Wore trews on first date

[Burly Brute]

3. For some reason which is totally beyond me, there's a fashion trend with some young people now to wear pajama bottoms as pants, "out and about". Hey, I didn't make up this trend, I just have observed it. It's to the point where there are now "pajama bottom" flannel pants...usually plaid of some kind.... with elastic waistbands being sold in the clothing department. It's likely that's what the young man was wearing when he showed up to school in "trews".

Is it just me, or do fads seem to make very little sense? I am going to take a leap of faith and guess that some teenager in highschool was late one day, didnt change into outerwear, and went to school. Upon seeing this, people probably thought he was trying to make a "statement. *sigh*

[GG]

post pictures of you wearing the kilt on E Harmony and other sites.

To me it sounds like a very good advice.

Greg

[BoldHighlander]

post pictures of you wearing the kilt on E Harmony and other sites.

+2

[artificer]

Is it just me, or do fads seem to make very little sense? I am going to take a leap of faith and guess that some teenager in highschool was late one day, didnt change into outerwear, and went to school. Upon seeing this, people probably thought he was trying to make a "statement. *sigh*

I think the whole pajama bottoms as 'acceptable trousers' came about in a slow devolution from "Skidz" in the late 80's, then "Zubas" and other lounge pants in the 90's-00.

[acolander]

Tartan trews just aren't normal fare these days. Trews, sadly, have pretty much been resigned to a laughing stock among 99% of regular people, and are only seen being worn by certain Scotsmen who, for various reasons, will not wear a kilt but want to be traditional, and by those who parody the idea of "golfer's pants", and even by clowns as part of their costume. They are not mainstream attire.

[Pith on!] Balderdash & poppycock, I say, and quite beg to differ!![Pith off!]

Whilst I completely agree trews are not mainstream attire outside a Scottish regt or the historical re-enactment thereof, my own personal experience of few or more compliments everytime trews are worn and the enquiries that oft follow of how to acquire such splendid attire is most contrary to what you have posited above.

Perhaps location may account for some differing in perception, acception, or reception as the case may be, but in the so-called "eclectic" neighbourhood of Seattle and Sydney AU (and for those in the know the answer is no, I am not gay) being trewed whether casually, professionally, or more formally has been overwhelmingly a positive experience and no more negative than being kilted.

Speaking of mainstream however, it may be of some worth noting that earlier this year some chap called Ralph was flogging tartan trousers through mainstream high-end retail outlets such as the likes of Nordstroms. Although I am not certain as to how well they were received, I am certain the almost $600 price tag was not very conducive towards sales regardless of his apparent well reknowned and respected status as the "classic American" fashion moghul or how exceptional the tartan trousers may have been.

Even so, in this thread a few have already noted an apparent fashion trend of covering one's legs in tartan. Whether it remains to be jammy bottoms, plaid pants, or perhaps even eventually tartan trousers has yet to be seen, and the jury is still out. Be that as it may, I can personally attest to this apparent trend as just last week I had my first enquiry as to where I got my "sick" jammies, this coming from a tweener or teen-ager.

While we all endeavour to be supportive of each other here (and I sympathize with you on account of her decidedly un-ladylike and vulgar words), I daresay that sometimes we forget that our own exuberance concerning "all things tartan" are not shared by everyone else, and that we should sometimes factor in the opposite viewpoint when making sartorial decisions. That, or grow extremely thick skin and a devil-may-care attitude about what others think. After all, we must be realists when we go out in the real world.

[Pith on!] Balderdash & poppycock, I say again, and daresay the above posited notion is nearly treason to tartan if not to ones self!! [Pith off!]

The mainstream sartorial thinking of the opposite viewpoint is more oft akin to a flock rather than a fox, and I will add further that from both a personal and professional experience of 20+ years such thinking is more prevelant amongst men, unless one happens to be black, gay, or possessed by a smart sartorial sense as that is oft from whom I receive both compliments and enquiries about acquiring either my manner of professional attire or trews..

Again, the difference in either perception or experience may be one often expressed or closely associated in realty - Location, location, location!

Of course, a devil-may-care attitude is a desirous trait that may see one through to sartorial success, or barring that a good thick skin may be an alternative, but comes w/ no guarantee nor measure of success. Perhaps most important and more rare is a smart sartorial sense, be it inate or learnt from formal study, keen observation, trial by fire, or all the above, and the confidence in such that often determines the outcome of encounters and carry the day in one's favour.

Afterall, even realists in the real world may be relatively deemed flock, fox, or worse, laughing stock.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Afterall, even realists in the real world may be relatively deemed flock, fox, or worse, laughing stock.

Well said, indeed!

[acolander]

I tend to agree, if these were really military style (tighter fitting, highwaisted etc.) tartan trews, I'm not surprised that she was taken aback, and had some "issues".
You have to realize, that style is farther outside the the average citizen's experience than kilts are! They, or any plaid trousers to be honest, wouldn't be my first choice for a 1st date in any event. It sounds like the kilt would have been better, she already knew you wore one.

From the brief description given it would appear that you are unaware that there are namely two different styles of military trews, the tailored officer/mess dress type (aka "skins") as you describe above and the standard OR issue variety that are cut like a higher waisted suit/dress trousers or chinos, ie straight-cut waist w/ wide belt loops, standard size side pockets, and loose-cut or roomy in the legs vs higher v-back/fishtail cut waist for braces w/ no belt loops, small pocket in the waist or no pocket, and cut snug down the leg so as to hug them, like a second skin and hence their nickname.

There are at least another one or two more different styles of trews that were worn by particular regiments, such as those worn by officers of the KOSB.

Considering the more recent and surplus availability of OR issued trews as opposed to the officer/mess dress variety, I would wager the OP was wearing the former rather than latter style of military trews.

As to wearing them on a first date.. Mate, I've been chatted up numerous times when wearing trews, so not only do I wear them (or kilt) on a first date, I wear them (or kilt) if I want to get a first date!! Most women I've found appreciate a man that is willing to break from the mold considererd the "norm" and dare to be different, it's really no different than wearing a kilt in that regard. All one really needs is confidence to pull it off!

And judging by the replies, I am really amazed at the apparent lack of confidence and support amongst so many kilties!

[thescot]

I don't mean to sound calloused or indifferent, but it sounds to me like you dodged a bullet. You are to be congratulated.

Count your blessings. All you have invested is time on the phone and one trip. Better to find out that you are not compatible now rather than later.

We all like whether kilted or in trousers. And on your next date, wear whatever you like. If the girl doesn't like it, and the choice of trousers or kilt is a deal killer, then find out early.

[thescot]

P.S. Tartan trousers are to be found in several prominent mens' departements lately, so I have to say that they aren't exactly strange attire. At least not in the US.

[cessna152towser]

So, after a few exchanges of e-mails you have made that first date with some lady you found on the internet. You want her to get used to the idea that you are a kilt wearer from the moment you meet, yet you don't want to upstage her by outdressing her. This is my usual formula for a first date, so far its been 100% successful in leading to a second date if desired, the usual reaction is "cool" or "fashionable" or "a man with confidence", then if subsequent dates fail to lead to romance that's down to other factors than choice of clothing.
Maybe you will meet for lunch, and if that goes OK you will go for a walk together after lunch, visit a museum, and end up going back somewhere for a coffee.
Depending on weather, perhaps a tee-shirt or polo shirt, with a pullover on top, pullover tucked into kilt and if weather is cold a flight jacket or bomber jacket on top, with an elasticated waist on the jacket so as to show as much of the kilt and sporran. A plain black sporran with a kilt in a muted tartan such as Highland Granite. A solid colour kilt or Utilikilt might work in North America but is probably too out of the norm for wearing on a first date in Scotland, you can always introduce the Utilikilt later if you get to know her better. Black or charcoal grey hose with no flashes, or whichever other dark colour of hose matches the dark tartan you have chosen. A nicely polished pair of black shoes, though if the weather is snowy or icy hiking boots are better as you are going to be walking out together and you don't want to take a tumble on a slippy surface. Just my twopence worth.