To wear or not to wear

**michael steinrok** · 23rd May 06, 03:12 PM

So I was talking to the owner of the apartment building I manage and the topic of dress code came up. He was being diplomatic put his direction was clear. He also mentioned that he might be treading on "thin ice here" I laughed and told him he was. Then he said that by wearing a kilt I was making the market of available females a lot smaller. I laughed again and told him that I'm not going to lure some female type into a relationship and spring the kilts on her later. That's called an "I gotcha"

What's all this about then. Here goes Why I wear a kilt. Wearing a kilt for me is a Badge of honour. It gives me a somewhat unique distinction. It says "I belong". The kilt is a recognizable trademark of a getleman or a warrior. It is a throwback to the past that is an instintive sign of a protector and women know it. Most women like kilts ,do they not? They want their man to wear one, right? Even as a kid watching war movies on saturday morning,and seeing the kilted ladies from hell. I remember my dad telling me that the germans were scared silly when it came to the Scots. For me it is a sign of respect and courage and even honour. I for one am proud to wear a kilt be it a 4 yard or 8. It matters not.

What motivations do you guys have?

**Mysticwolf** · 23rd May 06, 04:33 PM

Michael,
For me, a newbie to the kilt, I think it was a desire to connect to my Scots heritage (Mother Scots, Father Irish) and also a desire to be somewhat different that have been the primary motivations.
Interestingly enough, the thing that finally did it for me was the urging of our parish priest, himself of German heritage, to go kilted. His wife (we are Eastern Orthodox, where priests may and usually do marry) is of Scots heritage and her sister had a kilted wedding. Father and the three boys all rented kilts for the occasion and were so taken by them that they purchased their own and have since been, shall we say, "spreading the gospel".
Since then several of the men in our parish have purchased their own. Father has also written a liturgical service for the "Kierkan 'O The Tartans" celebrated 30 Nov, St. Andrew's Day.
I too have come to understand and appreciate how ultimately "male" kilt wearing is, and I like it!
The Mystic Wolf

**Rex_Tremende** · 23rd May 06, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by michael steinrok

What motivations do you guys have?

My connection to the MacGregor's is too remote and my pedigree way too mixed up to feel a strong connection to warriors or a Scottish homeland. What drew me to the kilt was boredom with the same [black|khaki|navy|brown|olive] trousers and denim jeans that every other guy wears. I have zero - that is zero -interest in wearing women's clothes, but I do envy their range of choices. The kilt opens up whole new possibilities: casual or formal, solid or tartan, austere or colorful, modern or traditional, plain or accessorized. It's comfortable, it boosts my self-confidence, and it's a man-thing.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 23rd May 06, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mysticwolf

...the thing that finally did it for me was the urging of our parish priest, himself of German heritage, to go kilted. His wife (we are Eastern Orthodox, where priests may and usually do marry) is of Scots heritage and her sister had a kilted wedding. Father and the three boys all rented kilts for the occasion and were so taken by them that they purchased their own and have since been, shall we say, "spreading the gospel"...

So is this our own Prester John of which you speak?

**Southern Breeze** · 23rd May 06, 07:14 PM

Deep down,for me it is a sign of respect,courage and honour for my ancesters. Plus it's comfortable in all conditions.

**LuxMundi** · 23rd May 06, 08:09 PM

Seems like the older I get, the more conformist I appear to be (house in the suburbs, 2.2 kids, family vehicles, etc, etc.........

however, very few people will charge you with conformity while you are wearing a kilt!

I have wanted one for so long, I actually can't remember why*; combination of heritage and a little rebelliousness. I always thought that you had to spend big $$$ researching your tartan and then travel to Scotland, and pay $500-$1000. It was not until I found this site that I saw that was not the case. So thanks for all the people that have posted here for helping me take the plunge!

*after wearing my new kilt, I actually remembered a (repressed memory?) event of me wearing a kilt in a 1st grade play. So that is probably what made me want one!

**LuxMundi** · 23rd May 06, 08:15 PM

No matter what I or anyone else posts here, the true reason we are drawn to kilts.....

A sentient Blancmange from planet Skyron of the Andromeda galaxy has turned us all into kilt-wearing Scots.

"You see, people don't just turn into a Scotsman for no reason at all... "

**Southern Breeze** · 23rd May 06, 08:35 PM

The true reason is FREEDOM!!

**NewKilt** · 23rd May 06, 09:32 PM

The big reason for me is comfort due to multiple disabilites. It makes my life much easier. My ancestory is Scott-Irish, and wearing a kilt has really sparked my interest in Scottish and Irish history. Also, I think it sends a message that we are confident in who we are. I think women recognize this.

If you missed it, I'm in a newspaper article for wearing the kilt. There is a link to the article in the general discussion thread "I'm in the media for wearing a kilt." It may be submitted for Associated Press coverage. I hope it causes other men to consider the kilt as a viable alternative whether they are disabled or not.

Darrell

**Robin** · 24th May 06, 03:34 AM

Wearing a kilt is "typical me"

I guess I'm a bit of a rebel...always been.
Nobody I know was surprised when I started to wear kilts, all expect me to go left when the rest of the world goes right.

When I finished school (ages ago) all my friends went to some beach in Spain...I went to Scotland to sit on a hill in the middle of nowhere. That's me.

I'm an outdated romantic dreamer