Going through a baptism of sorts

[ForresterModern]

Always better to be overdressed than underdressed for a social event (except maybe a rugby match in the mud) as it is easier to take off your jacket and ite than to skulk around trying hide the fact that you arent dressed to the same level as the average member of the party. I think that is especially so for kilt wearers entering into not traditionally kilt wearing community situations such as yours. The kilt looks better when worn with its more traditional accoutrements and is easier to explain and have accepted in that look, but then can be "undressed" or dressed down a bit as the event progresses if appropriate.

Example, at weddings most folks are still in their jackets and ties (just talking men here) when they get to the reception but may remove their jackets when they sit down for the meal, or may not. But by the time the cake is being cut and the dancing starts a lot moer of them have removed the jacket, tie, possibly the vest and maybe even rolled up their shirt sleeves (depending on the wedding) to partake more actively in the festivities.

I just think the traditional kilt looks better dressed appropriately in a designated social event and can be casualized down fairly easliy as you feel more comfortable with its reception among the group.

[Drac]

Thanks for the replies.

I only knew one of the persons from a day to day basis. Most of the others I had only met one time before and than I was in my dress uniform. The one person I knew is both ret army and a Freedom Rider. So both a a vet and biker. It doesn't mean much as I personally know bikers who wouldn't get on their bike without their kilts.

Still not sure how that works..

The other from the VFW I didn't know so fowl there for the comments.

I AM NOT going there about mixing military items and nonmilitary items. The last thread I read was more than a little heated and some of the others no less so. I hope to get a few items that will go with my out fits that shows my attachment. Normally I'm not one who wears a lot of "hey look at me I'm in the military" stuff. I will say it's not area I've given much thought about as some of the exams I have seen kind of look tacky or push the bounds of good taste (i.e. wife would be sending me back up stairs tell me "You will not wear that in public"). Normally about all I wear when not in uniform is a flag pin with a red, yellow and blue ribbon. My wife and I wear a thin yellow ribbon over the white for my brother-in-law who is on his 4 tour over in the Sandbox.

From reading here I know there's going be a lot of both camps when I wear my kilt out.

Jim

[McFarkus]

If you wear a kilt regularly to events there, they will get used to it.

[Smayniac]

I'm not entirely clear, did you wear the kilt and polo for the color guard or after? If you were in uniform and changed out, might some of the older members have found some disrespect in that choice? If you were participating in the color guard, I'd think that would suggest a higher level of formality.
Bob

[Garry Oak]

Some might ask the question,

...why in the world would anybody wear one?

On this day especially, part of the answer is: Loos, Ypres, the Somme, and a very long list of places before and after those.

Thank you for your service.

[Drac]

I still have to keep working on the various outfits. The only jacket I have is the PC. I have been studying the tailoring threads on the jackets. Once the season is over I will start looking into expanding my wardrobe with x-kilts and jackets.

The Color Guard event was Friday and the dinner was on Saturday. Normally once I start in uniform I stay in it until the evening is over. I've been doing Color Guard for ten years and I made the mistake you're talking about years ago and you're right on the effect it can have.

Jim

[Strings]

I personally know bikers who wouldn't get on their bike without their kilts.

Still not sure how that works..

Simple: climb into saddle. Sweep pleats securely under you. Tuck apron across tank and under thighs. Pray you don't lay it down.

I've ridden ONCE kilted. Modesty wasn't an issue: the certain knowledge that my kilt wouldn't stay in place if I went down WAS...

[thescot]

Drac, for very little money you can get a khaki shirt, and--especially at the VFW!--put on your ribbon[s]. Add a pair of lovat green hose and a khaki glengarry, and you will find that you fit in much more easily at the VFW.

You're no kid, so you know that vets are very sensitive, especially on Veterans Day, to anyone whom they believe is mocking or disrespecting the military and/or vets. And when you add guys who are older, more conservative, and probably ignorant of kilts in general, it's understandable that you may have been poorly received. I'll bet that in a khaki shirt and ribbons you'd have been received much differently.