I finally did it

[Shamalama]

After years of being too scared I finally bought a kilt - and wore it in public.

[editor's note: I -did- have my Marine son with me in case someone wanted to start something in my redneck Georgia town]

First let me say that I settled on a Stillwater Kilt, standard weight, in Stewart black. In order to keep their costs low Stillwater only offers a few selections. But after an online order I had the kilt in my hands in three business days.

I ran to the bedroom and put it on with dress shoes and a tux shirt and jacket. When I presented myself to my bride she was pleasantly surprised that the ensemble looked nice. I think she feared that with me being such a long way from hunky Sean Connery that I'd simply look like a old fool.

The second step was to trade in my tux jacket for a CelticRadio t-shirt that I had won this past spring (and was waiting for this event to showcase). I then grabbed my son and headed to town.

The first stop was Kroger, a grocery store. And as you know it the items we needed were on the opposite side of the store from the entrance. But I sucked it up and walked like I had nothing to worry about. And, surprisingly, it was both fun and casual. Oh, to be sure, I got my share of stares, but I didn't hear any giggles or off-color comments.

Our next stop waws Best Buy, an electronics store. My son was looking for new computer speakers (in the absolute back of the store), so in we went. Everything was find until I noticed some guy, around 20-years-old, was standing a bit too close and staring at me. I turned to him and he asked me "Where are you from"?

I replied, "From here".

He returned with, "Uh, but what's your ancestry?"

I started thinking about me standing here wearing a kilt, and this guy was wondering what my ancestry was. Should I reply "German", or "African", or "Eskimo"? But I said, "Scottish".

He rambled on for a short time about a local Oktoberfest which I guess we thought was started by the Scots.

We returned home and I remained in my kilt the rest of the evening. The only other interesting event was when the pizza guy arrived. As I was trading him my money for his pizza he asked me if I had just returned from some kind of event. I told him no, that I just liked wearing a kilt. I'm not sure how he took it.

All in all I have to admit that I DID like wearing my new kilt. I'm NOWHERE at the point where I will start wearing one everyday to work or to church, but today was fun and won't be the last time I wear one in public.

[Bob C.]

Congrats, man, and thanks for adding a picture. That's a sharp looking kilt.

I've been considering a Stillwater to complement my traditional tank. I'm getting more convinced all the time.

[Rigged]

Congratulations on your first kilted day! It gets easier and easier.

[GMan]

Great to hear that the initial jitters were relieved by all the great comments. It definetly does get better!

Congratulations!

[Sir Robert]

Good for you!

[Mike1]

I'm NOWHERE at the point where I will start wearing one everyday to work or to church...

You forgot to say "yet". ;-)

[Kirkwood]

Welcome to the dark side.

[Blu (Ontario)]

.... I'm NOWHERE at the point where I will start wearing one everyday to work or to church...

That's not important unless YOU set that as a goal. Corporate rules regarding attire notwithstanding, what IS important is to wear your kilt WHERE and as often as YOU deem appropriate. Reserve that decision for yourself alone.

[bear]

Nice Pic, and well done on your first outing.
I like the shirt, particularily as I am a Celtic Radio sponsor.
And a lot of guys will tell you that the sneakers and low socks look doesn't work with kilts.
I think it works great in a casual setting, particularily when the kilt is a bit on the long side, as is yours.
I prefer a sporran for holding some stuff and covering other stuff but that's a personal call, though it does help identify a kilt as a kilt to the kilt-wise uneducated.
When I decided to wear kilts full time, some two and a half years ago, I didn't do a lot of thinking about it, or any ramifications for work or home. Partly because Vancouver is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and we Vancouverites are used to seeing various ethnic garments on a daily basis. But partly because I trust my own judgement above that of others.
I think the latter is a characteristic you'll find in most men that only wear kilts.

[davedove]

That's not important unless YOU set that as a goal. Corporate rules regarding attire notwithstanding, what IS important is to wear your kilt WHERE and as often as YOU deem appropriate. Reserve that decision for yourself alone.

That's been my philosophy as well. If you want to wear a kilt all the time, that's great. If you only want to wear it for certain events, that's great too. The main thing is that it's your choice and you wear it with confidence. Personally, I am far from being a full-time kilt wearer, but I decide when I want to wear it.

By the way, Shamalama, congratulations on your "coming out." I've got a Black Stewart Stillwater as well, and I think they look really sharp. You look good in yours.