Kilt as just another part of your wardrobe

[TandemGeek]

Never for work, but quite often at other times.

My kilts regularly replace jeans on Friday and Saturday evenings when we head out to our local watering holes for dinner and sometimes dancing.

I'll also throw on a kilt to run errands on days off, when on vacation or the weekend when I just don't feel like pulling on a pair of jeans.

In these situations, I wear either the utility kilts or the tartans with an untucked v-neck or crew neck sweater, work/hiking boots with the socks gathered at the top of the boots. No sporran with the utility kilts but a casual Jacobite one with the tartans. When the weather gets warmer, Tshirts typically replace the sweaters with or without a belt depending on the kilt.

My formal was debuted at a New Years party this year in place of the tux; it was a big hit.

[GMan]

I am an everyday Kilt wearer. Being retired makes it easier, however even before retirement I was a daily Kiltie. Checked in my closet, 5 times as many Kilts as trousers.

[Father Bill]

Of course it's just another part of my wardrobe. So is my black dinner jacket and bow-tie. So are my clerical robes. It's just that I wear them when they're appropriate.

My kilt is not a replacement for my jeans. Neither is my cassock and surplice.

I don't mix and match either. My hiking boots don't go with my tux, and neither do they go with my kilt unless I'm out amidst the heather at a highland games venue.

I do sometimes wear sandals with an alb. So do the monks. It's traditional and appropriate.

[grizzbass]

it just another part of the wardrobe. I don't often wear it around the house although occasionally I do. Besides festivals and formal wear I do use where I can for singing (recitals) work although that probably falls under formal wear and as almost the only thing I wear hiking.

[tpa]

Now that I can, I wear a kilt almost every day. I do have ones for "occasions" and ones for knocking about in and now actually feel uncomfortable in trousers other very lose fitting ones or my elasticated cycling trousers. I have never been able to comfortably wear men's jeans (too large a backside) and used to get numerous questions about my attire choice from back as far as University days. Before that school uniform ruled. These days comments regarding my kilt wearing are a lot less in quantity and I have had more than a few decades to get used to them.

[RGRatSea]

As so many of our correspondents have suggested, attire is multi faceted in the time and place equation. I have been kilted with a tweed jacket and wool hose in 20°F weather and been quite comfortable while others in poofey jackets were shivvering. I do kilt-up for fun/comfort when I wish when going to town, accesssoried al fresco.

Early 2016 we went via the Queen Mary II from NYC to Sydney. This was 53 days en route with 21 formal nights, which meant full formal kilt and Prince Charlie. By the time we got to Fiji I found their traditional attire so familiar that I bought a nice pin-stripe "Sulu", a gentleman's wrap-around. Sort of a kilt without pleats. It has a clever built in tie system, is much more comfortable than trousers in the heat of the tropics and, as I was assured by a native, worn correctly allowed the cooling breezes to circulate freely.

It seems that clothing of all types is based on climate, fashion and largely practicality. Thus, I dismiss nothing out of hand. For my wear, I select towards the best presentation end of the scale. When adopting the kilt on any given day it makes sense to look well. Therein lies the value of this forum - the free flow of concept.

By the way, wearing the Sulu in Fiji I received many compliments from the locals. I was even told more than once, "You look like a Fijian King." Wearing it respectfully initiated friendly conversations with the people of Fiji. Can't ask for more than that in any place of any attire.

So I believe when you find your comfort zone in trottin' out the tartan, wear it in good cheer and don't be surprised at the interest.

Best regards - Ryc

[The Q]

The kilt is part of a range of attire for me.
Generally Sundays I'll be wearing sailing gear as I was today.
Monday to Friday ​cheap​trousers, sat next to an oil bath at work, wearing the same when I get home in the summer, for a bit of light garden work.
Saturday overalls out in the garden / working on the sailing boat / land rover/ house repairs/ model railway shed.
Kilts, formal dinners ( Burns night and a works dinner this month), and other social occasions.
It is rare we just go together shopping or the like, and with me being very hard on clothing ( hence the overalls in the garden) due to normally doing other things on the same day . I can't afford to wear kilts when they may be damaged.

Once I retire ( 6 years and counting), we will have more time to go places, and be in more non damaging kilt wearing occasions.

[Kiltedjohn]

I usually wear a kilt about the house, and sometimes for country rambles. Not so much of going into town - my wife feels it is very conspicuous! I would probably wear it much more often if I was on my own.

[Prisoneratvillage]

I don't just wear my kilt for events or special occasions, like the highland games. I will wear it once or twice a month just because I want to.
I feel that sometimes it seems to put people off. I went into my local bank and the entire lobby became silent and I was the object of attention.
Almost as if they didn't know what to make of it. The teller seemed at a loss for words and used a lot of effort not to notice. At the time I was in complete costume, pin, sporran etc. Rochester is a small town, but I didn't think people would be that surprised. Anyway, just my experience.

[mddock58]

When I received my first kilt, a gift from my wife, it was for the Celtic fest.
I can honestly say that it was because of this group, that I looked at the kilt as a garment and not a costume.
Now I wear my kilt regularly as I can, not at work, but most other days and no matter where I go.
Of course my wife likes to see me i the kilt.
Though I get some strange looks and comments (at times) I usually roll with it.