peeps], wrestling bears,etc.).....

I'm gonna be kilted and shirtless once again this evening. This time out back, desolate road with a potato sack full of fireworks left over from last year

[Andy]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Aye, but true beauty is in the eye of the beerholder....int:

[slohairt]

I don't ever go shirtless. Beside being very pale with a tendency to burn easily, I have a lot of birthmarks that would probably turn cancerous within the hour! So, for safety reasons, I always wear a shirt and sunscreen. A lot of sunscreen.

[slohairt]

I find the sideline debate of tan vs. pale to be quite interesting. Nowadays, people seem to prefer being tan, but until well into the 20th Century it was not considered desirable at all. People used to go to great lengths to make themselves paler (arsenic, chalk, etc.) Tanning became popular because more people went on beach vacations or visits to tropical locales. It also became something of a status symbol in northern climes. If you were tanned, you must be affluent and able to go on destination holidays. Very interesting.

[Andy]

Tanning for me is more a byproduct of my envoronment than anything else. I love being outdoors and live to just lounge around a pool or a nice whitesand beach whenever I can. I'm lucky in the fact that I tend to tan easily (as do my wife and kids). I will burn, however, if I'm out too long. However, too long for me, usually means too much beer as well so it all works out in the end. I know that sunscreen helps, but I hate the feeling of it. I will put it on my nose, ears and neck whenever I'm playing golf though.

I've seen some beautiful women with alibaster skin. Some look very exotic that way. And yes, I'm also a fan of the "goth look" if the right person can pull it off.

I think for me though, just being in the sun makes me feel more alive and healthier. Doing it kilted makes it just that much more better...

[ali8780]

I find the sideline debate of tan vs. pale to be quite interesting. Nowadays, people seem to prefer being tan, but until well into the 20th Century it was not considered desirable at all. People used to go to great lengths to make themselves paler (arsenic, chalk, etc.) Tanning became popular because more people went on beach vacations or visits to tropical locales. It also became something of a status symbol in northern climes. If you were tanned, you must be affluent and able to go on destination holidays. Very interesting.

I'd like to think that it's slowly (too slowly for my taste) going out of style for this era as well, not only is it unhealthy, but it's unsightly when it gets out of hand. And as an extra bonus, there's no worry of tan lines In fact, my arms are getting too tan for my liking, I've thought about wearing a sunscreen on them daily, and finding a skin lightener to try to bring them back, I really should get on that... (now you are all going to think I'm crazy!)

[James MacMillan]

Jay, you've never looked more comfortable.

Say, is that a sgian dubh tucked in at your waist?

Regards,
Rex.

Yup! Can't be too careful. You never know when you might be attacked by a rabid squirrel in the back yard!

[Riverkilt]

You crack me up Rex! Yup, some of my parts keep moving....

And no, I don't go topless and kilted to a dinner party...not fair to those dining...

Original intent of the thread was getting more posts of topless kilting...see so much already, seems to be an option for many.

No problem with those that choose not to....just sad if the reason is body shame. There is such FREEDOM to enjoy in the proper time and place...a FREEDOM that enhances the FREEDOM of a kilt.

But of course - each to their own. It does strike me as ironic that we can be so free with our kilting and then have hesitation up top.

And good on you guys who shared pics!!

Never guessed this topic would get such a run....is this a great board or what??!!

[bear]

I keep thinking about this thread. I'm not entirely comfortable with my upper body shape and I'm working on it, but I'm 50 and it goes slowly. The question that keeps popping into my head is, "What if I never get lean?"
Would that mean I could never again go without a shirt on a sunny day?
I can't accept that.
I'm just going ahead and taking off my shirt.
No harm will be done. Small children will not scream. Dogs will not froth at the mouth.
Vast sheets of the polar ice caps will not cascade majestically into the ocean, causing massive worlwide flooding and general panic.
Uncounted armies of the undead will not rise seeking brains for brunch.

It's just a tummy, guys!

I see worse every day walking down the street. See that short, 300 lb woman in the spandex shorts and halter top? No, the other 300 lb woman in the spandex shorts and halter top. Yeah, the one with the lime green crocs, pink hair, and celtic tattoo on her calf.

My tummy's not sounding so bad!

[Lady M]

Yup! Can't be too careful. You never know when you might be attacked by a rabid squirrel in the back yard!