New member, first kilt

[Blu (Ontario)]

Hello, Oliver... Glad you're able to join the group. Like you, I was self conscious at first. When I bought my first kilt, I would only wear it to family gatherings or highland events where I could blend in and feel comfortable. Poor kilt stayed in the closet 360 days a year. What a shame. Then I happened to stumble upon www.kiltmen.com, read the essays posted there, and subsequently made the decision to enjoy wearing it out more often informally. I started making reasons to wear it. Car needs gas, we're out of milk, etc. Like so many have posted, wearing it in public turned out to be a non-event. Of course I made sure I was ready for possible snide remarks with a clever quip or two of my own. If you're concerned about plunging into a public situation, my suggestion it you is to pick your audience. Start where you feel comfortable and gradually move outward. Most important is a show of confidence and pride. A few winks and smile from the girls will help there. 8)

blu

[Rhino]

Welcome Oliver, I can only reiterate what everyone else has said, it's either a non event or really great ie one night in a local town my mate was waiting for me. He was wearing a newly aquired Amerikilt, a guy came up to him and said 'my mate got married in a kilt' Mick replied 'really.. I got married in a church'. A bit obvious but smiles all round.
As for my first night I didn't have time to be nervous, my kilt arrived on New Years Eve while I was at work. I walked into my house at 9pm and out in a kilt at 10pm.
Thats not to say I'm never nervous, thats part of the fun. No one would sky dive if they weren't a bit nervous.
Be confident and enjoy yourself,
Cheers Rhino

[richardljohnson]

My welcome also...

Wearing a kilt is a lot like walking, the first couple of steps are hard but after that it becomes earier and more fun. After a while it just becomes a part of you.

Be sure to post often, especially if you have questions. The brain-trust here has a world of experience. I've learned a lot.

RLJ-

[Vince]

Welcome to the board. It's been a while since I posted my first time story and most of these people have seen it. Since it sounds like you need encouragement, let me share once again.

This is primarily directed at those who are perhaps a little timid about wearing their kilt for the first in public. I also acknowledge that as I live near Seattle, I may live in a more cosmopolitan area than some of you folks out there.

My new kilt is a traditional 8 yard 13 oz. garment made by Gaelic Themes in Glasgow. The tartan is unofficial US Navy tartan also known as Edzell.

I had to determine if I wanted to break in wearing my new kilt gradually or just go for it. In considering my choices, it really came down to
1. I may have made a big mistake or
2. I am going to love it and if someone else doesn’t like it; it’s not my problem.
I am 5’9’’, a little over 12 stone (170 lb), balding (that’s putting it kindly), and in my late 40’s. Hardly an Adonis or very intimidating but I have a great personality!

Took my girlfriend to her hairdresser appointment in Queen Anne. Her beautician asked if it was a Utilikilt. When I explained what is was, she said that she liked it. I really didn’t have too many worries about wearing a kilt around Queen Anne; it’s a neighbourhood that likes to think of itself as oh-so-sophisticated. To kill time I walked across the street for coffee. On the way I noticed quite a few passing drivers taking a good look. In the coffee shop quite a few people trying not to appear that they were looking. The children didn’t even notice (either that or they were exceptionally well behaved). Since the place was crowded, I decided to have my coffee to go and walk the 5 blocks to the main shopping area. As I walked out, I looked back and saw the young lady at the pastry counter smiling and checking me out. I smiled back and her smile broadened and she waved.

On my walk I met up with about 12 to 14 people, mostly couples. Most pretended not to notice (perhaps they didn’t) and a few just smiled. I checked out some of the restaurants and stopped in some of the shops. In most cases there was no apparent reaction though I did find that the sales people seemed more attentive. I’ve done this walk before wearing trousers and therefore was able to judge the change in service. It was interesting to note the number of double takes in this area as I was walking about. One young lady in a red sports car did honk and wave. As I was walking by one restaurant, it was obvious that one man had told his lady companion to turn and take a look at the guy in the kilt. He was laughing and she just smiled. At least it gave them something to talk about while they were wolfing down their undersized servings of cheesecake and sipping overpriced coffee for dessert.

Walked back to rescue my girlfriend from the beauty shop. We then decided that a trip to mall was in order. We went to a mall that was closer to home, about 15 miles from Seattle. This mall is frequented by more of a mix of blue collar and white collar households. Again, quite a few people trying not to look and some very attentive sales people. I have been to this mall quite a number of times and I have never received better service. What my girlfriend noticed was that many of the female sales people were ‘checking me out’ sometimes as we were leaving, sometimes while we were in the store.

All in all, it was quite an ego boost. I have always been an observer of people so I especially enjoyed watching peoples’ reactions. For those that laughed, at least I managed to brighten their day.

Since then I have nothing but positive responses to my kilt. I think that when poeple see a guy in a kilt, they figure that this guy is friendly and open to conversation. I've noticed that service in resturants goes up a notch or two when I wear my kilt.

In closing all I can say is enjoy.

[Graham]

The other day I decided to face my greatest challenge in a kilt. It was a visit to one of my best clients, a Caterpillar workshop and offices.
This large complex is staffed by a heap of people who have known me for over 15 years.

The workshop is what we call a very "blokey" place, tough, beer swilling, football obsessed blokes.
I've been dreading going there but knew that day would come.

I'd 'primed' them a little over recent months, mentioning my celtic radio broadcast, placing posters for Scottish events on their notice board, building as association in their minds between me and things Scottish.

So I turned up, in T shirt and kilt with large "blokey" boots. ( they have a policy about safety boots being worn there).
I got a few comments like "nice legs" (to which I replied "forget it, you're not my type" bit naughty - I shouldn't play the 'homosexual card even in jest).

Overall the reaction was a mixture of interest and unbelief.

The next time I went, I wore shorts, and one of the managers asked me why I wasn't wearing my kilt!! I wish I had!.

It was a lesson in overcoming that 'final barrier' to full time kilting for me,

[The Kilted Chef]

Go for it, Graham! 8)