Wearing a kilt out and about

[joek]

The first time I wore my St. Pat's was to a restaurant although I needed to go to a Home Depot first. More often than not I usually get looks but not many remarks unless I initiate the conversation. Whether it's a casual - khaki or desert camo - or the Black Watch the results are pretty much the same. Kilts are not part of my ancestry and although I have not been wearing them that long, they are very comfortable either around the house or anywhere else. And on long driving trips they really can't be beat.

[hector]

To shorten a long story:
My son and his girlfriend (now his spouse) lived in Edinburgh for one year. Visiting them, I discovered the existence of the kilt and the highland dress. But nothing else happened at that time.
Two autumns ago my country played Scotland in (European) football. Again I saw many people kilted (top class dressed ones, as well as very basic or even below basic dressed guys). This was the final click for me to get a kilt (have 8 now!).
The first time I left my house kilted I went to Bruges; in the dark and in the rain. Being afraid for reactions, I did minimize the 'danger'. But there were no bad reactions.
Now, one year later I am still not fully self-assured yet. (Neighbours never saw me kilted.) But the confidence is growing by the day. My son and his wife know it and saw me. I got only positive reactions.
I leave my house kilted at least once in a week. I go to several places. Most people ignore or pretend to ignore me. Often females show an approving little smile on their face and some give positive comments. Some men do not hide to be jalouse (but missing the courage to do the same).
My advice is when being kilted in public do it well dressed (combine your kilt with nice hose, shirt, jacket, sporran). It gives a very stylish impression. I also mostly leave my home accompanied by my wife. This gives more confidence and for the outside world the picture becomes even more complete.
Sorry for being so long.

[pinkpickle]

I have only received positive responses from wearing a Kilt....especially just this past Christmas....my wife's family saw me in a kilt for the first time.....we went out for a family dinner and I had strangers compliment me on the kilt....but that could just be a Canadian thing, we are polite

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

The first time I wore a kilt just 'out and about' was when I was about 18 or so. I wore it to a restaurant I had been looking forward to visiting. Not one person made a single comment as I walked down the pavement to the restaurant. Nor when I was walking by the sea afterwards. Perhaps no one gave it a second thought. I certainly didn't by the end of the evening.
Cheers
Nick

[Andrews Son]

The first time I wore a kilt just 'out and about' was when I was about 18 or so. I wore it to a restaurant I had been looking forward to visiting. Not one person made a single comment as I walked down the pavement to the restaurant. Nor when I was walking by the sea afterwards. Perhaps no one gave it a second thought. I certainly didn't by the end of the evening.
Cheers
Nick

It was just natural for you, thats great. Did you feel like, some scots believe its only for formal, whereas yourself and others on this forum see it as an everyday thing which is what drew me to this forum.

[WillowEstate]

Gavin, like the Nike ad - just do it! If you read my introduction, you will see that I first wore mine publicly specifically to stand out at a business conference. From there it progressed to trade shows, then just out and about in general, walks along the Ashby canal in Leicestershire, then stops at the motorway services on the way to and from another event. London was a favourite haunt - you can get away with anything there!

After that, it just became a garment choice. As others have said, you do get questions, mostly about the tartan and the odd small child pointing it out to a parent (it's always fun to lurk and listen to the explanation!).

By the time we moved to Australia, it was just second nature, nothing special to head off to the supermarket for the weekly shopping or for a day at the coast. In fact, I've had no negative comments here at all, maybe it goes with the lifestyle here?

You say your workmates are giving you some hassle - just the mob effect, I guess. If you just ignore them, they'll get tired before you do. If there's a good looking secretary where you work, you could always ask (bribe?) her to come and chat to you when your mates are around, making it obvious that your kilt is the attraction!

[Andrews Son]

Gavin, like the Nike ad - just do it! If you read my introduction, you will see that I first wore mine publicly specifically to stand out at a business conference. From there it progressed to trade shows, then just out and about in general, walks along the Ashby canal in Leicestershire, then stops at the motorway services on the way to and from another event. London was a favourite haunt - you can get away with anything there!

Good way to stand out. Brilliant business tactic on your behalf did it gather any benefits.

You say your workmates are giving you some hassle - just the mob effect, I guess. If you just ignore them, they'll get tired before you do. If there's a good looking secretary where you work, you could always ask (bribe?) her to come and chat to you when your mates are around, making it obvious that your kilt is the attraction!

I wish there was a receptionist, but no im a builders labourer so i caught my eye on the utilikilt workman. Be briliant for my type of work and no doubt cause some controversy on site. But see what the summer brings.

[kilttrip]

My first, non-event kilt wearing was due to sun burn - yes, even in Scotland you can get BAD sun burn, so was wearing it for comfort.
I only got positive remarks, and quite a few questions about the tartan. Having worn a sarong, I thought nothing of it, and it wasn't until a friend remarked on the fact he'd seen me and asked didn't I feel self consious that I even considered it.
If you feel confident to wear it, forget the idiots who make 'hilarious' remarks and ask dumb questions ("don't you feel a prat wearing a skirt?" they may just be jealous or too insecure to try it themselves, and just take pride in the fact that you CAN wear it, with panache and style. Its your kilt, you bought it to wear it, so do so. End of story.

Isn't wearing the kilt fairly common in Scotland? I would think that even if it isn't an every day sight, that people would at least be familiar with it.

[David]

I cant remember the 1st time I wore my kilt to a non-wedding type event. But I do remember when I attended an event in the Signet Library (a spectacular place just off the Royal Mile) with two work colleagues. We decided to wear our kilts - it was a black tie affair so we were not "just out and about". We parked a bit away from the RM and had to walk a fair way up to the Library. Is was a lovely summers evening and the town was packed with people out for the evening. I lost count of the number of times we were asked to stop and have our photo taken.

[craigclan]

The first time i wore my kilt out was to my local thrift store and walmart . I got lots of stares and people running into things as they turned there heads to look at me when they walked by . Just made me giggle to myself . People will always stare and make comments but hey who cares , Just wear it and enjoy wearing it .