I may be out of my league here...

[OC Richard]

I should mention a correction to my above post: In addition to wearing Highland dress to play pipes in, and also to occasional ordinary functions where a suit is expected, I also wear it to Scottish-themed concerts, say the US tour of a Scottish military pipe band, etc. In this I continue something our pipe band did regularly during the 1980's and 1990's, and that is attend these Scottish military tour concerts as a group in Highland dress.

[ForresterModern]

Although not a daily wearer I will echo McMurdo's comment on the need for ironing and wearing the kilt. All mine are either 13 or 16 oz wool from quality mills, except for a rarely worn PV. With my gut, and sitting all day, I often get a few creases across the apron that might need steaming or a touch up ironing of the apron itself, but no matter how long I sit (up to 9 hours at work, 6-8 hours on long driving trips, etc...) I have yet to end up with pleats that needed anything more than either a layout on a bed for day or two or maybe hung in the bathroom while I shower to clear out the minor creases.

Wear your kilt when and how you are comfortable doing so. No one will give you grief either way.

[NewPiperinNY]

Just joined the forum to share a comment about an article I read relating to this forum (this thread), and in browsing the topics it looks like I'm no match for some of the folks that frequent these boards. I own one kilt and wear it regularly, but only when I'm playing my bagpipes, and then only for performances or competitions. It's not part of my daily wear wardrobe, just part of a costume that I wear when performing.

The few times I've been to a highland games only as a spectator, I don't wear my kilt. When I am playing at a highland games I will usually change into jeans or shorts once I'm finished playing.

I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to wear my kilt, but I don't really see it as necessary unless the pipes are out. Practically speaking I prefer having pockets (I find the sporran to be generally unsuited to my needs), and I hate sitting down in a kilt, especially in a car, because the pleats get bunched up and wrinkled.

That's just my point of view; feel free to show me the error of my ways. You folks seem to be fanatical about your kilts, and that should not be taken as a derogatory comment!

Hey there Key, I am in the same boat as you and agree with most everything you say.. except for calling it a costume. I tend to refer to my kilt and accessories as a uniform. 'Costume', to me, just detracts from the aura that wearing a kilt can develop.

[bricelythgoe]

Just a bit more on ironing. Your pants get wrinkled just as easily as a kilt, you just never have thought to notice it. I notice when sit for a while my pants get pretty wrinkly, I just don't care. Same with the kilt. However, I have found that the wrinkles fall out pretty easily (even with my PV).

Now, back to topic. I wear my kilt occasionaly. Wish I could wear it more. For me the ideal would be 2-4 times a month. Usually only get about once.

Brice

[Bugbear]

Oh goody, now we have to worry about the pipers looking down on us for wearing our kilts.

[Inchessi]

I like to wear my kilt as often as I can, however, my work has specific safety requirements. Now my suits, I wear them sparingly. I like wearing a suit, it is reminisce of my uniformed days. They need way too much care, they wrinkle easy, and they are light weight, requiring a trench coat on brisk days. So I tend to wear them to formal meetings only. You just can't wear a suit hiking or to a good old fashion mud bog. Now the kilts, they fit well in both, more so with the companies around making acrylic and PV kilts for less than $100 USD.

Welcome to the board, and like so many before have said, kilt on as often or as little as you enjoy.

[dutchy kilted]

Welcome!
I can see why you would want to get out of your kilt as possible when it is a "uniform" or costume." As a police officer I can't wait to get out of my uniform when I get off work. Of course, I usually put on a kilt - 12 hours in polyester, leather and kevlar is quite enough. For must of us who wear a kilt frequently, a kilt is just another piece of clothing, it just happens to be hideously comfortable and slightly offbeat. Maybe purchase a used kilt and start thinking of it as another option instead of pants, rather than a uniform or costume, and perhaps you will realize why so many members of XMTS are full or part time kilt wearers. If not, well, post some pictures of yourself in your piping gear!