How find the guts to go kilted in a conservative community?

[ChattanCat]

If you go out looking comfortable with the way you're dressed, many of the people you see may not even notice that you're wearing the kilt.

No, everyone will notice. That's just it, you get respect for wearing it. You get noticed. People who you don't know feel at ease to ask you questions about the kilt. I love it.

[McClef]

I am not sure if the phrase "conservative" carries the same connotation this side of the Atlantic or not.

If you mean "suit and tie" etc that would be a form of dress in business hours or for semi-formal occasions and they come off at home in favour of shirt or trousers or t shirt and jeans.

If you mean "conservative" as an expectation of bifurbication for men that's a different kettle of fish and is more to do with either ignorance of the possibilities of male clothing or, whilst being aware that they exist, not being used to seeing them.

I think the "boy bits and how one dresses" argument is a bit of a red herring given that only really tight clothing might carry a danger of providing information wanted or unwanted - I see similar arguments regarding the need for a sporran or not.

It's more a question of what people are used to seeing and for many a kilt is a new concept to get used to but my experience is that they do and that compliments are far more likely than negative comment and interested intelligent questions will be asked.

[ChattanCat]

McClef,
I think that "conservative" is refering to a community that does not accept something out of the normal. For instance, a kilt instead of pants. Conservative can also be considered not accepting of change. We have Amish that have refused to embrace the industrial revolution and all the polution that goes with it. I think they may be on to something though...

[Riverkilt]

This may help. I'm just back from a couple hours out and about around my little conservative rural town.

Post Office...friendly hellos. ATM machine...friendly hellos. Hiking a popular trail I ran into 8 Navajo guys who are at the local Navajo run residential treatment center. They know me from AA. Each stops to say hello and shake my hand respectfully. We chat,not a word about the kilt. Pass many tourists...friendly hellos.

Stop at the supermarket. Local lady attorney who's a friend - think we're on each other's lists for "some day" but that's my ego...big smile and hello from her. Passing the bakery the baker lady says, "Its so good to see you in a kilt." and she meant it. A guy tourists asks if there's an event going on. Tell him no, I just enjoy the freedom. Said I used to dress like a woman but pants are so restrictive...he laughs. He asks what clan, I tell him mine, he tells me his are Sutherland and Gray. Tell him those are noble clans. He smiles. Then he says his son wants a kilt. Tell him to get him one, its the in fashion thing these days, very popular.

That's a pretty typical kilt run for most of us. Its all good.

Ron

[7 miles]

Me and my family are going out kilted for the first time. We are going to our local scottish games May third. I wanted to pick that event so my five children will not be tramatized by ignorant peoples comments. After that Wal - Mart if they want!

[Nick the DSM]

we arent pestered all the time, you know.

[ghostlight]

If you go out looking comfortable with the way you're dressed, many of the people you see may not even notice that you're wearing the kilt.

No, everyone will notice...

Maybe it's the area I live in or maybe that I work on a college campus. It might also have a lot to do with the fact that I currently only have solid black UKs. But I've had people tell me they thought I was wearing athletic shorts from a distance and comment that they thought I "look too comfortable to be wearing a kilt" (whatever that means?; are kilts supposed to be uncomfortable? ).

Some of them just didn't notice until I was in their face.

Maybe my experiences will change once I get myself a couple of tartan kilts.

[Caddy One]

You will be surprised that you will get more positive reactions than negatives....especially from the ladies and who really cares about what the men say...

[McNulty]

There is a sense of reluctance when wearing the kilt for the "first" time, whether it's the "first" time in the house, or out for a walk, or all day at work. You are not sure of yourself and how others will react so you need to test the water's first!
My "first " time was to go out and get the paper at the end of our driveway. Okay, I said as I walked down to get the paper, only thinking that when I bend over I do not want to moon the entire neighborhood. Made it out and back easily. Then it was the "first" time out hiking. All was fine heading out the door to the close by trail, had to tell myself to slow down and walk natural. And then OMG there are other people coming toward me on the trail (good to have a dog with you while hiking) and they were met and since the blood was pounding in my ears from the nerves I can't remember whether I heard them say anything or not.
I had to sit for several minutes in the faculty parking lot gather my thoughts and mental strength prior to stepping out of the car and into the hallways at school kilted for the "first"time. So far there have been no real obstacles to my being kilted. I pick the time and place to wear my kilts and do that with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
I'll not use the cliche "A trip of.... starts with the "first" step." But you'll find your own time and place and pace. You'll do fine.
Nulty

[JRB]

I've found that (besides highland games) the least self-concious place to experience wearing a kilt in public is a nice restaurant. Pick a place where men usually wear a jacket and tie. I've noticed that in a fancy eatery pretty much everyone appreciates a man in a kilt. It's a great place to break yourself in to wearing kilts "out in the real world".