How find the guts to go kilted in a conservative community?

[Riverkilt]

Welcome,

Don't think your town can be any more "conservative" than mine...it works, many positive comments.

Stand tall.

Ron

[highlander_Daz]

To wear the kilt is something thats "different" and some people may be suprised to see it being worn, dont mistake suprise for disapproval, becasue its different some people may comment and say things you may percieve as being insults whereas they may just be showing a friendly interest. some uninformed people may think its a skirt and call it that, its up to you to politely put them right, be nice smile and have some cute comebacks ready

"hey dude why you wearing a skirt??" - "with legs like mine its a crime not to".

"what the hells that??" - "its called a kilt ,its what guys sometimes wear in Scotland, I think theyre pretty cool and i thought id try one !"

"hey man your not Scottish whats with the scottish skirt??" -- "Im not from texas but I still wear jeans"


Im sure the Xmarkers will come up with additional ones.

[Amoskeag]

If someone tells me that I shouldn't wear a kilt I say "OK I'll take it off!". That usually shuts them up

Most folks just assume that you're wearing it for a "reason"; the games or a special event or the like. Some will ask if your Scottish. They are mostly just interested. Boneheads will give you a hard time and there's not much you can do about them except not waste your time.
And yes, Chicks Dig It!
Bob

[Makeitstop]

I would say you should be careful about trying to psych yourself up for wearing the kilt. It's better to relax, and just go with it. Once you make it through the front door, you don't need to be psyched, you just have to go about your business as usual.

If you're having trouble, I suggest phasing in the kilt. Think of some place that's public but safe, and go there first. For me, it was a grocery store 15 minutes before they closed. It was virtually empty, and no one said a thing, but I had officially broken through the barrier and worn it in public.

After that, it's a lot easier to go back, and you can just add places to the list one by one.

Also, for me, church was good place to go early on, as it was a large social gathering, but I was guaranteed politeness and acceptance. If you frequent a similar setting, that would be a good place to get comfortable wearing a kilt around others.

[Jack Daw]

Worry only about paying your taxes. Just do it!

[McMurdo]

There are those that will make negative comments, however I find that the more comfortable I have become wearing the kilt the more positive comments I have recieved. There will of course be those who just do not get it, and will continue to make snide remarks, it does become easier to ignore as well. A good example, I have recently moved to a new apartment, yesterday in the hall I met these two young gentlemen, they were wearing clothes that young kids wear, i.e. hip hop attire, one of them said
"Nice outfit, it's very classy." This from a teenager no less, later on I was at a video store and a woman there wearing a T-Shirt that was way to tight for her ample figure, that said
"Kiss me before my boyfriend comes back"
was snickering at me, my thought was that at least I had the good sense to wear clothes that fit, and secondly what comes to mind is to take gauge who it's coming from, those in glass houses should not throw stones.
All in all if you stick with it I think you will find that the positive comments outweigh the negative, just remember wearing the kilt takes confidence, and it easier the more the do it. Good luck with it.

[Finn]

Your level of comfort in it will help your confidence. I jumped right in, but not everyone is comfortable with that. As Mr. Keeney suggested, wear it around friends first.
Unless you have something to lose (clients, whatever), don't worry about the approval of your community. It is easier to get acceptance than permission.
Enjoy your new kilts!

[Frank McGrath]

Just be like a certain leader of a country in the free world. Who cares what anyone else thinks. Do it. Do it now. Do it big. Do it real big. forget the consequences. DO IT!

[canawler]

I don't know about psyching yourself up for it but if you are looking for a slow transition into public kilt wearing you could add a few stops during the days you are attending "fantasy" events kilted. Maybe a couple of visits to convenience stores, stop at a nice restaurant for dinner on the way home, maybe even a quick stop at the local Wallymart to pick up a needed household item. Since you are attending an event, you are probably out of your immediate home area and don't need to worry about running into anyone you know (if that is a concern in your early kilt wearing.) And if you are asked about your attire and are uncomfortable explaining it, you can always just respond that you were just attend the fantasy event.

I realize that the above suggestion seems sort of like making excuses for your choice of clothing but it could be just the ticket to gaining public kilted time and time will bring an increased comfort level.

[ChattanCat]

I think the best way is to show up with a lovely girl, preferrable two, one on each arm. Or, better yet, show up with your kilt where you know there will be girls that will actually come up to you to compliment your kilting.