Off the horse, how do I get back on?

[ChubRock]

I am sure I am not the first to go several months without kilting. I have worn my kilts on only a few occasions since March. Tomorrow I am kilting with a UK Workman's and some Keen sandals.

I wonder if I quit kilting because it was getting harder to find the matching outfit. Maybe because it pushes my belly up too high making me look oafish. Maybe I just became afraid to rock the kilt and settled on khaki shorts so I didn't have to answer the question.

How do I get back on the horse?

[Nighthawk]

Um... Dive in. That's my usual solution to everything. That's how I quit smoking- just **** do it!

[English Bloke]

In all seriousness. Put your kilt on, that would be a start... Oafish in who's opinion? It's only clothes.

[Bugbear]

Left side of the horse, and left foot in the stirrup.

Pleats go in the back.

It is weird to remember the constant kilt frenzy, and endless search for a reason to wear the kilt; always trying to get a picture in the kilt; always trying to save up for the next accessory.

Perhaps you need to think about getting something new to get a jones started.

[MacMillans son]

I really appreciate your candor ChubRock. I am still working on "getting on" completely, so can't speak directly to your question about getting "back on". However, it seems like it may be a similar path. I started with wearing the kilt to places where I felt "safe", Scottish games, hiking, etc. After letting people close to me know I was going to start wearing the kilt, I showed up at some events with people who know me, BBQs ect. Then similar case at work etc.

I would say start with what you are comfortable with go from there. Welcome back!

Take care,
Brooke

[Frank McGrath]

Left foot into left stirrup, pull your self up and swing right leg over the horse. Then Jump off and change into your kilt. use contemporary mode of transportation to your local watering hole and refresh yourself. As easy as falling off a horse.

[fluter]

ChubRock, at this time of year it's quite simple: check the weather forecast.

Let's see, Twin Cities looks like 90F with high humidity in the morning. Wear the kilt!

[Pleater]

When you intend to wear the kilt make sure you know what you will put on with it and be sure that you have it ready to wear, so you don't find that the toning top or shirt you intended to put on requires washing or ironing, then you just put it on and don't have the need nor inclination to change your plans.

BUT - I wonder if you would feel more comfortable in a kilt cut/fitted differently from the UK - possibly higher in the waist so as to disguise what you feel is a fault?

Maybe you have some innate mini Hamish prompting you to aspire to a different look.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[auld argonian]

Wear it when the spirit moves you...we have the full-timers and the part-timers here on the forum and the prevailing sentiment here has always been that we don't make any kind of value judgement about who is "kiltier-than-thou" just because they have more kilts in their closet or log more "kilted hours". The idea here is to encourage the wearing and to support each other.

...and why in the worlds would you want to wear the big khaki shorts? It'd make you look like a Cubs fan...(but I suppose that for a Minnesotan, looking like a Sox fan would probably be worse!)

I shall now deposit a smiley face so that it is clear that that last comment was meant purely as a good natured jibe at both Cubs fans and Twins fans.

Best

AA

[wildrover]

I am sure I am not the first to go several months without kilting. I have worn my kilts on only a few occasions since March. Tomorrow I am kilting with a UK Workman's and some Keen sandals.

I wonder if I quit kilting because it was getting harder to find the matching outfit. Maybe because it pushes my belly up too high making me look oafish. Maybe I just became afraid to rock the kilt and settled on khaki shorts so I didn't have to answer the question.

How do I get back on the horse?

Kilt up, with closed toe shoes or boots, and go mess around in the garage. Then go to your local pub for a whiskey, a pint and a cheeseburger. Go for a long walk in the hills to work it off.

See how you feel.

If you're feeling oafish, walk longer...it'll come off...it takes months or even years to go on, that's how long it takes to come off, so if you're consistent with the bacon, be consistent with the walking. Pick up a pair of poles if you want...it's not cheating, and it'll work your upper body a little, at the same time it's easing the load on your back.

As to the question...I've noticed people are blunt with me. It's easy to be blunt right back, no problem...at a winery on Saturday, a group asked me very directly, "are you wearing underwear?" to which I replied "hell no." Simple and to the point! People will always ask...always be ready to answer!

A traditional kilt won't help you see your feet, but it will prevent the dunlop from being visible, and as comfortable as a trad kilt is, you'll be more likely to hike in it, which will sort out the body image in no time .

...And if it doesn't...remember, round is a shape! So if you're unhappy with how you look, then do something about it. If you're satisfied, then raise another pint for self-confidence and kilt on .

-Sean