My first kilt!

[auld argonian]

I've only just started wearing kilts myself... I was a little apprehensive @ first, as not many black guys wear them.

Hey! Samuel L Jackson was THE tipping point for my getting a kilt. I was watching Monarch of the Glen and thought that Duncan looked cool and why not get a kilt and then I saw Samuel L show up on Jay Leno in his kilt...that was it...I figgered that if he had the cahones (and the sense of style) to wear it, I just HAD to dive in.

Best

AA

[The Barry]

I second pretty much everything that has already been said.

1) Go ahead and go for the SK Black Watch. It's a universal tartan, looks great, decent weight, etc.

2) By all means get a sporran. They are wicked handy and without one, the kilt can look a bit "man-skirt"-ish.

3) You can skip the kilt pin, they aren't necessary. If you find one that you like, go for it. But beware, they can catch on things and rip your kilt apron. And that's lame.

4) If you're looking to really knock the ladies out, go for some black 8" boots, black or gray hose, black leather belt (as wide as possible, and studded if you have/can get one), and black leather sporran. This really sets off the kilt and just so happens to be wicked comfortable. For casual wear, I almost always pair my kilts with boots, it's a great look.

5) Beware the instant swagger. The kilt will change a man. The kilt is powerful and should be worn with caution. Maybe pack some mace in your sporran in case you get mauled by hoards of young ladies who have never witnessed a man so powerful as one in a kilt.

6) Have fun, be yourself, and always have an answer to the question: "what do you wear underneath your kilt" and all of that question's variants.

[McNulty]

Another High School teacher here (English and Creative Writing) and I admire and congratulate your desire to be yourself. Peer pressure today has gotten exponentially greater than when my sons were growing up.
On a budget? Who isn't? Go with SWK Standard as they are probably the best bang for the buck. Either a BW or the MacKenzie would be fine. Cabellas has large width belts for a super affordable price. I'm picky when it comes to my sporran, so I'd shop around, and brown seems to be a color that goes with most kilts. Hose are on sale at Scottish Kilts/ Tartan Web for $16 and Jas. Townsend has good wool hose for an excellent price.
I wear my kilt to school at least every Friday to celebrate my cultural heritage. Initially the students looked at me like I was nuts and whispered behind my back. I've gotten over that and now they are asking serious questions about my heritage , kilt, culture and I return the favour and ask them about theirs.
Chick magnet, yes! I'm married, and shrug off the attention I sometimes get from the female population at school, but my youngest son wears a kilt, is single, and testifies to the effect that a kilt has on the opposite sex.
Get one, wear it at home to get used to the feeling, and slowly introduce yourself to the rest of the world, one small comfortable step at a time. Your confidence will grow the more you wear one. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Nulty

[CDNSushi]

On the topic of kilt pins: this also can be done super-cheaply. Unless you want something really nice or really specific, kilt pins can be had for only a few dollars. The cheapest way is to just get a "military safety pin." That's what I did for my first kilt -- Jerry at Stillwater sells those too.

[Phogfan86]

I agree. The military kilt pins at SWK are $3. Just do it.

[Nighthawk]

I'm currently looking at a variety of kilts to buy. I am very excited as this will be my very first kilt.

I am however, first seeking answers to a few questions.

As an american teen, many of us are somewhat skeptical of trying dramatic new things and making sudden, drastic lifestyle changes. This also applies to me; however, thus far I have not been discouraged. I guess my main question is this: Is there anyone else out there that's worn a kilt since they were a teen? How did their friends react. Did you announce it openly before hand? etc, etc...

Also, I'm of a bit awkward decent for wearing a kilt. I am part Swedish, part Italian, and a small bit German, however, I have no Anglo in me at all. Is it even socially acceptable for me to wear a kilt? Should I pick a particular tartan over another, or even a solid color?

That aside, I'm currently looking at a Stillwater Standard Kilt for my first one. It seems to be a good value. Does anyone else have one of these kilts?

I do want to have a kilt that fastens with buckles instead of velcro. I'm not particularly large and I feel a velcro fastener would be too loose.

I do intend to wear my kilt as a general purpose garment, i.e. from school to informal family gatherings. Would a Stillwater standard kilt suit my needs well? If not, what are some other options?

I don't want a Utilikilt. I feel that they're too expensive.

On that note, I should mention I'm on a budget, and will probably buy the least expensive kilt that meets my criteria.

Should I buy a sporran? I do need to keep my wallet handy and I don't want to fumble around in my backpack, but it is more money to spend.

AH! I have so many questions. I am grateful to anyone who helps me answer any of these questions. Thanks!

Welcome to the Colorado rabble, brother!

So- to answer your questions:

About being awkward and afraid of drastic lifestyle changes- I was always a metalhead (if the term still exists!) so it was not at all uncommon for us to be way outside of the social norm. If it fits you then peer pressure be damned. Never be ashamed of who and what you are.

Second- on lineage: Italian... You ever see the way the Roman Legions dressed? They wore knee length belted tunics. Italian men were wearing unbifurcated garments before Christ was born, so it makes good sense. If it was good enough for the toughest military in history (not to mention the modern legions of kilted U.S. military men) then it's certainly good enough for you.

So what type should you get? Since price is a consideration, as it is for all of us, and you have tartan questions, I would honestly suggest an Amerikilt from www.amerikilts.com I have one and I love it. It comes with it's own attached sporran, which takes the cost of that out of the equation. Only problem with them is that they aren't especially warm, which is a consideration here in Denver this time of year. Man, the wind today was brutal! I was greatful for my Lewis Rich socks... Talk about toasty! But I digress. If you want something warm, a Stillwater standard is deffinately a good way to go. I have three and am very happy with them, and the customer service cannot be beaten. (I have a Black Stewart, a Weathered MacKenzie, and a saffron.)

On sporrans- if you get a more traditional kilt, like a Stillwater, then you'll need and want a sporran. You won't look quite complete without one, and you need somewhere to keep all your crap! I know I sure do... Digging through them for change is a pain, though.

I've sent you a PM. If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a message back. If I don't have the answers, I'll help you find them.

And one more thing... from another cold Coloradoan.

[Robert MacNaughten]

I think I am perfect to help (I am an American teenager and I wear a kilt ALL THE TIME)

As an american teen, many of us are somewhat skeptical of trying dramatic new things and making sudden, drastic lifestyle changes. This also applies to me; however, thus far I have not been discouraged. I guess my main question is this: Is there anyone else out there that's worn a kilt since they were a teen? How did their friends react. Did you announce it openly before hand? etc, etc...

*I too am an American teen, and I wear my kilt to school every day. When I first started, I will be brutally honest here, people made jokes about me. Most Americans just don't understand the difference between a KILT and a SKIRT. But after a while, people will grow used to it and even respect you more. Believe me, it's good to wear a kilt out of the house.

Also, I'm of a bit awkward decent for wearing a kilt. I am part Swedish, part Italian, and a small bit German, however, I have no Anglo in me at all. Is it even socially acceptable for me to wear a kilt? Should I pick a particular tartan over another, or even a solid color?

*I suggest you wear a "non-clan tartan" kilt. If you are looking for a more Scottish tartan, try 'Pride of Scotland' or 'Caledonia'. If you prefer an Irish look, 'St. Patrick' and 'Irish National' are fine choices.

I do want to have a kilt that fastens with buckles instead of velcro. I'm not particularly large and I feel a velcro fastener would be too loose.

*Definately choose buckles. Velcro does not suit a kilt.

I don't want a Utilikilt. I feel that they're too expensive.

*Personally, I find Utilikilts quite unnatractive and defeat the purpose and tradition of an 8-yard tartan kilt.

On that note, I should mention I'm on a budget, and will probably buy the least expensive kilt that meets my criteria.

*If you're really that desperate, eBay offers dozens of kilts that can be as cheap as 30-50 dollars

Should I buy a sporran? I do need to keep my wallet handy and I don't want to fumble around in my backpack, but it is more money to spend.

*Aye, definately buy a sporran. Again, eBay is an excelent supplier of bargain kilts and kilt accesories.

[Nighthawk]

*Aye, definately buy a sporran. Again, eBay is an excelent supplier of bargain kilts and kilt accesories.

Here's a good one: http://stores.ebay.com/GEOFFREY-MADE-FOR-SCOTTISH They have some nice looking sporrans. After Christmas, I plan to patronize them myself.

And another welcome! Wow! 2 newbies here!

[Carolina Kiltman]

I Is there anyone else out there that's worn a kilt since they were a teen? How did their friends react.

I got my first one at about your age (Harry Truman was president then!) when the entire family (I am number seven of nine) descended along with all the cousins on Mull for my Maternal Grandparents golden wedding anniversary.

A bit of a different situation I'll admit. I did continue to wear that kilt for the next 25 years or so on special occasions, (I grew up rather than out) but not all that frequently. (The US Navy did not have the Kilt as part of the uniform.)

Yes, you will most certainly need a sporran, as has been noted, a Kilt has no pockets. (Well most of them anyway). In addition, it advertises that you are wearing a kilt rather than a skirt.

As for the hose, perhaps you can pick up a pair of Soccer hose which are much cheaper. They don't look quite as nice as Kilt hose, but will do if money is really tight.

Anyway, go for it!

[macwilkin]

If you are of Italian heritage, you may wish to consider the following tartans:

http://www.clansmanitalia.com/

And this web site about the Italian community in Scotland, has a few more articles, links, etc. about this tartan (and others) that you might like to peruse:

http://www.scotsitalian.com/culture.htm

There is also a tartan for the City of Rome:

http://www.caledoniansocietyofrome.org/html/Tartan.html

Cheers,

Todd