No pithy subject, just a comment and question

[Eujeankilt]

Whew, where to begin? Before this summer, I knew nothing about kilts. After getting my first UK in July, I searched the net for kilt info. It took me a month or so to come here, but it's been a treasure trove. I've always had an affinity for things Scottish, so kilts just seem a natural.

Like many have already said, I've learned about kilts and accessories and all about Scottish culture and history. And like Graham said, I've learned more self-confidence. And like Ranald and philbo, I've gotten to know more people who wear kilts and our similarities and differences. The kilt ties us all together.

Thanks Glen for a great question. Happy Holidays all.

Dale

[Valencian Kilted]

It's difficult to say, but I would point out that now I know why those kilts I saw in Glasgow were soooo expensive at first sight. I couldn't understand why a piece of clothing would be so overpriced to my eyes. Now I know it and understand it. It's a passion. It's the rolls royce of clothing, to my eyes!, and everybody knows why a RR is so expensive!

Anyway, the best think I learned here was that what really matters is not the kilt, it doesn't matter if it's knive or box pleated, to the sett or to the line, with 13 or 23 oz. of wool or pv,... the really important of a kilt is the wearer. A kilt itself is not much more than a piece of clothing, but linked with the wearer,... whoa! there's the power that we all look for!. And there's the power that everybody must see on us!

The best I've discovered here is that we are all a powerful big clan, guys!

¡Salud! and "Bon Nadal"-"Feliz Navidad"-Merry Xmas.- Joyeux Noël- Buon Natale....!!!!

T O N O

[Bob C]

I had done a lot of reading and studying before buying my kilt and formal outfit a couple years ago, so I won't say I've learned a lot about kilt-wearing here.

I do wear my kilt a bit more, because I met Brian and Padraig here, and now join them for Kilt Night at McGirk's Irish Pub in Chenango Bridge, NY. :grin:

The real value of this place, for me, is the great links to places to buy kilt accessories. I've bought a few things online after finding out about them here.

Since few people I know in real life "get" kilt-wearing, it's nice to hang here, where EVERYBODY gets it.

[bikercelt1]

I started wearing a Kilt a while before I discovered this site. I became dedicated to wearing a Kilt more out of obstinancy than anything else. But then I discovered "Xmarks" and I learned that I was part of a community whether I knew it or not. I've met some of the members of this community in person, but I feel a sense of "fraternity" with all of you whether we've met in person or even if you just found us recently. I've learned a lot about people and how even if we don't have anything else except our passion for a certain style of dress we can have a civil exchange.

(I've also learned that sometimes people with much in common will argue for some unexplained reason but that we have fabulous moderators who will make the hard choices to prevent this from becoming the "flame war" so common on other web sites. Thanks guys!)

Happy Holidays, and thanks Glen, for reminding me to take stock.

Jamie

[GlassMan]

First off Merry Christmas.

Now to the question at hand. When I first joined this board I was already wearing kilts every day and thrown out all my pants, so there's just no way I could have increased my kilt wearing without actually sleeping in one.

But this board has increased my knowledge greatly. I've learned a lot about kilt making (which has increased my respect for those talented individuals who do make kilts) and even more out the history of kilts, individual tartans, Celtic history, and of course much needed fashion tips from Ham.

I've also been happy to see the surprising diversity among kilt wearers and the numbers of them in my area. I hope to one day meet many of the other kilted guys around here.

I'm also happy to find a place where I can ask a question and be certain to get many different incredibly well thought out answers. The depth of knowledge here is amazing.

[millar]

I was interested in wearing a kilt and came upon the website. Reading about all the experiences people had sold me on the idea. Discovering so many incredibly talented and people in one place was pure icing on the cake. I thought I had a decent knowledge of history but I have since discovered my knowledge was suferficial at best. Thanks to all and best wishes for the New Year.
Jim

[A Dhuglas]

I'm thankful for all the unique characters who are the XMarks community. So many different perspectives and global coverage to boot!

It took 40 years and a friend's wedding for me to don a kilt. I was hooked at the first fitting. And then I found XMarks and my education (and wardrobe) took off.

Every day there's something new here to learn about, explore and experience. From highland games to tracking down "Enter the Haggis," this group opened me to things celtic. I feel I'm finally entering into my heritage -- that's a feeling tinged with regret at never having known my grandfather, hearing his story and learning about family in Scotland. He passed when I was two or so.

Guess hearing about everyone else's experiences and the encouragement offered helped my self-confidence too. (My wife suspects that XMarks might be a bad influence ) I'll not only appear at the office kilted, I'll take on my company's upper-management while kilted too! That has to be my Douglas genes at work: all mellow and easy-going until the authorities start mucking around...then it's Claymores and sharpened staghorns...

It's been an interesting year so far. I can only wonder what 2006 has in store!

Here's wishing us all more good than bad in the New Year!

[Sherry]

I'm thankful for all the unique characters who are the XMarks community. So many different perspectives and global coverage to boot!

...

Characters?! Here? You're joking, right? ;)

I discovered a great group of people--but I'm not surprised!

[Macman]

I'd been wearing a kilt traditionally several times a year for over 30 years before I found X-Marks through Steve at Freedom Kilts. This site has opened my attitude towards kilt-wearing, and I've gotten rid of a lot of old prejudices about how kilts "should" be worn, what they should be made of, etc. Now I've wear my kilts out and about quite a lot, and in a far greater variety of ways, and it's because of the encouragement and the examples of the people on this site. I can say that all of you at X-Marks have had a huge impact on my kilt-wearing. Thank you!

[Nick]

The more you know, the more you know you don't know.

I've learned a lot about the kilt and kilt wearing since I joined, and a lot about a LOT of different things. And since I'm not going to stop watching XMarks, I know I'm going to keep learning!

Felix dies Nativitatis
Nick