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

[auld argonian]

What - for the love of God - could be MORE conservative than the kilt? Okay...maybe a toga or something.

Whoever said above that you should wear it on special Scottish occasions has a good point...and that's a starting point. Remember, though, that there care an awful of of Scottish Holidays...there was a thread some time ago that enumerated some of them...plenty of anniversaries of battles, lots of significant Scots birthdays...you get the drift.

And I will say it again...has anybody looked around and seen how some of the other kilt-less people are dressing these days? So who has the right to criticize a guy for wearing a kilt? Oy vey! One of the things that they're showing for men this summer is oversized, baggy, plaid shorts...would you rather wear baggy-*** shorts that look like they're too big or a kilt that actually fits?

Conservative? Hey...just look at the membership of this forum and you'll see some guys who should rate as pretty conservative...lots of current and ex-military, couple of federal employees...kilts have nothing to do with your social or political views; they are just another piece of MEN'S clothing.

I've got a buddy who gets all weirded out by my showing up in a kilt yet he wears shorts all summer...frankly, you see more of his exposed body in shorts than you do mine wearing a kilt but he still thinks that I'm somehow being weird and an exhibitionist or something. I'd guess that a whole lot of people get weird because they are asking "The Question" whether out loud or in their own heads...my current standard answer is delivered rather coldly, "Excuse me, but if you knew me, you would know that I am a very modest person and I assure you that modesty will be maintained at all times. Kapish?"

Get out there and see how it goes...you'll probably find quite a few people who actually find it interesting and different and you'll get more compliments than criticism.

Best

AA

[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.

[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.

[ChattanCat]

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.

No, everyone will notice. That's just it, you get respect for wearing it. You get noticed. People who you don't know feel at ease to ask you questions about the kilt. I love it.

[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.)