Advice/support regarding attitudes towards kilt-wearing

[Jerry]

i'm one of those here who is definitely NOT a full time kilt wearer. Until recently, I wore only at festivals and such.For one thing, I only had a couple of kilts. Now I'm soon to be up to 8, only 5 of which I even consider wearing out in public. My suggestion, if you are interested in wearing your kilt, get a Tartan kilt from Stillwater kilts.The Standard model will run you from 70 to 80 dollars and the economy will be between 40 and 45 dollars. Many people who haven't been to Celtic events don't recognize the UK as a kilt. All they know about kilts is that they are tartaned garments worn by Scotsmen. Get people used to seeing you in a tartan kilt, then bring out the UK again. Then people will probably ask about the UK and you can explain that it is a modern kilt, but sttill a man's garment just like a tartan kilt.

[davedove]

If you're really having a problem with it, why don't you try easing into it a little slower. First, like it's been suggested, try getting an inexpensive tartan kilt like Stillwater. Then try going to a few Scottish/Irish/Celtic Festivals where others will also be kilted to build up your confidence in a friendly environment. Then start wearing it on special days, like St. Patrick's Day or National Tartan Day. All of these will help build up your confidence and get others used to seeing you kilted. Then just start wearing it on other days.

There will always be some people who look at you funny, and sometimes you may get some derogatory remarks. But the only way to get used to wearing the kilt is to wear it. I think everyone here will admit that wearing the kilt is doing something outside the societal norm, so you just have to accept that. The trick is to get comfortable being outside the norm.

[Mike n NC]

Beery, everything you have mentioned to this point is coming from inside your head. Your perceptions of how people are perceiving you. Settle down, get out of your own head, carry yourself with confidence (doesn't mean staring anyone down) and get on with life... Shortly you will even forget you are wearing a kilt.

You think people stare at you like you are different...well if you want to wear a kilt you are different. Most of us are independent thinkers, non-conformists, intelligent if not well educated and for the most part, don't give a trouser about how others see us. I, and quite a few other members live in the southeast, the hotbed of American redneckism and we wear the kilt daily with few problems. In the past two years I have only experienced one truly negative encounter.

Since you are from Beantown, if all else fails tell them you are thinking of going to work as a frontman for DKM. :smile:

Mike

[Beery]

Beery, everything you have mentioned to this point is coming from inside your head.

I have to disagree with you there. My wife has noticed it, so it's not just me.

I, and quite a few other members live in the southeast, the hotbed of American redneckism and we wear the kilt daily with few problems.

I would not naturally assume that conservatives or rednecks would be less accepting of the kilt. Rednecks and conservatives often have a strong sense of their national heritage. Liberals and progressives often less so.

[Robin]

You think people stare at you like you are different...well if you want to wear a kilt you are different.

So true...it's an inevitable part of the deal!

enjoy! :mrgreen:

[Eujeankilt]

Beery, everything you have mentioned to this point is coming from inside your head. Your perceptions of how people are perceiving you. Settle down, get out of your own head, carry yourself with confidence (doesn't mean staring anyone down) and get on with life... Shortly you will even forget you are wearing a kilt.
Mike

Beery,

The other side of this is that the reactions that you see are in THEIR heads. They are reacting to what they perceive as an anomaly in their world view. Your kilt challenges their cherished pattern of how the world should be. It's not personal. Once people have seen you several times, it becomes "normal" to see you kilted. Like many have said, when you don't don the kilt, they notice and wonder why you are wearing pants.

I tended to worry about what others thought of me. One of the lesser reasons I started wearing a kilt was to deliberately put myself outside the norm and draw attention to myself. It's been good practice and I definitely have more confidence. When I notice people looking at me I tend to walk taller and carry myself with pride. This all comes from within, not from anyone else.

Wear your kilt, man. They'll get over it, and if they don't, it's their problem.


Dale

[Beery]

You think people stare at you like you are different...

I have no problem with people thinking I'm different. The problem I have is with people thinking I'm somehow horrifying, LOL.

[Robin]

They have a problem...not you ;)

[bubba]

I have no problem with people thinking I'm different. The problem I have is with people thinking I'm somehow horrifying, LOL.

There's an up side to that y'know. You won't be bombarded with stupid questions that get on your last nerve.

[dwg]

Please don't give up this below is very good advice, I have three tartan kilts and I have a lot of fun when I go out with one on !! Talk to people, say do you like the kilt, learn some history about the tartan (its name) your half way to making new freinds

KEEP GOING

Derek

Norfolk
England

i'm one of those here who is definitely NOT a full time kilt wearer. Until recently, I wore only at festivals and such.For one thing, I only had a couple of kilts. Now I'm soon to be up to 8, only 5 of which I even consider wearing out in public. My suggestion, if you are interested in wearing your kilt, get a Tartan kilt from Stillwater kilts.The Standard model will run you from 70 to 80 dollars and the economy will be between 40 and 45 dollars. Many people who haven't been to Celtic events don't recognize the UK as a kilt. All they know about kilts is that they are tartaned garments worn by Scotsmen. Get people used to seeing you in a tartan kilt, then bring out the UK again. Then people will probably ask about the UK and you can explain that it is a modern kilt, but sttill a man's garment just like a tartan kilt.