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

[Jack Daw]

Heck! I was already feeling good about wearing the kilt in public, but all these posts have surprised me and tells me even more than I expected about others' experiences. I appreciate it all, myself. WHAT A SUPPPORT GROUP WE HAVE!!!

[sharpdressedscot]

Yup, we're a support group alright. A big, fun-poking, support group!

[fluter]

I found that wearing it for specific Scottish functions or commemorative days worked well... just branch out for more and more days (your birthday, "no pants day", kilted Thursdays, whatever).

Eventually you'll use my line: I only wear it on days ending in 'Y.'

only negative remark came from some small-minded punk yelling 'nice dress' as he zoomed by in his car.

Agreed. I've decided that the best response is to smile and wave. The first time it happened to me, I laughed out loud at how idiotic he made himself sound.

Who cares what a redneck thinks?

I resemble that remark. Can we avoid flinging stereotypes while we complain about... ignorant stereotypes?

[Galb]

This past weekend I did it. I bought my kilt at a Highland games a year ago and only wore it twice (to the games each year). Well, this Friday night I kilted up and headed out with some friends to an Irish Pub. I got no slack there at all. I did get some looks, but none that were disapproving. Saturday came and I did the same, except I head around town. believe it or not, I had one of my neighbors, a sweet lil old lady, stop me to tell me how wonderful I looked in it. She said she loved it. She asked if I was heading to a festival, and when I told her "nope, I just felt like wearing it" she got a huge smile and told me how happy that made her. She said she loves the look of a Scotsman in a kilt and told me to do it more often. Around town I may have gotten a look or two, but nothing that would've been discouraging.

One thing I think will help is how you carry yourself. If you act self-conscious about it, then people will look and stare. If you act like you would in a normal pair of pants, they won't give it a second thought. They may still look, but I doubt you will get any disapproving glares.

Have fun.

[cwr89]

I would say just be mindful of how you look. if your dressed casual and you work to make it look good or if your dressed formal and you work to make it look good, you shouldn't even worry about what others say or think. The thing is, make sure you work to make it look good. that might even mean the first few times out its semi-formal. get people used to the kilt before dressing it down.

when I am out in public and not walking with other kilters I find that its best to lift your head and wear it proud, if your proud about it people usually don't say things. the common person who would say something knows to look for the person who's staring at the ground and trying to hide.
I also smile big, and don't stare at people's faces for reactions but I try and look for them. Be polite to people if they ask. More often than not, I get an elderly person asking me what clan I am with or if I am from Scotland. Sometimes these people are the nicest people alive and would love to stand there and have a conversation.

Most importantly don't worry about others opinions, kilts are about you feeling good and comfortable.

and I don't think you can get any more weird than I! I am a kilt wearing, teenage, suburban dwelling, cricket player.

have fun and wear with pride!
~Casey

[sharpdressedscot]

Cricket? I didn't see that one...

[gilmore]

... I just wonder if there are any tips for psyching myself up to do it and downplaying the possible negative repercussions?

Just do it!

[Raphael]

The fear that you have is only in your head. You are armed with the notion that the general public is going to disapprove your kilt. You just have to overcome your fear of that. In reality, no one give a damn on how you dress when you are out casually. People have lots of things in their mind and they simply don't care what other people are doing.

Just strap your kilt on, apron in the front, pleats at the back and head out of your door. you are going to look at life differently.

[Galb]

Just strap your kilt on, apron in the front, pleats at the back and head out of your door. you are going to look at life differently.

Yeah, you'll realize that pants are overrated.

[Howard Clark]

And people remember your name when you wear a kilt. I spent two days last week at a church stewardship training seminar. The presenter had a little trouble with a couple of people's names (not remembering them correctly). You NEVER have that trouble kilted.

It is a confidence building exercise to wear it, and self-feeding. More wearing, more confidence, more wearing, more confidence...