nervous in my kilt

**Finn** · 17th July 08, 11:10 AM

When you strap on the kilt, you're also strapping on a confident, masculine & damn sexy attitude.

**David White** · 17th July 08, 11:57 AM

It becomes first nature, don't sweat it.

I've only ever had one experience that wasn't pleasent.
I was at a small grocery store I always go to, they see me kilted all the time. The young lady working the line wouldn't make eye contact with me and she turned bright red. There was a delivery man behind me and I knew what was up. I asked her if there was a problem and she said "so and so just cracks me up" I turned and looked at him dead-pan, no expression what so ever. He quit joking (at me) and looked down at the floor-he wouldn't even make eye contact. I took my stuff and walked out all puffed up like I owned the store.

Confidence-walk with pride.

**Mike in Dayton** · 17th July 08, 07:28 PM

I understand the feeling. Most of us grew up without any family or friends in the kilt. Even if you have Celtic ancestry the kilt was looked at as something to wear for a special occasion. If you had no Celtic ancestry you grew up thinking the kilt was for a Scott to wear in the parade. Now you want to wear the kilt and in public you find yourself alone and a little nervous. Yes, you will attract attention as you are probably the only one in the kilt. Keep in mind the kilt is a man's garment and has a rich history behind it. You can wear it just as well as a pair of jeans. Your fears are in your mind. Expect to get questions about the kilt. You will find you will have conversations with people you would otherwise never had. I wear my kilt out just about every weekend running errands. At one store I feel funny NOT wearing the kilt as a lady that works there expects me in the kilt.

I have a suggestion. I see you are from Columbus, OH. There is a kilt night just about every month or two. There was one last Saturday (July 12) that I unfortunately missed. Watch this board for the next one. Plan on attending. They are held normally on a Saturday night at an English or Irish pub or someplace where a kilt would be expected. You will be there with a small group of members from this group. Also, in Dayton starting Friday, July 25 through the weekend is the Celtic Festival. There will be others in a the kilt at that event. Once you get out with a few others you will gain confidence in the kilt. You will also find your collection of kilts will start to grow. As that potato chip commercial said "you can't have just one".

Good luck
Mike

**ncof300d** · 17th July 08, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by mfl243

Okay, so I have 2 kilts now and have worn them around the house, on a road trip and to walk the dog in the wee hours of the morning,...yesterday, I decided to wear my new sport kilt over to the local park while walking the dog,..I became very self-conscious, which surprised,..I found myself avoiding folks and waiting for some sort of slur to be thrown my way,...I was surprised, but can't imagine I'm the only one who has experienced this. How do other folks deal with this anxiety/sense of sticking out etc?

Nothing adverse happened to me, but I was glad to get home

thx--Mac

By the way what kind are your two kilts?

**Dirk Skene** · 18th July 08, 08:14 AM

I think at first it is normal to be aprehensive. It is simple NOT the way most men dress. After awhile, if you wear a kilt regularly, it just becomes old hat. I still remember my 1st 2 weeks or so. I was SOOOOOO nervious. Now I think nothing of it.

**McFarkus** · 18th July 08, 08:33 AM

From "the King and I"

Make believe you're brave
And the trick will take you far
You will be as brave as you make believe you are.

**BlueLabel** · 18th July 08, 08:43 AM

Confidence ... I could not agree more. That is something you need in many a things that you do within your life. Wearing a kilt has advantages, getting into conversations with people you would never to have thought to have had a conversation with. Of course it's going to get the attention of people, especially those that have never worn a kilt, nor been around those that wear them. Wear it with confidence...but don't forget pride. For it is in that, that you will be wearing it for as well. Pride for your clansmen, pride in your heritage, or pride in whatever the case may be for you. But most of all, wear it for you, for the feeling it gives you at home...makes home wherever you wear your kilt.

**Rex_Tremende** · 18th July 08, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by BlueLabel

Confidence ... That is something you need in many a things that you do within your life. Wearing a kilt has advantages, ...

I've noticed, too, that the confidence one develops while wearing a kilt wears well even when not wearing a kilt. This is a side benefit I had not anticipated, but I'm sure glad I discovered it.

Regards,
Rex.

**RamsayClanCommish** · 19th July 08, 12:08 PM

Oddly enough, I was so psyched to actually get my kilt that I had no anxiety or fear. In fact, I first wore it at the Scottish gathering and Highland Games I had helped to organize here in my town. I was never worried about what the locals would say. I was more worried about not getting it on soon enough. And I had no qualms about leaving the festival to go uptown to the store for extra water or cameras. In fact, I was HOPING someone would make some snide remark so I could unleash a few witty retorts. My son who was with me wasn't quite so sure about beign seen in public with me dressed like that...lol.

And I only had one while at the grocery. A co-worker had seen me and asked me if I was wearing anything under my dress. So I just said, "Just your wife's lipstick." Yeah, it's an old line...but it was funny to me and him. he just wished I hadn't said it in the checkout line. But most other people who noticed (let's be honest...people today are too absorbed in themselves to care what others do or wear) seemed to be appreciative or approving.

But I found a great sense of pride in wearing my kilt and have never once felt a bit of anxiety or dread. I look for excuses to wear it..lol.

**Carolina Kiltman** · 19th July 08, 03:11 PM

All the advice above is good! Nervousness at first is normal (like stage fright when getting up to speak). I don't think I have ever heard a disparaging remark, period! Of course I live in a hotbed of Scots (Cape Fear Valley, NC). I have been asked on several occasions to pose for pictures with visiting types. I also collect lots of smiles and compliments. So just go as if it were the most natural thing in the world for you to wear a kilt!