Welcome to the board. It's been a while since I posted my first time story and most of these people have seen it. Since it sounds like you need encouragement, let me share once again.

This is primarily directed at those who are perhaps a little timid about wearing their kilt for the first in public. I also acknowledge that as I live near Seattle, I may live in a more cosmopolitan area than some of you folks out there.

My new kilt is a traditional 8 yard 13 oz. garment made by Gaelic Themes in Glasgow. The tartan is unofficial US Navy tartan also known as Edzell.

I had to determine if I wanted to break in wearing my new kilt gradually or just go for it. In considering my choices, it really came down to
1. I may have made a big mistake or
2. I am going to love it and if someone else doesn’t like it; it’s not my problem.
I am 5’9’’, a little over 12 stone (170 lb), balding (that’s putting it kindly), and in my late 40’s. Hardly an Adonis or very intimidating but I have a great personality!

Took my girlfriend to her hairdresser appointment in Queen Anne. Her beautician asked if it was a Utilikilt. When I explained what is was, she said that she liked it. I really didn’t have too many worries about wearing a kilt around Queen Anne; it’s a neighbourhood that likes to think of itself as oh-so-sophisticated. To kill time I walked across the street for coffee. On the way I noticed quite a few passing drivers taking a good look. In the coffee shop quite a few people trying not to appear that they were looking. The children didn’t even notice (either that or they were exceptionally well behaved). Since the place was crowded, I decided to have my coffee to go and walk the 5 blocks to the main shopping area. As I walked out, I looked back and saw the young lady at the pastry counter smiling and checking me out. I smiled back and her smile broadened and she waved.

On my walk I met up with about 12 to 14 people, mostly couples. Most pretended not to notice (perhaps they didn’t) and a few just smiled. I checked out some of the restaurants and stopped in some of the shops. In most cases there was no apparent reaction though I did find that the sales people seemed more attentive. I’ve done this walk before wearing trousers and therefore was able to judge the change in service. It was interesting to note the number of double takes in this area as I was walking about. One young lady in a red sports car did honk and wave. As I was walking by one restaurant, it was obvious that one man had told his lady companion to turn and take a look at the guy in the kilt. He was laughing and she just smiled. At least it gave them something to talk about while they were wolfing down their undersized servings of cheesecake and sipping overpriced coffee for dessert.

Walked back to rescue my girlfriend from the beauty shop. We then decided that a trip to mall was in order. We went to a mall that was closer to home, about 15 miles from Seattle. This mall is frequented by more of a mix of blue collar and white collar households. Again, quite a few people trying not to look and some very attentive sales people. I have been to this mall quite a number of times and I have never received better service. What my girlfriend noticed was that many of the female sales people were ‘checking me out’ sometimes as we were leaving, sometimes while we were in the store.

All in all, it was quite an ego boost. I have always been an observer of people so I especially enjoyed watching peoples’ reactions. For those that laughed, at least I managed to brighten their day.

Since then I have nothing but positive responses to my kilt. I think that when poeple see a guy in a kilt, they figure that this guy is friendly and open to conversation. I've noticed that service in resturants goes up a notch or two when I wear my kilt.

In closing all I can say is enjoy.