Topless Kilting

[bear]

Well, it must be the time of year for this discussion. I just blogged about it, yesterday.
http://macbitseach.blogspot.com/

I go shirtless in the city but not downtown. I'll go to the park or the beach, BBQs ... just not somepleace where proper shirted attire is the norm.

It seems all kids love to run around naked. When we as kids got too old to do that, we'd run around in nothing but shorts. I think it's an extension of that for some of us. The feeling of freedom wearing a kilt or going shirtless ... it's a reminder of a youthful joy.
It's natural.

I'm taking the sun slowly. A little sun every day and I'll slowly tan. I once shaved my head and got a sunburn and peeled. Talk about itchy!

[Alan H]

Again, I'm all for it. If you guys want to go shirtless, that's great. Go for it. Please keep it in an appropriate venue, of course, but have at it.

But to suggest that there's something WRONG with those who don't.... Um.

[Andy]

Again, I'm all for it. If you guys want to go shirtless, that's great. Go for it. Please keep it in an appropriate venue, of course, but have at it.

But to suggest that there's something WRONG with those who don't.... Um.

I don't want to speak for Ron, but I think the whole thing about going shirtless is entirely situational. I think 99% of us would never even consider going shirtless in public. In fact, most public, suburban places in America forbid this. Hence - No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service.

What I think Ron was pointing out is that, kilted or not, for most of us guys (and maybe a few of the females as well), losing the top is no big deal when in the confines of proper company (spouse, kids, friends, Mother Nature, Matthew McConouhey, fellow hippies, etc.) or the proper environment (backyard, back 40, camping out, Hippy Hollow [for all my Austin peeps], wrestling bears,etc.).....

I'm gonna be kilted and shirtless once again this evening. This time out back, desolate road with a potato sack full of fireworks left over from last year

[Rex_Tremende]

So, to Ron's question, shirtlessness is entirely situational with me. I really can't think of any place, where I've ever been or would go in public where being in a kilt AND it's appropriate to go without a shirt is appropriate. Well, maybe the shore for a morning or late evening stroll.

Generally speaking, though, I tend to think that jiggly parts need to be concealed from view in polite company. If it moves after I stop, it's a safe bet that there are few who want to see it.

I think I straddle the fence between shame and shamelessness, though. When I was a kid, I was ridiculed mercilessly for my weight and body shape. When I lost weight and came of age, and began to explore the idea of being comfortable with my body, like going shirtless in my own home, my parents put an immediate stop to that. (To their credit, though, they attempted to find alternatives, like cropped and mesh shirts and such.)

As an adult, free to make my own choices, I am probably more sensitive to those around me than my own particular needs or hedonism. Working in my yard, I might bare more to my neighbors than I would if, say, I was at a street festival.

Though it would entirely depend on the street festival, you know.

Regards,
Rex.

[Andy]

Tanning for me is more a byproduct of my envoronment than anything else. I love being outdoors and live to just lounge around a pool or a nice whitesand beach whenever I can. I'm lucky in the fact that I tend to tan easily (as do my wife and kids). I will burn, however, if I'm out too long. However, too long for me, usually means too much beer as well so it all works out in the end. I know that sunscreen helps, but I hate the feeling of it. I will put it on my nose, ears and neck whenever I'm playing golf though.

I've seen some beautiful women with alibaster skin. Some look very exotic that way. And yes, I'm also a fan of the "goth look" if the right person can pull it off.

I think for me though, just being in the sun makes me feel more alive and healthier. Doing it kilted makes it just that much more better...

[Riverkilt]

You crack me up Rex! Yup, some of my parts keep moving....

And no, I don't go topless and kilted to a dinner party...not fair to those dining...

Original intent of the thread was getting more posts of topless kilting...see so much already, seems to be an option for many.

No problem with those that choose not to....just sad if the reason is body shame. There is such FREEDOM to enjoy in the proper time and place...a FREEDOM that enhances the FREEDOM of a kilt.

But of course - each to their own. It does strike me as ironic that we can be so free with our kilting and then have hesitation up top.

And good on you guys who shared pics!!

Never guessed this topic would get such a run....is this a great board or what??!!

[bear]

I keep thinking about this thread. I'm not entirely comfortable with my upper body shape and I'm working on it, but I'm 50 and it goes slowly. The question that keeps popping into my head is, "What if I never get lean?"
Would that mean I could never again go without a shirt on a sunny day?
I can't accept that.
I'm just going ahead and taking off my shirt.
No harm will be done. Small children will not scream. Dogs will not froth at the mouth.
Vast sheets of the polar ice caps will not cascade majestically into the ocean, causing massive worlwide flooding and general panic.
Uncounted armies of the undead will not rise seeking brains for brunch.

It's just a tummy, guys!

I see worse every day walking down the street. See that short, 300 lb woman in the spandex shorts and halter top? No, the other 300 lb woman in the spandex shorts and halter top. Yeah, the one with the lime green crocs, pink hair, and celtic tattoo on her calf.

My tummy's not sounding so bad!

[ali8780]

I keep thinking about this thread. I'm not entirely comfortable with my upper body shape and I'm working on it, but I'm 50 and it goes slowly. The question that keeps popping into my head is, "What if I never get lean?"
Would that mean I could never again go without a shirt on a sunny day?
I can't accept that.
I'm just going ahead and taking off my shirt.
No harm will be done. Small children will not scream. Dogs will not froth at the mouth.
Vast sheets of the polar ice caps will not cascade majestically into the ocean, causing massive worlwide flooding and general panic.
Uncounted armies of the undead will not rise seeking brains for brunch.

It's just a tummy, guys!

I see worse every day walking down the street. See that short, 300 lb woman in the spandex shorts and halter top? No, the other 300 lb woman in the spandex shorts and halter top. Yeah, the one with the lime green crocs, pink hair, and celtic tattoo on her calf.

My tummy's not sounding so bad!

I think you should go for it (not that you need my blessing). I've recently made a similar declaration to wear my bathing suits uncovered this summer and not worry about my imperfections. I have a whole drawer full of adorable swimming suits that have yet to be worn, because I usually end up wearing board shorts and a rash guard. Not this summer though!

[JelicoCat]

The human form is a work of art. The body (any one's body) is beautiful. I enjoy the freedom of wearing as little clothes as possible. I temper this freedom with a level of modisty appropriate for the situation, but make no mistake there is no shame in bearing one's shape no matter what the shape.

[Aldisimo]

Bear said:

The question that keeps popping into my head is, "What if I never get lean?"

Well, what if you don't?

However to give you some hope, at 60 years old I lost 50 pounds and have kept 45 of them at bay. For vanity to be sure, but mostly for health. When your breathing becomes labored going DOWN the stairs, when your doctor explains your risk for diabetes and heart disease--you'll know it's time to get serious!

The downside? Kilts didn't fit anymore. But most of them were X-Kilts, so not such a big inve$tment.