Conversation Starter

[Rex_Tremende]

So, you've been invited to a party, and you can expect that you won't know but one or two people there. Not real good with connecting with people? Wear a kilt: people will come to you.

Last night I attended a holiday bash at the home of my financial advisor and his wife, an attorney, for their clients and business associates. Besides the host, Kyle, his office assistant, Mindy, and Mindy's likely future father-in-law, Jeff (a business associate of Kyle's and owner of one of my puppies, Wallis), I did not know a soul. There is no quicker way to get the attention of a roomful of strangers than to walk in wearing a spiffy kilt ensemble.

I wore the red Tewksbury tank, green hose, red flashes, black shoes, a black knit vest, a white shirt with an argyle diamond pattern in the weave, and the "seal" semi-dress sporran. One fellow quipped, "I almost wore that exact outfit tonight!"

"What a relief!," I said. "That would have been a disaster!" This gave the people flocked around the bar a good laugh.

Two gentlemen rushed up to me to ask how I acquired the kilt, so I did my best to explain the process. It turns out they were looking for an idea for their next golf "invitational," an annual golf trip they take with two other friends. One said they usually work up a logo and have it embroidered on something: a hat, shirt, bag or the like. Since they had run out of ideas, they thought the kilt was the perfect next thing. But they were worried about the price.

I suggested they look at USAKilts.com for some affordable options and tried to dissuade them from embroidering their kilts with a logo. Wouldn't they rather have a kilt pin made?

One of the fellows asked the question, which I declined to answer. The other proposed a baudy reason why he would wear underwear under a $500 garment. So much for the mystery! I demonstrated the effect of a golf swing on pleats for their consideration. They said they'd have cameras ready.

For the rest of the evening, the kilt was my entree to any conversation I wanted to crash - I just walked up to anyone looking like they were in the middle of a lull, and we had something to talk about before moving on to other topics.

By contrast, Jeff and his wife hosted a party the previous night for their youngest son and his 20-something friends. There conversation flowed as freely and rapidly as the wine and beer, but virtually no one mentioned my kilt (worn more casually with brown leathers and a denim shirt). The question I got most often was along the lines of why was I there (I am Wallis' "dad.") I got a good howl from everyone when I passed a clutch of young ladies on the floor when I went with exaggerated modesty to collect my 99-cent secret gift under the tree.

On a side note, the one consistent thing people tell me wherever I go, including last night's party, is, "You wear it well," which I think is an oddly formed compliment. I think it has more to do with my comportment than what I'm wearing. One tends to develop a certain sense of confidence when you are the odd man out in a room full of men in trousers. They said this when I spent a Halloween at the office in Renaissance-style doublet and hose. I'm tempted to wear a burlap sack one day to see if I can elicit the same response.

Cheers,
Rex.

[CactusJack]

Sounds like you had a great time, My wif's company will be having their holiday party next month and I plan on wearing my kilt for the event so maybe it will turn out the same as I usually just sit ther because I don'y know many of the people there.

[Thunderbolt]

Outstanding!

At my company party, much the same thing happened. Even though I was dressed casually/semi formally, I got many of the the same type of comments.

I was hiking the other day on a nice little trail in the desert. I passed two women engaged in conversation, paying more attention to the trail and each other other than me, until we passed on the trail. The first looked up at me and said "wha...?" Then the other looked said "Wow".

The first said "That's a REAL man." The other said "I can't believe you have the confidence to wear a kilt." I was almost embarrased at this point. A short conversation continued, where I got THE question, of course, and was asked how often I wear it. I said very often, even at work. After a few more questions, I said good day and we went our seperate ways.

If one is not ready for conversation, attention and looks, the kilt would be a bad choice. I was thinking when I finally got away from the two hikers, that it really does require a lot of confidence to wear a kilt. We wear the kilt for a lot of different reasons, but it really does exude a strong air about us,(Not the smelly kind, either!) and I think that's a primary people are drawn to us in the kilt.

Really, like a James Bond walking into a ballroom. He may or may not be the most handsome man in the room at the time, however, He carries it well . That confidence is obvious.

Just some ramblings.

T.

[Panache]

Rex,

Great story. As for the comment "You wear it well", I think that really distinctive clothing or costume can often overwhelm the wearer. All people see is the outfit, not the person. At Halloween, anyone can don a Reanaissace nobleman's costume. "Wow great costume!" people will exclaim. But if worn with flair they see you as a Renaissance era Lord!

It is the same with the kilt. A confident and dapper gent wears it, for a less confident one the kilt wears him. If that makes sense.


says Panache who has also been known to wear a Renaissance Noble's costume for Halloween

... They said this when I spent a Halloween at the office in Renaissance-style doublet and hose. I'm tempted to wear a burlap sack one day to see if I can elicit the same response.

Cheers,
Rex.

Rex, if anyone can pull off wearing a burlap sack it's you!

Cheers

Jamie

[Bugbear]

Glad you had a great time.

[James MacMillan]

That's what happens to me. Kilting is a great way to break the ice!

Of course, if you are the timid type, you probably wouldn't even think of it.

Most of us aren't timid here...

[Andrew Breecher]

I think perhaps "You wear it well" is the same sort of thing as when you've been talking with someone for a couple of minutes and they say, "I didn't even notice at first that you were wearing the kilt." Some people might be self-conscious about wearing it that the kilt wears them, not the other way around.

Andrew.

[Casper]

I've had similar experiences at company functions. Although I know most people, and most people know me (joys of being management), I was still the only one kilted at the company Christmas party... instant attention grabber and conversation piece!

[high-gear]

Good on Ya! Sounds like a blast! My wife is always apprehensive when I choose to wear the kilt, but all feedback is positive. I think everyone loves a man in a kilt, and respects the kind of man who wears one.

[Ozman1944]

I'm Kilting at a big New Year's Eve Party; Fly Plaid & all.