Any suggestions for wearing a kilt in public for the first time?

**KiltedMan** · 24th June 16, 06:41 PM

I just bought a couple of Stumptown Kilts yesterday during a trip to Portland, OR. I also happen to be a new bagpiper so I have an "excuse" to wear a kilt while I'm practicing. However, I don't believe I've ever seen anyone wear a kilt in New Jersey except in parades. (BTW, I recently moved across the country so I'm not familiar with the are all). I'm wondering if there are any places in NJ that might be a good place to wear a kilt for the first time. I've been told that in Portland, no one would think anything about it. I'm not sure that's the case in NJ. Thanks.

**ratspike** · 24th June 16, 07:53 PM

I love Portland but it's not as weird as it likes to think. A guy in a kilt isn't the strangest thing one would see here, especially this weekend with the World Naked Bike Ride happening, but I get my share of side eye and giggles and finger pointing just like you would anywhere else. Our indigenous hipsters seem particularly unfriendly towards kilts.

Anyway, IMO the best approach to going out in a kilt for the first time is to just go do it. Don't worry about finding the right time and place, but instead jump right in with both feet. If it feels a little awkward don't be alarmed, it's completely normal. After you've worn it out a few times it'll start feeling as natural as wearing anything else.

**Spartan Tartan** · 25th June 16, 03:07 AM

Remember, the pleats go to the rear

**craigclan** · 25th June 16, 06:19 AM

Any where is a good place to wear a kilt . Just go out and wear it

**Burke** · 25th June 16, 07:30 AM

Just do it. I'll be kilted at the Manayunk Arts Festival today. There won't be more than two or three thousand people noticing my kilt...lol. I'll check back with how many "nice kilt" I get.

**Tarheel** · 25th June 16, 08:41 AM

My first kilting in public was a grocery store. There were maybe 100 people there. Looks but no comments from that outing.
The next outing was a home football game. I probably had 20,000 people pass by. There were too many nods, smiles and a few "nice kilt" comments. I continued to wear my kilts pre-game for two years.

You never know how others will respond until you get out there.

**Father Bill** · 25th June 16, 08:54 AM

Getting started takes balls. Just don't show them to anybody.

**KiltedMan** · 25th June 16, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by ratspike

Anyway, IMO the best approach to going out in a kilt for the first time is to just go do it. Don't worry about finding the right time and place, but instead jump right in with both feet. If it feels a little awkward don't be alarmed, it's completely normal. After you've worn it out a few times it'll start feeling as natural as wearing anything else.

I'm going to just have to do it...Slept in late (jet lag) and picked up the cat and didn't want to put it on for that. Thinking about washing my car - perhaps, I'll give that as a my first attempt to wear it in a public space. Another question is whether it should be commando or not-commando.

**KiltedMan** · 25th June 16, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

Remember, the pleats go to the rear

Glad you pointed that out!

**KiltedMan** · 25th June 16, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by craigclan

Any where is a good place to wear a kilt . Just go out and wear it

I'm going to take the plunge this afternoon - I need to wash my car and go buy a shirt for something I'm going to tonight. A bit nervous about that but I'm going to give it a shot.