First Picture!

[Rubber Soul]

hahaha, thanks Jimmy!

[Rob]

That wouldn't make much a difference, would it Rob?

Hi Dylan,

What horizontally flipping the photo would do, would be to put the opening side of your kilt apron and kilt pin on your right hand side, where it actually is, rather than appearing to be the wrong way round. Remember that women's kilted skirts open to the left, so anyone seeing your pic, without reading that it was taken via a mirror, may think that you were wearing some sort of women's skirt, whereas you are really wearing a first class man's kilt.

Just one other thought, you may find it beneficial to get yourself a leather sporran strap for casual wear instead of the sporran chain that you are wearing in the photo. The reason for this is that many long term kilt wearers have found that a chain tends to rub against the kilt apron and over a period of time causes noticeable wear. I am sure you wouldn't want your superb new kilt damaged. I hope you don't mind me making this suggestion, but someone (such as youself) who is new to kiltwearing probably wouldn't know about this problem.

Anyway, as you can probably tell, we are all envious of you as we wish we had started to wear kilts at your age. Good for you.

Rob

[bikercelt1]

Nice pic, Dylan!
Are you sure you're really 14??

You must be an "old soul" Dylan. I'd have to agree, you're not a typical 14yr old at all! The kilt looks good and you look very confident. I certainly wasn't very confident at your age, so I have to comend you for that. Now you'll have to get a tripod and give us some photo's ala Ham's gallery. Glad to have you among us.

Jamie

[Rubber Soul]

That's a really good point about the apron opening, Rob. It was just a crap picture that I took quickly the last time I was wearing it (Canadian Thanksgiving), so I snapped a picture quickly. Thanks a lot for the tip about the chain! The sporran I purchased came with a strap, but I wasn't crazy about the way it hung, so I also bought a chain. I think it looks nicer with the chain, but if it'll wear the kilt too much I'll definately start using the strap.

A personal friend of the family is a professional photographer, so he's going to take some pictures of me in it for Christmas Cards (much to my chagrin, I'm not crazy about having my picture taken). So expect some much better pictures in the near future.

[Rob]

I think it looks nicer with the chain, but if it'll wear the kilt too much I'll definately start using the strap.

Hi Dylan,

If the sporran doesn't hang properly with the strap, try it with the strap not threaded through the belt loops, if that is how you tried it before. Just let it hang around your waist, and adjust the strap so that the top of the sporran sits about two inches below the bottom of the belt.

Save the chain for more formal events, when it is more approriate to wear one.

I look forward to seeing the 'professional' photos.

Rob

[Rubber Soul]

Thanks for the advice, Rob. Next time I put on all the garb I'll give that strap a whirl (if I can find it)

[Hamish]

Hi Dylan,

Congratulations on 'the look', and I have to agree with everything that Rob has said to you. I have seen some terrible damage to kilts caused by wear and tear from the sporran chains. I try to wear mine only to formal events, when I am fully dressed up - straps at all other times. Unfortunately, I have a couple of sporrans for which I don't as yet have suitable straps, so you'll see some chains in my photo album!

Coincidentally, I too was 14 when I began wearing the kilt (that was 54 years ago - ugggggh!). From then, for the next 48 years, it was nothing more than a costume for my Scottish Country and Highland Dancing activities but, 5½ years ago, I got rid of my trousers and have not worn any since.

The cry is, "Kilts Forever!"

[Rubber Soul]

thanks as well, Hamish. I feel as if I'm forever in yours and Rob's debt for giving me the hint about the chain!