First Kilt Experience

[Pat Stephens]

Hello everyone,

Through a bit of a life-long misadventure, I was unaware of my Celtic background until around a year ago as my family had argued about being either Irish or German. With my being a scientists, I elected to get my DNA tested and found out that my mother's side was indeed Irish. I found this of interest as Irish food, music, and dance has always been one of my favorites thus I am very happy to have it as my heritage!

My wife has also found my journey interesting and has definitely been encouraging. However, the one aspect I have not been so sure about was wearing a kilt so I read all the history I could on it and can see five reasons why an Irishman might elect to do so (contested history, part of a pipe band, military, connection to Celtic heritage, or just because a person wants to). I did elect to get one formal saffron kilt and a utilikilt, but for the latter I must admit that I was (am?) a little hesitant. As it happened, my wife and I went to a professional ice hockey game of which I own one jersey to that team that happens to be their Irish version. Due to this my wife thought it would be a great idea to wear my utilikilt with it, thus I did but I must admit that it was a little tough as I have always been someone to not draw attention to themself. Overall, though, I did get some interesting looks, one kind smile from a woman, a surprised guy as I walked out of the men's restroom at the rink, and one possibly rude girl at a shopping center. I must admit, though, that women continue to prove they know what they are doing as even though the utilikilt is black, and this was in the Florida heat, I was nice and cool (it was quite breezy down there! ).

Looking back on the experience it was definitely an interesting one however I do admit that I am still a little self-conscious about being in public with the utilikilt on. Yet having spent so many years making a point not to stand out or be "that person", maybe wearing the daily kilt is a good thing for me.

At any rate, I thought I would share my first full kilt experience.

[tpa]

Well done and a warm Scottish welcome from middle England. I have also made it a practice of not trying to draw attention to myself all my life and even though I now wear a kilt daily, few people seem to take any notice or if they do I don't notice!

[Cavalry Scout]

Thanks for sharing your story and welcome to the kilted world! Utilikilts makes kilts in other colors besides black. I have one of their green kilts and it's a brilliant piece of kit.

Cheers, Mark

[Richrail]

from Reno, NV.

[Tarheel]

Well met Pat. Great story of a first experience kilted. It is more normal than you think to get the mixed public reactions. Glad you've joined us and hope you'll post more of your adventures.

[Marine2141]

Grats on taking the plunge in going out while kilted! I wear my utility kilt while out doing errands quite often. I have two tartan kilts that I wear regularly as well as my utility kilt. The pockets on the utility kilt makes it more practical for doing errands.

[Kiltedjohn]

Welcome from a Scotsman living in the English midlands, where there are not many kilted people about.

[JohntheBiker]

You'll get used to it. By the way, positive attention from women is not a bad thing.

[Pat Stephens]

Hello all!

I am sorry to just now reply, yet my college is in finals thus things have definitely been busy!

I wanted to thank everyone for both the warm welcome and the kind encouragement. I hope that my white hair does not make a black kilt all the more interesting! I do agree with trying other colors, and was considering getting one of the olive or saffron kilts from Amerikilt (http://www.amerikilt.com/shop/amerikilts/saffron/).

As for my kilted hockey experience, I am not sure if my picture worked in my first post so I thought I would try again. I hope you enjoy it!

Now about that Celtic tattoo...

[WillowEstate]

Hello everyone,

Looking back on the experience it was definitely an interesting one however I do admit that I am still a little self-conscious about being in public with the utilikilt on. Yet having spent so many years making a point not to stand out or be "that person", maybe wearing the daily kilt is a good thing for me.

Well done .Pat. easier each time you venture out. Just remember people who matter don't mind and people that mind don't matter!