Sitting...

[Jewddha]

yes, becoming seated whilst reatining modesty. I've got a brand new FK, and no sporran. Cana nyone dorp any helpful hints as to sitting, kneeling, squatting, any of these common actions and retain decency?!?! (I want to take the kilt to school... But I figure flashing a class, when I'm already on shakey ground isn't the best idea)

[MDR-V300]

Two main concerns when sitting: maintain decency and don't wrinkle the pleats.

Here's the drill that will soon become instinctual to you:
-as you're on your way down, do the under-butt swoop [keeping the pleats in line].
-spread your legs wide-ish, and then return them to a less splayed state [creating a natural droop in your front apron, which is often enough for decency by itself]
-while you're doing the above, you will want to gently press, or lightly 'chop' the apron in between your legs [to ensure that it drops sufficiently].

It also helps to 'scoot the boot' as Steve says in order to help maintain pleat integrity, and always ALWAYS be aware of anyone with a lower vantage point than yourself. If you're on a raised platform relative to anywhere else, or there are kids, midgets, or people sitting on the floor around, you'll want to keep extra close watch on the droop of your front apron.

In school, the only one facing you would be your teacher, and he/she would be standing or sitting at least at your height, so no extra worries for you there.

For a crouch, you'll want the same push/chop, and keep an eye on your front apron! You'll be paranoid for a while, but eventually you'll not even think about any of this.

What you really need to watch out for are weird air-pressure scenarios.
-standing near an obstacle [wall, car, etc.] on a windy day. Better to be out in the open.
-dust devils, or other unpredictable weather happenings.
-floor mounted vents [GREAT if they're air-conditioning vents on a hot summer day!]
-street gratings/sewer openings where warm air will rise
-any crosswinds [at intersections, edges of buildings, etc.]

It sounds like a lot, but it's really not something to worry about. It'll all come naturally. You'll feel the kilt start to rise and you can casually place your hands there to halt it without looking panicked most of the time. Once or twice, it might just be fated to fly up, and you must keep a good sense of humour about it, since your reaction will be a guideline for those around who may have witnessed it. If you act like it's slightly amusing, but no big deal, then so should they. If you act mortified, you will be mocked. Same with anything in life. Homo homini lupus, as they say.

Anyway, I'll bet that even with all of this rambling, I still missed something. It'll be added to soon enough.

[Yaish]

I personally dont like the "sweep and sit" method as it looks girly no matter what.

I've just learned to incorporate the natural movements when you sit into a bit of a swing one way, when you sit the other way. It naturally sweeps the pleats under you as you sit, and as you slide back into the seat everything settles nicely.

You'll still have to manage the drop of the front apron though, as was already posted.

[MDR-V300]

Bah! double posted! Better put something else in now

Once you master sitting on a bar stool, as... Cyndi? said, you'll be a master kilt-wearer.

[philibeg]

My advice is to get a sporran pronto!! Not only as insurance against the unexpected gust of wind, but also to save yourself when kilt-lifters are afoot.....

[beerbecue]

Uh, flashing a class?? Are you referring to fellow students or students IN your class. If its your classroom, doesn't your desk have a modesty screen? You know, a solid front?? I kind of think that is why desks have those - to prevent 'between the knee' peeks.....

If its flashing other students - maybe you want to flash certain classmates j/k

Until you get that sporran, keep your knees together and pivot on the balls of your feet while sweeping the pleats and lowering yourself into your chair - just watch women who are wearing short skirts do it.....

And as far as looking girly - if you ever watch 'Tunes of Glory' - every single person that is wearing the kilt does the pleat sweep as they sit - you can always tuck/push the apron down in the center after you sit

Its not the action that is girly, but how you execute it!!! :P

[Gary]

A chair in front of a full length mirror will allow you to try sitting in various ways and let you see the view others might see.

[Jewddha]

Thanks all, especially MDR, it's all a great help.

Oh, and Beerbecue, high school, so no lecture halls, so no privacy in front of seats, and a lot of my teachers split the class into two halves facing each other, easily would lead to 'immodesty' towards the other half.

[dano9672]

Can anyone dorp any helpful hints as to sitting,

Check for splinters on the chair or bench first.

[Jewddha]

Can anyone dorp any helpful hints as to sitting,

Check for splinters on the chair or bench first.

>_< now that is an uncomfortable image.