When the rubber meets the road

[Moose McLennan]

Congratulations!

I usually just wear my kilt at home, out walking (where a kilt is simply ideal), or going out. But if I happen to be wearing it and have to do something else, it stays on. One of my first spontaneous outings was to our local Turkish takeaway. Apart from quick double takes, nothing - and I've noticed this a lot since then. Folk glance down, glance back up. A few smile, particularly girls, which is nice. Many people, and I'm sure of this, DON'T EVEN NOTICE...
And remember I'm in Germany. Kilts are as frequent as rocking-horse poo here.

The kilt looks good, feels good, and is perfectly normal masculine attire.
Never heard of a kilt wearer who didn't enjoy wearing one and wouldn't do it again. Never.

M.

[Ugly Bear]

Well, of course people stared at you. They were all thinking, "Why's he wearing that kilt below his knees??"

Hike it up a little, and people will relax. Then your life will truly become perfect in every way.

[davedove]

Well, of course people stared at you. They were all thinking, "Why's he wearing that kilt below his knees??"

Actually, the way he's been describing his experience, they were probably thinking "Why is that guy so nervous and jumpy?"

Relax, man, relax!

It was a good first time. Just keep doing it. Walk proudly and with confidence. If you see people staring at you, smile and wave to them. They will be the ones who are embarassed.

I understand your apprehension as I'm a very reserved person myself. But it really does get easier each time you go out.

[pbpersson]

No confrontations or anything...and this was in the very blue collar Southwest Suburbs of Chicago.

SO....where were you exactly? I used to attend college in Palos Hills and I used to do my Christmas shopping at Orland Square in Orland Park. I got my first job in Tinley Park. The Southwest suburbs were my stomping ground, so to speak back in the 70's and 80's.

[pbpersson]

Well, of course people stared at you. They were all thinking, "Why's he wearing that kilt below his knees??"

Before I went out, I kept making the kilt lower and lower. I basically had it down where I wear my pants, on my hip bones and below my belly. I looked at myself in the mirror and the kilt was level - so I guess I don't have THAT big of a belly and the more I walk in my kilt the smaller it will get. The bottom of the kilt was just at the bottom of my knees so I figured it wasn't TOO low but I was happy that it wasn't at the TOP of my knees because that would just be TOO short as nervous as I am wearing this thing and thinking that I'm exposed.

[Panache]

Blu wrote:

Memorize this

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

Excellent quote from Frank Herbert! I taught the phrase "Fear is the mind-killer" to my son Sinbad. Whenever he is afraid I ask him "What is fear?" He gives that answer and 9 times ouit of 10 he begins to relax. A perfect bit of advice to one who is hesistant to go forth kilted.

Cheers

[Moose McLennan]

Before I went out, I kept making the kilt lower and lower. I basically had it down where I wear my pants, on my hip bones and below my belly. I looked at myself in the mirror and the kilt was level - so I guess I don't have THAT big of a belly and the more I walk in my kilt the smaller it will get. The bottom of the kilt was just at the bottom of my knees so I figured it wasn't TOO low but I was happy that it wasn't at the TOP of my knees because that would just be TOO short as nervous as I am wearing this thing and thinking that I'm exposed.

I prefer mine at mid-knee. I dislike drawing attention to myself too, and one thing that will help is this; be perfectly at ease with the REST of your clothes. Chunky shoes/boots and rolled down thick hose "earth" you and balance out the wide kilt. An unfussy top half, not too snug fitting (vest, jeans jacket, dark polo shirt or whatever) helps too - but never any longer than where the pleats begin. I also do without a sporran whenever I can - but you probably don't have one on your UK anyway. Keep the look clean and and simple and WALK TALL (easier for you than me at 5'6"!).

Have a good weekend!

M.

[pdcorlis]

The bottom of the kilt was just at the bottom of my knees so I figured it wasn't TOO low but I was happy that it wasn't at the TOP of my knees because that would just be TOO short as nervous as I am wearing this thing and thinking that I'm exposed.

I teach college level photography courses kilted and prefer my kilts at the top of my knees. I'm sure my students would be more than happy to point out any "overexposure" of their instructor so trust me when I say you won't be exposed unless you are standing on a ladder - or on your head. To be honest, I think they look more masculine and less skirt like there.

Now... don't take this the wrong way but we're on page six of this thread, at some point you need to decide if this is something you want to do or not.

Best of luck!

[Cawdorian]

With all of this intensive counseling you have received in the last few days, you have to be gettiing better.

Wear the kilt often, the more you wear it the easier it will become for you.

[mbhandy]

Look at it this way, you wear a swim suit and it is shorter than below the knees? Or at lease right around there and no one would say boo about that. So why worry. Not a question a statement. Just go with the flow and you will feel some what funny but think how an actor feels each time they walk out on stage, Butterflys. You get over it. I do a radio show and the first time I went live mic I was so nervous but I got over that and now when I make a mistake or mispronounce something I JUST KEEP GOING AND GOING-------
You get the idea.

MrBill