Hello from Eugene, OR

[Nigel]

Hi,

I am Nigel Fisher, a (hopefully) soon-to-be-kilted teenager. I live in Eugene, Oregon, USA as I noticed Mowgli does. It's great here - a little cold for my tastes (I grew up in southern California) but still great. I have talked to my friends and they agree that with my legs and general demeanor, I could pull off a kilt (I trust them to give honest opinions and not spare my feelings).

I do, however, have an issue. Not to burden Xmarks with my problems, but I was wondering if any of you had a good, solid, logical reason (not like "it feels good," but a solid reason - I appreciate and like the feel of kilts from what I've heard, but my father needs more convincing) for wearing a kilt. My father is currently opposed to my kilting, but he is willing to change his opinion if I can present a good reason to him. If anyone has one, I'd be glad to hear it, and greatly appreciative!

Also, if anyone could post helpful links on cheap (but not flimsy) kilts or material, I would be much obliged. I was thinking of the SWK Thrifty for my first kilt - good idea? Too few pleats or too light?

Again, hello to everyone to Eugene, and merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever it is you celebrate! Thanks for any help, and I hope to stick around!

EDIT: Oh, I forgot to add that I have been lurking around here for a few weeks. I finally decided to join - what harm could it cause?

[Jock Scot]

Welcome,from Inverness-shire.

[Nigel]

Thanks Jock Scot! Great to see someone from Scotland - my father lived in Scotland (was in the U.S. Navy and stationed there) for a while, and he said he only saw guards wearing kilts. I'm thinking it may have changed since the '80s.

[Robert Lamb]

Nigel
I live a wee bit north of you in Forest Grove,Or.
Welcome to the fun.
If your father has not seen you in a kilt, go to costume rental place, Rent one for a week or so and let him see you in it. I think a picture is worth a thousand words.
If you and he are sold on your kilting you are in business.
Go for it.
The first kilt I wore I rented for a week, I was sold and started purchasing my own.
I also have made three kilts.
Robert "the kilted" Lamb

[SteveB]

First - from Boston, Massachusetts.
Second: Measure very carefully, and I recommend a SWK Standard over the thrifty kilt, well worth the little bit extra that it costs. See my avatar for my SWK Standard in Irish National Tartan with necktie and flashes. With kilt belt sporran and well shined shoes, I get noticed in a positive way. Be ready to display it proudly. The wearer of a kilt is displaying a self confidence that is not found by wearing the generic style of ones peers, but is making a statement of pride and confidence in himself to be unique. This is noticed by the opposite sex. If you are just experimenting to see if the kilted lifestyle is for you, I recommend the standard over the thrifty. I own a thrifty in Black Watch Tartan. I use this as my around the house and in the neighbourhood kilt. I also have two solid colour kilts. One I made from Black denim, and a forest green from Amerikilt. I do not know if your school has a dress code that prohibits the kilt, but I highly doubt it, especially if you have any form of Celtic heritage. Be prepared to have a little bit of historical information in mind for the questions you will be asked.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Welcome, from Fairbanks, Alaska!

[fluter]

from South Carolina.

I think the SWK thrifty would be a great starter. You certainly can't beat the price.

Tell your dad that every year, thousands of men are injured while putting on their trousers: being kilted as much as possible is a safety measure! That would be funny, but unfortunately it's true: last Saturday my daughter tore the cartilage in her knee while putting on her PJ's.

[Nigel]

No dress code prohibiting or limiting clothes (apart from decency, such as lack of overly baggy clothing, which I entirely agree with - I wear leather loafers, trousers, a somewhat dressy shirt, and either a leather jacket or heavy coat - a more sophisticated look than most my age). I checked and got permission from the principal to make sure.

I am very short on money, as I can't get hired. How much would it cost to rent a kilt for a week? I also have no Celtic blood as far as I know - no way to trace my father's or mother's ancestry. I do look somewhat Scottish though.

Again, thanks for the warm welcome from everyone! It's great to be here, and I've been reading the Kilt Do's and Don'ts thread for both entertainment and advice.

[Drillagent]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia.

[Chef]

from Long Island, NY

I would also recommend the SWK standard over the thrifty, simply a better kilt.

As far as your Dad I don't think you are going to find a reason you can convince him with other than you have a right to a certain sense of personal style and comfort.