Although I have worn my kilt(s) to many a Celtic festival, and a few kilt nights, I had not yet taken the plunge beyond wearing my UK, Traditional or USAK beyond ‘safe’ venues. Until this weekend that is….

My wife and I decided to go to the Philadelphia Tattoo convention (think ink, not military bands) this weekend and I casually mentioned that maybe it was high time I wore my kilt beyond a Celtic themed event. I wouldn’t call it a mistake per say to mention this, as like many others, I had not yet reached a level of comfort (in my mind) that would allow me to go outside of my perception of a safe and kilt friendly environment. However, the wife immediately, and to my surprise, chimed in that I would look so ‘cool’ in my UK and boots at a tattoo convention, and the last thing out of place would be a guy in a kilt!

Well all went well leading up to the event, until my wife mentioned that we should take the train into Philly to save the hassle of parking, have lunch at the Reading Terminal Market and then head over to the convention center for the rest of the day. I didn’t let on when I said ‘sure thing hun’, but I had more butterflies than I ever had in any other adventure I ever undertook. Just to put things in perspective, I have been in combat, I have a pilots license, am a certified deep water wreck diver, a certified rescue diver, former fireman and have jumped out of perfectly good planes for no good reason amongst other equally stupid adventures … and wearing a kilt in public was giving me butterflies!?

Anyhow, long story short it was mostly a non-event. But, it was also one of the most exhilarating experiences I ever had! I received no comments at all from the train ride on through lunch. A few double takes sure, a whisper or two behind me, yep, but other than that … nothing!

Then at the tattoo convention while I was waiting in line I had a young woman turn around and in a loud shrieking voice yell, “Your kilt is soooo cool, I love it! You look soooo hot!” Well, you can imagine that I now had a bit more confidence than I ever had prior to this occasion.

During the next six hours in the convention hall I was stopped by a number of men and women who asked to take my picture, or where they could get one, etc. I seemed to be the only guy kilted there (several mini-kilts on young and innocent girls) and received no negative comments at all. I did have one guy shout to me “Are you regimental?”, but that was it. My wife even got a discount from an artist who though that we were a ‘progressive’ couple and set a fine example of individuality in a sea of attention junkies.

After the first hour or so I completely forgot I had a kilt on. I now know what everyone is taking about. It becomes a non-issue. You just become yourself. And believe me, there was a lot more to stare at there than a guy in a UK at this convention :-)

In the end I had a great time and came away from it all with a new found sense of confidence and attitude. The best part was that on the train ride home my wife was informing me of all the women who were following me or doing the double take with a wide smile and nudging the boyfriend / husbands arm and asking them if THEY should have the guts to wear a kilt.

In the end, I do admit that it was also a very comfortable day wearing a kilt. We were in a hot city, in a convention center with LOTS of people, and I felt great. After the initial fear of rejection and humiliation were put in check, the kilt turned out to be a great asset (we also got a free cab ride cause of the kilt). Also found out that the wife likes the look as well (she was for the most part indifferent prior to this event) and wants me to get a solid black as my next kilt.

Ahhhh … happy at last!

Brian Mackay