Hey everyone! I have a "philosophical" question for all of you. I got interested in things Scottish because my family was of Scottish ancestry, and I first purchased a kilt when I was seventeen. Though I wore it casually from time to time, I mostly wore it to Scottish Festivals or other such events, and rarely out to an non-Celtic event. In fact, the only reason I would wear it outside of such an event was merely to get a rise out of people or just to be different, and for no reason more noble than that. E.g., I would wear it to the mall just to get a reaction from people, and not necessarily in the interest of gaining acceptance for the casual wearing of the kilt or for educational purposes. Moving on, I began the pipes at eighteen after searching for a year for a teacher. Now, I am the Director of a pipe band, as if you all didn't know by now, and I have for many years come to view the kilt (I realize this may be a heretical statement, but bear with me) merely as a part of our uniform. Though I enjoy performing, the first thing I want to do after an event is get out of the kilt and into something more comfortable. I usually prefer to avoid the discomfort I feel wearing it about, getting the stares and having to explain to everyone what it is I am doing wearing a kilt. Sadly, most of the culture around here thinks the same, piper or not, and kilts only emerge from the moth balls when there is some sort of local event to attend.

Now, after joining this forum, I have been considering the possiblity of wearing my kilt again casually, and I was wondering, what motivates the rest of you kiltophiles to wear your kilt? Do you wear it in the interests of education, or to get the attention, be it positive or negative, or just because it is comfortable? And does anyone else just want to be alone when you wear it (as unrealistic as this is)? And, while you are at it, can anyone recommend where to get a good inexpensive pair of black kilt stockings? ;-) Seriously.

And mind you, it is not necessarily that I plan on basing my choice to begin wearing the kilt casually again on the concensus of this group. It's just that in making this decision that I asked myself why I would wish to begin wearing my kilt casually again and wondered what the reasons were for everyone else who does. Anyway, thanks everyone! Looking forward to your responses!!! Cheers! -- Ryan