A footwear challenge...

[new2kilts]

I'm new to this whole kilt deal. Though my family emigrated from Scotland in the early 1800's nobody "here" gave two hoots about traditions. I've been interested in kilts for pretty much all of my life and finally screwed up the courage to try one. My question is regarding a specific challenge with socks and shoes. Skiing ruined my knees so I wear knee braces most of the time. They look pretty crappy with std kilt hose. I'm experimenting with a pair of overknee flat soled boots to hide the braces, but from what I can find there is NO precedent for such an arrangement. I'm not ready to venture out in public kilted yet as I don't know if my neighbors could handle it. Anyhow, the boots do the trick for covering the braces but I don't know if I'm committing the ultimate in Kilt defamation by exposing the world to this Kilt fashion experiment....

[GG]

Hello New2Kilts and welcome here.

Pretty difficult to answer your questions, not knowing how your knee braces look like. As far as I know there are different types, some of them letting pretty much of the knee to be seen, whereas others are totally covering it.

The more visible knee the less of a problem, of course. But even if totally covered, kilt hose might, after all, be the best solution, as it would be in accordance with wearing your kilt the traditional way.

I am not Scottish myself, and I’m not much of a traditionalist. Therefore I – personally – should not object too much to long boots, should you, in your case, prefer that solution. And I suppose that everyone should understand.

Now, your family came to USA two hundred years ago, and “nobody "here" gave two hoots about traditions”, as you say. That’s a pretty long time without your ancestors paying attention to their Scottish heritage, if I understand you correctly?

Therefore my question, just to clarify, do you think you NEED to wear a (tartan) kilt the traditional way, after all? You might also go for a utility kilt? And with such one I see no conflict with flat heeled over-the-knee boots, at all.
This kind of kilt you might also have a little bit longer, covering your knees - as they seem to concern YOU. The major problem with this type of kilt might be that it is more difficult to explain to surroundings than is a tartan kilt – connected to a Scottish heritage.

A possibility would be Freedom Kilts, made by the owner of this Forum, Steve Ashton.

Your neighbors? I shouldn’t pay too much attention to them. They’ll get accustomed to see you in a kilt, whatever your choice. It is your life. Not theirs.

Still that’s how I see it. You’ll probably get much good advice from other members here. After all I’m a foreigner and not part of the American society as are most of them.

[Geoff Withnell]

new2kilts,
First, let me welcome you to XMarks!

Second, while not traditional, overknee boots are not unheard of with kilts at renfairs and such. Believe me, compared to some things we have seen, it will be nowhere near "the ultimate in Kilt defamation". Try a few things. Take a few pics and post them. I guaranteed that some of our diehard traditionalists won't like them. However, we pride ourselves on being a civilized rabble, and we will do our best to give you some sound advice. Kilts are an extremely adaptable garment. I'm sure a solution exists.

Again, Welcome!

[KenB]

Look to the pic in the forum header - knee brace is visible. Sometimes when we try to cover-up something, we only serve to highlight it. Everyone has seen knee braces, casts, etc. and we know why they are used. For me it is no big deal.

[sailortats]

Welcome New2kilts to a great forum. You will get plenty of advice here believe me. And let me be one of the first to offer it. I would not concern myself with the knee braces showing when wearing a traditional kilt with traditional kilt hose. They are certainly nothing to be ashamed of, they are a medical necessity and as such do not need to be hidden.
As an example, I have a somewhat similar situation. I have a lot of tattoos including spider webs on my knees. These, of course, show whenever I am wearing a kilt. At first it was a concern of mine but I have found that nobody seems to notice or care. They certainly don't freak out when I am kilted, I still get plenty of nice compliments.
This pic will show you what I mean.

I am positive the responses would be the same if you go out kilted with your braces showing. Just forget your wearing them and go out and enjoy the compliments you get.

[creagdhubh]

Welcome aboard, mate!

Cheers,

[McMurdo]

I'm going to agree with Sailortats here, you need the braces, therefore wear them. Why should you not wear your kilt because of a brace that you need to wear. I think you should go for it, believe me when I first started wearing the kilt it was a concern what others including my neighbours thought, but that feeling soon left as I was wearing what I wanted to for my own reasons and anyway I never told them how to dress. I also think you should get some photos Im sure its not as bad as you think.

[ratspike]

If you're not planning on wearing a kilt in a traditional manner then don't sweat your footwear. Nothing wrong with the tall boots at all, and if it'll help you feel less self conscious of your braces then it's a huge win. My guess is that as you get more comfortable wearing a kilt you'll find it easier to explore different options for shoes and socks. Sailortats is on the money. Nobody will be bothered about your braces because they'll be busy appreciating your kilt.

[JohntheBiker]

Welcome. This is a good place to come for thoughtful advice on your concern. Personally, I tend to agree with KenB on this.

[artificer]

If you've ever been to a Highland Games you'd see plenty of the Heavy throwers with knee braces/supports.

I doubt you'd hear a word about yours if you wore normal kilt hose & shoes- but wear what makes you most comfortable.

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