How find the guts to go kilted in a conservative community?

[Ian.MacAllan]

I think the basic issue is simply who shall decide how you behave, you or someone you fear may disapprove? You will almost certainly be stuck with the consequences of what you do; that nameless someone else will avoid all responsibility.

I know not what course others may take, but as for me, I'd rather be shot as a fox than as a sheep.

.

[Riverkilt]

AA made a great point. You will probably feel more modestly dressed in a kilt. Wearing pants most anyone can tell which side you dress on with just a glance. The boy parts are well concealed when kilted. For some, it lends additional confidence.

I'm guessing there are others who've felt a bit exposed when they went from kilts to pants...

So, enjoy the freedom AND the modesty.

Ron

[Ryan Ross]

I'm guessing there are others who've felt a bit exposed when they went from kilts to pants...
Ron

Yes. I have tried to explain this to non kilt wearers, but they never seen to believe me. The "boy parts" are much more... well covered... in a kilt.

Pants are almost obscene, when you think about it (for guys, anyway).

[Atlanta Kiltie]

I have had my kilt since last December and have worn it at least once a month from semi formal functions to kilt nights to the DeKalb Farmers Market. I have only had one negative comment from some young man in a passing car to which the lady standing on the sidewalk next to me replied "How rude". Every time I go out in my kilt, I am met with positive comments and intelligent questions. I even use The Question to be playful and educate. So I think if you get yourself a support system and go for it, will see that once you have worn it out in public, it gets easier every time.

[JRB]

I was self concoius when I first started veturing out kilted. Take it from me, the more you wear your kilt in public the more comfortable and confident you'll feel. Every time I go out kilted I feel more relaxed than the last time. At this point I usually forget I'm wearing a kilt after a few minutes (aside from the superior comfiness). And I've never had a negative comment. In fact, sometimes I'm disappointed at how few people even pay attention to how I'm dressed.

[sharpdressedscot]

Also, go to the nearest and soonest Highland Games in your area, there's the best place to gain courage to wear the kilt, because everyone else is too (or most of them.)

[ghostlight]

...I'm guessing there are others who've felt a bit exposed when they went from kilts to pants...

...I have tried to explain this to non kilt wearers, but they never seen to believe me...

Agreed. I feel more conservatively dressed in the kilt than I do in trousers. I feel less exposed in the kilt and I don't feel like I'm wrestling the garment just to be generally comfortable.

And I agree with a lot of the others here. Don't psych yourself up too much over it. Wear it around the house until it feels natural and then start wearing it out. If you go out looking comfortable with the way you're dressed, many of the people you see may not even notice that you're wearing the kilt.

[Nick the DSM]

just wear it more and more, you'll get the hang of it.

[ghostlight]

...In fact, sometimes I'm disappointed at how few people even pay attention to how I'm dressed...

My first day publicly kilted, I was pretty nervous.

I was stared at by maybe three to five people who smiled when I noticed them looking. A very conservative and very religious older women in her 70s who lived in my building winked at me and then blushed. One guy at work said, "Wow. That's gutsy. I don't think I could have done it." when he thought I was out of earshot. And a student working the front desk at work said, "Looking good!"

I said, "Thank you."

And when she replied, "Where did you get them?" I realized she was looking too far south and she meant my boots. It turned out that her boyfriend was looking for a pair.

[acstoon]

Atlanta Kiltie hit upon something, that I think you will find the norm:
He mentioned the only negative comment, he experienced, came from a moving car.
Same for me...only negative remark came from some small-minded punk yelling 'nice dress' as he zoomed by in his car. Who cares what a redneck thinks?

You'll find, for the most part, that most negativity (regarding kilts) will come from such cowards, who won't have the guts to say anything to your face.
Think about it:They'll be gone in seconds... and they are the ones running (or driving) away.

All my other experiences have been very positive and/or curiousity.

So put that kilt on, hold your head high, and get out there!