First kilt purchase

**NewKilt** · 3rd August 05, 08:51 PM

Hello All,

My name is Darrell. I am a 58-year old male who made his first kilt purchases this week. I live in Jefferson City, Missouri. What really got me interested in kilts is my medical disability. I am on short-term disability, and within the next month will be moving on to long-term disabiliy. I have a disease called diabetic peripheral neuropathy that is damaging the nerves in my sensory, motor, and autonomic nervous systems. It's quite painful, and has damaging the nerves that connect to the sweat glands. As a result, my body overheats.

If that were not enough, I have been diagnosed with multi-level degenerative disc disease. I have 7 disc hernitations, two of which are causing bilateral nerve root compression in the nerves exiting the spinal column. I have to change positions freqeuently to reduce pressure on my spine. When wearing shorts or pants, this often causes binding or down right pain in the crotch. I'm thankful that I can still walk (slowly with a single-point cane).

I've purchased kilts to help with the overheating problem, as well as the binding problem. I'll probably ease into wearing the kilts everywhere until I get confident in wearing them. I don't know what to expect as far as public reaction in mid-Missouri, and would be interested if anyone else lives in this area, who could give me some advise.

I've got some Irish ancestry. My middle name is Kennedy, selected by my mother to carry on the name, since my grandfather, John M. Kennedy, did not have any sons.

I've been getting a kilt education over the internet. From what I've ready, they are vary comfortable. From the pictures I've seen of others wearing them, I have to say they really look great.

Looking forward to participating in these forums.

Darrell

**GMan** · 3rd August 05, 09:29 PM

Darrell,

WELCOME!

It sounds as if you do deserve a kilt. They indeed are great on comfort, let alone the looks.

Looking forward to getting to know you better.

**Doc Hudson** · 3rd August 05, 11:38 PM

Welcome aboard Darrell.

I'm only nine years younger than you and diabetic as well. So your problems really hit home with me.

I think you will find kilts far more comfortable than trousers or shorts. And I doubt if you will have many negative comments even in Central Missouri.

If I can go kilted in Mississippi with nothing more than compliments or raised eyebrows, Missouri should be a cinch.

Tell us about your first kilt and what you plan for the next one.

**Dreadbelly** · 4th August 05, 04:25 AM

Be careful man! Misery, er, Missouri is the "Show Me State"! This is just asking for trouble from a kilt wearer!

Seriously, free your self up down there. I had to. You will feel tons better. And don't give a damn about what others think. Don't make your self suffer any more than you have to.

**Ugly Bear** · 4th August 05, 04:39 AM

Darrell:

Sorry for your hard luck, medical-wise. As a silver lining for your cloud, kilts ARE way-the-hell more comfortable than trousers. Even if you didn't have a condition steering you toward kilts, you would probably wonder why you didn't make the switch years ago, as most guys on this board do.

As for the possibility of ridicule or worse: I wouldn't worry. As long as you wear your kilt with dignity and keep an unambiguously masculine appearance, most people will get it. (Those who don't ... well, that's their problem, not yours.) A seasoned gentleman in a kilt can actually turn heads. You may well have just the opposite of ridicule.

**Riverkilt** · 4th August 05, 10:15 PM

You're gonna love kilts!

Ron

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 5th August 05, 06:22 AM

Hey Darrell... welcome to XMarks and the kilt education of your life! CajunScot (Todd) is from your neck-of-the-woods.

Since I'm born-and-raised right next door in Kansas, I know the "fear factor" of wearing kilts in an uneducated area... but it's really NOT that bad any more. Every time I go back, I wear mine with nothing but good responses. I try to stay with the AmeriKilts, UtiliKilts and solids. I'll only wear the tartans if the pleats are very narrow and numerous so that they're not mistaken for a Catholic school girl's skirt.

With the UtiliKilts, you'll find that the storage is quite useful. Also, the look is a little more rugged so that there's no confusion about the garment. You MAY want to take a look at Pittsburgh Kilts. Jeff will custom-make a GREAT kilt for you with any specific needs that you may have. His material selection is such that you can have a light-weight for summer, and a lined or heavy-weight for winter. It's definately worth a look.

**davedove** · 5th August 05, 06:51 AM

Welcome to Xmarks! I hope you have lots of spare money, because you're going to need it to buy all those kilts and accessories.

**Big Paul** · 5th August 05, 08:56 AM

Welcome, Darrel!
I have In-laws down in Bolivar. I will be down that way in October for a wedding..

I know about Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. My mom has it.. You have my simpathies. It's a real tough disease..

**NewKilt** · 7th August 05, 07:49 AM

I really appreciate all of your feedback. It makes me feel a lot more confident about wearing a kilt in public.

My first kilts should be arriving 8/8. I ordered 2 Sport Kilts from their boulder line. These are a little more customised that their off the rack kilts. One kilt is kaki, and the other is gun metal grey. I plan to also order 2 tartans, but have not decided which ones yet. Since I'm disabled, I have to stick with the lower cost kilts because of limited income.

We do have an Irish pub here in Jefferson City, Missouri called Patty Malones. I thought that I might make that my first time wearing in public. Maybe I could encourage them to have a "kilt night."

Thanks again for all your encouragement. This is a great forum, and I look forward to being a participant.

Darrell