Wearing a kilt out and about

[Andrews Son]

Hi everyone,
A friend of mine came round the other night and i was kilted and at the end of the night i walked up the street with him and its the second time i was out locally. Most of my friends know i wear the kilt but neighbours dont. And two nights ago i had to go to my auntie and uncles to order christmas presents and i went in a kilt and it went down really well. It was the first time my auntie and uncle saw me wearing the kilt but not the last. My question is when was the first time you went out in a kilt. (i mean not to a wedding or funeral or where its expected to wear a kilt.) And im asking for a little advice to having the confidence to wearing a kilt to go to the shop, for example. But im sure that trip to the shop will bee better in a kilt as compared to trousers. And how do you deal with all the people staring and the remark of people saying "your english you shouldnt be in a kilt?"
which i get a lot from workmates.
Look forward to hearing your 2 cents.
Gavin

[McMurdo]

The first time I wore my kilt out just to wear it a neighbour of mine said something like "Why are you wearing a skirt?" Of course this man was also walking a cat on a leash. I ignored him and continued on my way. The only thing I can as to getting the confidence to do it is to simply believe that you have every right in the world to wear it. Then go out and wear the kilt when you want to. After a while it becomes second nature. You know the positive comments do outweigh the negative and you will end up having conversations you never would have otherwise had.

[Laird_M]

My first, non-event kilt wearing was due to sun burn - yes, even in Scotland you can get BAD sun burn, so was wearing it for comfort.
I only got positive remarks, and quite a few questions about the tartan. Having worn a sarong, I thought nothing of it, and it wasn't until a friend remarked on the fact he'd seen me and asked didn't I feel self consious that I even considered it.
If you feel confident to wear it, forget the idiots who make 'hilarious' remarks and ask dumb questions ("don't you feel a prat wearing a skirt?" they may just be jealous or too insecure to try it themselves, and just take pride in the fact that you CAN wear it, with panache and style. Its your kilt, you bought it to wear it, so do so. End of story.

[Andrews Son]

I only got positive remarks, and quite a few questions about the tartan.
.

Thats good to hear, my family are a positive, most of my friends havent seen me in a kilt. But ive been asked a bout the tartan a few times.

forget the idiots who make 'hilarious' remarks and ask dumb questions ("don't you feel a prat wearing a skirt?".

My workmates were very vocal about it, it doesnt put me off but im tired arguing with them.

they may just be jealous

I think that is the case. Its a great garment its got a website or two of followers of the kilt. can you believe that.

[Kiltedjohn]

I've been out and about kilted a number of times in the English West Midlands. For the most part, there is remarkably little reaction. I have had a number of very positive comments, and only a very few negatives. As has been said, you gain confidence the more you wear it!

[Jack Daw]

The first time I wore the kilt to a non-kilt-wearing event was AFTER a kilt-wearing event in which my car broke down. The tow truck came by, picked up my car, and provided me a ride to the repair shop. In making conversation with the Hispanic driver, I explained that I was wearing a kilt and not a skirt. The driver immediately put me at ease by telling me that his brother was a frequent wearer of the kilt and that he was more than used to it.

[Andrews Son]

I've been out and about kilted a number of times in the English West Midlands. For the most part, there is remarkably little reaction. I have had a number of very positive comments, and only a very few negatives. As has been said, you gain confidence the more you wear it!

I guess the positives far outweigh the negatives. if im ever near wolverhampton one day ill wear a kilt and have a pint with you if you would like that.

[thescot]

My first outing was to a local pub. It caused only a minor stir, mostly from females telling me how good I looked. I made it a point to look everyone in the eye and smile, especially the guys. (A couple of guys told me in private that they wished they had to guts to wear one.)

You should know that most people like to see a man in a kilt, and nearly all women do. So I think the key is to appear confident, look everyone in the eye, and laugh off any jokes or smart comments. Having a come-back doesn't hurt either. But definitely avoid any rudeness, and never--EVER--let 'em see you sweat!

There are very few places I won't wear a kilt these days. And there are no comments that make me angry or embarrassed. It's partly knowing that the girls love it that adds confidence! Ha.

[Liam]

My first time - April, 1977 - in Aboyne

[DyerStraits]

I first wore a kilt to the opera--Charlie jacket, fly plaid, the whole nine yards (Actually I changed at the office first, then took the train into the City (Chicago). Nothing but warm compliments and admiring smiles, approving glances and flirty chat-ups from the ladies the entire evening, more than I'd collectively ever received before.

And I've never looked back. I wear kilts on a very regular basis--for concerts, dining out, holiday events, at the office (every week for Casual Friday), tinkering on my bicycles in my workshop in the basement, walking the dog, knocking about and running errands on the weekends, playing golf, Down At The Pub, etc. Dress Up, Dress Down, and everywhere in between--I can and will Kilt Up for it (I now own about eight kilts and four or five kilt jackets, and a bazillion sporrans). Yes, you will get sarcastic/thoughtless/frighteningly ethnocentric/ignorant and just plain stupid questions, comments and remarks, but you will also get far, far more of the aforementioned warm compliments, admiring smiles, approving glances and flirty chat-ups. Wearing a kilt regularly is a challenge in terms of complimentary garments (especially shoes and jackets) and accessories, but it's a fun and not insurmountable one. Wear it properly, wear it like you mean it, wear it with the confidence and swagger that only a kilt bestows, and you'll be just fine. A Man In A Kilt Is A Man And A Half. Slainte!