The thrill is gone---how long does the thrill of a new kilt last for you?

[ForresterModern]

The scenario: you have ordered a handsewn kilt from your favorite kiltmaker, waited patiently for word that first the fabric has arrived, then that you have reached near the top of your kiltmaker's stack, jones building, then that your kilt is actually under construction, followed by the receipt of tracking numbers when the heightened jones really begins and you start to shake and sweat, and then the glorious day when the package is found leaning against your front door looking like a lost puppy in need of a good home. You are much more calm now and patiently and lovingly carry it inside, sometimes lingering a few minutes doing some unnecessary small daily chore, just to make the jones last a little longer, then you swiftly and deftly rend open the package to find your prize like a small child with a box of cracker jacks. You hold it up in front of you, admiring yourself in the mirror, and when the time is right strip off your existing clothes and try it on for fit, giving it the once over for finish before pulling the basting stitches and really getting to know her for the first time. You wear it around the house a bit, give it a good steaming to remove any transit wringles in the aprons, then wear it proudly out in public, and post pictures here for all your friends to ooh and ahh and have envious thoughts and comments.

How long does it take for that special shiny new toy feeling to wear off, until that kilt becomes another in the closet in the queue to be worn for the appropriate occasion, the right day, with the right accessories? How long before it just becomes another one of the several or many? How do you maintain its special meaning to you, keep it fresh and furtive in your own mind? How long till the thrill is gone?

jeff

[tyger]

How long before it becomes just one of many? NEVER!

Good question Jeff. For me, the anticipation is one thing, getting it is another, and knowing that kilt is ready for wear each holds its own charm and thrill.

[Sammac]

Everytime I get one out the thrill comes back, but it is different with my first kilt. An 8-yd'r in my family tartan. It is kind of like being married, when I first saw my wife in her wedding dress and she smiled at me my heart nearly burst and I almost cried. I still feel that tug at my heart when she smiles at me, and I still feel a tug of a different type when I pull out the family tartan.

[Ancienne Alliance]

This shouldn't be a problem.

If I lost interest in a valuable I would just sell it and buy something new and exciting with the money...


Best,

Robert

[thescot]

There are few things more satisfying--physical things, that is--than donning a well-made garment and feeling the fine cloth. That goes especially for a kilt. The elation one experiences when one first dons the new kilt can never again be attainded, but I love the way it feels every time I put it on.

I have several kilts, but I like the way each of them looks and feels each time I wear it. Then I look in the mirror for the overall effect and say, "Show time." (Excuse the quote from All That Jazz.)

[Riverkilt]

Me too. Sometimes I leave a new kilt hanging out for days - just to admire it. My green leather RKilt is still out - really enjoy just gazing at it.

Once the new kilt makes the closet with the rest I still get a renewed thrill when I choose to wear it. A lot of that first day feeling comes back as I kilt up and test the pleat swing. As pointed out - a well made garment feels good every time I wear it.

If the kilt is in a tartan that has a meaningful day - that also helps restore that first received feeling. Like wearing the RAF tartan on the RAF's birthday, or saffron on St. Patrick's Day, or a military tartan for the Veteran's Day parade.

So, for me, the feeling of newness does pass - but its oft resurrected later.

[piperdbh]

For those of us with few kilts who are not frequent wearers, I'd say the thrill lasts longer than for those who have several who wear them often.

[NewEnglander]

Sometimes I leave a new kilt hanging out for days - just to admire it.

For those of us with few kilts who are not frequent wearers, I'd say the thrill lasts longer than for those who have several who wear them often.

I only have three kilts, but I leave them hanging out where I can see them and I have to say that in the year since I've started wearing them I still get a very pleased feeling when I see those pleats.
That being said, I'm anxiously counting down the weeks until the new kilt arrives from USAK...and then I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I start plotting the arrival of the next.

[McClef]

Maybe it depends on the number of kilts but a new kilt is always a thrill and being spoilt for choice in what to wear carries its own thrill too.

[CMcG]

So far, I find the thrill increases with each wearing!

It seems that kilts, like most clothing, mold to the wearers body a bit over time and becomes even more comfortable. This is more than just being a tailored garment; the fabric takes on some subtle bumps and lumps that a tape measure can't account for.

I prefer to save my kilts for special occasions and so I get extra giddy when the time comes to wear it again. Also, the longer I own a kilt, the more field tested outfits I know I can put together with it. I feel better every time I wear it.

And it's really hard to walk around with my head craned around back checking out the swish and swing of a brand new kilt