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

[James MacMillan]

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

OK - Now I have a new name for the time I waste here..... Now I can tell the wife, I was just visiting the "Support Group!"

Gotta love this place!

[Rex_Tremende]

It's more frightening in your head than it is on the street.

What you want to do is get to a point where you basically forget you're wearing it. That way, you'll walk around with ease and be relaxed, instead of walking around with the feeling that you're in your underwear.

I've found that (besides highland games) the least self-concious place to experience wearing a kilt in public is a nice restaurant.

To wratchet up enough courage to go out in public kilted for the first time, I chose to go out on a blind date to a restaurant in a town not quite an hour's drive away. I gave my companion fair warning. In return, I got encouragement. I discovered I enjoyed it so much, I was able to overcome any lingering fears I might have had about going out and about in my own community. Very quickly, I discovered two things: 1) a lot of people had a lot of good things to say about it, and 2) if I wanted to find people to give me funny looks, I only had to look for them; I stopped looking for them and suddenly there were no more funny looks.

Will you be immune from everyone who would go out of their way to say unkind things to you? No, probably not, but, in the end, what do they matter?

Regards,
Rex.

[Vafuth]

I agree with much that has already been said...

Kilts, especially traditional kilts, are quite conservative. just toss it on and go.

[Jack Daw]

To wratchet up enough courage to go out in public kilted for the first time, I chose to go out on a blind date to a restaurant in a town not quite an hour's drive away. I gave my companion fair warning. In return, I got encouragement. I discovered I enjoyed it so much, I was able to overcome any lingering fears I might have had about going out and about in my own community. Very quickly, I discovered two things: 1) a lot of people had a lot of good things to say about it, and 2) if I wanted to find people to give me funny looks, I only had to look for them; I stopped looking for them and suddenly there were no more funny looks.

Will you be immune from everyone who would go out of their way to say unkind things to you? No, probably not, but, in the end, what do they matter?

Regards,
Rex.

After a pub engagement in which the men were kilted, a couple of us and our dates decided to go to a Japanese restaurant. None of the patrons or wait staff batted an eye.

[Ryan Ross]

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...

A very good point! I was talking to one of my friends last night, who's doing her honors thesis under one of the history professors that I've never even clapped eyes on before (I'm a history major also, but I've only ever been in class with about one third of the history profs). At any rate, she was talking to this professor that I've never met, and he says: "Oh, I heard that you're friends with Ryan Ross- the guy that wears the kilts."!

...and it seems like that's pretty typical. You start to become... dare I say... famous for your sartorial tastes.

After a pub engagement in which the men were kilted, a couple of us and our dates decided to go to a Japanese restaurant. None of the patrons or wait staff batted an eye.

I know this seems random, but I've found that a lot of Japanese folks LOVE the kilt. I think it might have something to do with the quirky nature of the Japanese culture... I guess if it's ok for a Scot to be fascinated by hakama, it's ok for a Japanese person to be fascinated by the kilt.

[Noobie]

Holy Smeg! - I never would have expected so much positive feedback so fast. I couldn't even catch up reading it until this evening.

Definitely some good ideas put forward here. I'm going to have to see what I can integrate. Just reading them all I feel much more confident about the whole thing. I'm tempted to just throw caution to the wind and go full kilted to all my classes tomorrow. At the least I know of a few good places to take it to that fit well with many of your suggestions. You guys rock. Just wish I had more to say around here. Theres obviously a lot of fun to be had.

[Jock Scot]

As a Scot living in Scotland,I dont think we have the same problems going out wearing the kilt ,for the first time, as you chaps across the Atlantic do.It must be a daunting prospect!In sixty odd years I have never been asked "the question" and providing the kilt is worn properly there will be rarely a comment.I am not too sure if I am brave enough to wear a "modern non tartan type" of kilt here though!

You have had loads of positive advice and encouragement here and I have only one minor point to add and that is not even my own advice,but it is good advice,I think.If "jumping in at the deep end" with wearing the kilt is too daunting, why not wear a balmoral and keep your trousers(pants) on.That way you will get you local population used to the idea that Scotland is lurking.It will also boost your morale so when the great day comes and your kilt is launched onto the world stage you will probably find no one will notice!Well OK they will notice ,but they wont say a word! Go for it and have fun.

[berserkbishop]

I dont know what to tell you other than just go for it. At first it may seem a little daunting, but I think you will find that you like it. Personally, I have never been shy. I went to high school in a farm town and was the first "goth" kid in a town with a population of 1,500. This is in Missouri mind you. Doesnt get much more conservative. Granted I didnt wear the kilt then, but I had the guts to step out of the norm and set a trend. Thats all kilt wearing is really. No, its not a trend. Trends come and go, but the kilt has been around for a long, long time. I really like the added attention and have always eaten that up. Cherish the compliments and realize that those who criticize would not have the courage to step out like you are.


BB

[sharpdressedscot]

It's a perpetual trend!!

[Galb]

Some of you mentioned how people treat you differently when you wear a kilt. I thought nothing of it until I had to head to the Goodwill store to drop off some old purses for my wife. Usually I just walk in with a bag and some grumpy old woman forcibly asks "Dropping off?!" I always say yes, to which I get a reply "Just throw it on the counter. We'll get it later!" Always grumpy.

Well, this past weekend when I walked in I got the usual question of dropping off, but it was in a nicer tone. When I said yes I was told to place it on the counter like usual, but in a nicer tone. When I was leaving though, she said something I had never heard before...a "Thank you" and with a smile. I just chalked it up to the old lady finally having a good day. I never thought that maybe the kilt had anything to do with it.

When I got home, a neighbor saw me in it and stopped me to tell me how wonderful it looked and how I should wear it more often.

But the funniest, and one that will stick out in my mind is a case of simple childhood innocence. Last night I bumped into my next door neighbor who asked me what was up with the kilt. I explained my ancestry and told him that I really enjoyed wearing it and probably would more often. He thought it was cool. He then proceeded to tell me how his little 4 year old cousin was over this past weekend watching tv when they saw me walk by the apartment. The little girl then asked him "Why is that man wearing a dress?" When he told me this I laughed so hard. I know the little girl and I could picture it happening. Her aunt and her cousin then proceeded to explain that it was a kilt, and that it was a Scottish thing. I can't wait until the next time I see that little one. I'm going to ask her if she liked my "dress". LOL.