Chicken or egg, kilt or beard

[TheBrus]

It's close. I started wearing a beard when I was 16, and I could grow a full one (minus the moustache, which grew in a year or two later). I look kind of Amish for a while. The kilt came when I was 19.

One thing the beard is essential for, in terms of Highland dress for me, is I need to have one in order to wear the bonnet. I think I look as goofy in a bonnet without the whiskers. I think it's the lack of a bill--I wear the flat cap no matter what.

Either way, both very manly.

[SoSelkirk]

Grew a beard in my early twenties. Have had it for 35 years except for one day. Shaved it off one day, and remembered why I grew it in the first.

Have only had a kilt for a year. Guess the beard is first, but I think the kilt looks better with a beard.

[chrisupyonder]

Never had a beard, never felt the need. I always use a rotary electric shaver, gives a very close shave in 2 mins. If I miss a day and don't shave my face feels grubby and I hate it.
Some look good with a beard but not for me.

Chris.

[MikeS]

I started a goatee several years ago when I decided that the hair on my head was too thin to worry about anymore and I started shaving that off. The kilt came later.

I thought of looking masculine has crossed my mind, however its been my experience that those (usually teens) who snicker at seeing "the man in a skirt" usually focus on that one thing and ignore the shaved head, goatee, t-shirt and the boots or chunky shoes, and the "I'm gonna kick the crap outta you!" look that everyone seems to think I have.

Short of wearing a t-shirt that says, "ITS A KILT, STUPID!" I really don't think I could do anything different. I would make a horrible looking crossdresser even if I tried.

[biblemonkey]

I have a beard because without it my baby face makes me look 18 when I am in fact a rather well preserved 31. And my wife thinks I'm sexier with a beard.

[TheBrus]

My son got his first kilt for his first birthday. He's been growing a beard since he was four. He's now seven. Let's just say he has slow-growing facial hair that's nearly invisible. For him, it's all about convenience. He doesn't shave, because it saves a lot of time and blood. I think he started on the beard because he saw a clip of Her Majesty Mrs Brown and thought Billy Connolly looked sharp with the beard and kilt.

[Silent Raven]

Ever since i was 18 i had some sorta scruff on my face, mostly just my chin(as that was the only part that grew) My first beard appeared in the mirror in my junior year of college (2008 i believe) and it was a fantastic one at that! great for the highlands of Vermont and her cold winters! My second came just this past year when i grew it our for a full 4 months over the summer, partially because i was working in the mountains in the early cold mornings, but mostly because i enjoy having a beard and i was not living with my girlfriend who inst that found of them but doesn't mind them either. But sadly i just got a job in a deli and can only have sideburns so it all went away. So basically the beard was definitely first before the kilt, but i think they compliment each other very well! also i feel this is all useless with out pictures...
College Beard in 2008

most recent summer of 2011

[J_Mimbs]

But sadly i just got a job in a deli and can only have sideburns so it all went away.

I too worked a deli for a while. They let us wear beard nets, which let me keep facial hair but were itchy and awkward. And I often got confused with the other bearded man in the department, much to our mutual chagrin.

[Silent Raven]

I too worked a deli for a while. They let us wear beard nets, which let me keep facial hair but were itchy and awkward. And I often got confused with the other bearded man in the department, much to our mutual chagrin.

my deli only allows side burns no longer than the bottom of the ear and mustaches that dont go beyond the lip, but im not a fan of the lonely mustache and with nothing on my chin my visual age drops about 6-10 years depending on who you ask. every one at my job though i was bout 18 or 19 when im almost 26

my dad has also almost always had a beard since i was a kid, i think ive seen him shave it off just a few times leaving only his soup strainer. so its kinda an homage to him, although my grandfather was always clean shaven.

[Bill aka Mole]

I've had a moustache for nearly all of my adult life. Only been kilted for a year.