A reason for kilting - as if anyone needed one -- longish

[Aussie_Don]

I'm fairly new to the kilting caper, and have mostly restricted
myself to "Folkie" type occasions, festivals, busking, etc. Though
I have been getting a bit more relaxed about "just doing stuff"
while I'm kilted. e.g. stopping at the grocery store on the way
back from a festival, stopping off at the hardware barn or a big
box store after I've been busking, or whatever.

I'm feeling good about this, though. Today was the first time that
I just put a kilt on and went off to do.... whatever.

Whatever in this case was a meeting of the Aussie System
Administrators' Guild (I'm the Victorian President).

When asked, "Why a kilt?" My response was a combination
of, "My mother was a MacGregor" and a bit of family history
including a bit about what a feisty bunch the MacGregors were.
(No offence to other clans -- I'm sure that there were a bunch
of others that I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. )

My alternate explanation was, "I spent a lot of money on this
kilt, and I decided that I should get some use from it."

Both were completely accepted. (OK, I was a bit surprised,
but I guess that I shouldn't have been. I learnt in High School
that you could "get away" with damn near anything if you
did it as if you had the right to be doing it. Stand tall, walk
as if you own the vicinity, and hey, you do own the vicinity!)

We go out for pizza after the meeting. Aside from the positive
comments from the restaurateur and the waitress, I got a "looking
good" from a female customer as I was on my way out the door.

Mind you, I thought that I was looking good, 8yd MacGregor
Reproduction kilt, House of Cheviot Lovat Green hose with
Matching flashes, a grey pin-striped fitted shirt and a grey
tweed Argyll jacket. No tie, it was informal. Black freedom
sporran. Sorry, no pics, you'll need to use your imagination
for the moment, I'll try for a picture tomorrow.

I was a little concerned about the possibility of running into a
drunken lout, but probably shouldn't have worried. The level of
confidence that I was feeling would have put most of them
off, in any case.

-Don

[frank_a]

Good for you Don. I never fail to find a place to stop in the public, usually for petrol, after a kilted event. I just act like it's perfectly normal, as it should be.

Kilt on!

Frank

[Laird_M]

As has been said numerous times on here, the positive comments far outweigh the negative and afetr a while, it just becomes natural.

[guardsman]

Well done , bet people were pleasantly surprised ,

[OC Richard]

.
Aside from the positive
comments from the restaurateur and the waitress, I got a "looking
good" from a female customer as I was on my way out the door.

Mind you, I thought that I was looking good, 8yd MacGregor
Reproduction kilt, House of Cheviot Lovat Green hose... and a grey
tweed Argyll jacket.

Congrats! Sounds like you were indeed looking good and people appreciate that.

Around here when I'm kilted (in my case meaning that I'm on my way to a piping gig, or on my way home from one) the comments are always positive (that is, when I get comments at all) but then I take pride in my kit and wear high-quality stuff, as you do.

Reproduction colours are lovely, aren't they? I've always admired them, but never had a kilt in them.

[hector]

Hi Don,


I'm rather new (kilting for one year now) and from my own experience I can say: the more you do it (coming out in public) the easier it becomes. I put on the kilt the same like I put on trousers. One day I’m in pants and if ‘I get it in my mind’ I change to the kilt. Being raised in a non kilting country such a 'switch' is easier said than done. But realy it is as simple as that. Just be self-assured.
Strange but true women tend to appreciate a man in a kilt (often they show a little approving smile). Men appear to have more difficulties with their reaction (looking at the other side). But negative comments: never (until now).
These are my experiences living in a non-kilt wearing world.


Hector

[Richrail]

I started wearing a kilt anytime I wasn't working (work restrictions) and now in the little community just north of Reno, NV I've become the kilted guy. I've gone in to a few business' with trousers and was greeted with " I didn't recognize you with pants on".

[jayhawk]

Confession time...I don't have a drop of Scottish blood (Irish American by heritage, although I've liked every Scot I've ever met), but I wear my Amerikilt in my home town frequently. I've had two women comment in the past 2 months and about 8 guys (all positive comments). It likely helps that I live in a college town.

When people ask why I'm wearing a kilt when I'm not of Scottish heritage, I just say because it's really comfortable and I've always liked the way they look.

Eric

[Hawk]

Well done Don......yes, I'll bet you looked sharp. We look forward to a few photos of your kilted attire....... ( I'll refrain from commenting on the MacGregor connection.... )

Hawk

[Highlander31]

Sounds like a well put together combination. Look forward to seeing the photo.