[NewKilt]

I'm relatively new to X Marks (I joined in early August). In my original newbie post, I had mentioned that I am disabled due to a disease that is damaging my peripheral nervous system. I had become curious about kilts as a garment to help with my medical condition because the sweat glands in my legs no longer function, and I thought wearing a kilt might provide me with some extra air conditioning to prevent overheating.

I'm happy to report that I now have 7 kilts and wear them everyday, including to parks, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Now I have to be honest and tell you that all 7 of my kilts are SportKilts. I order them with sewn down pleats, belt loops, and a custom length that just touches the top of the knee. I have a flat backside, and the kilts hang very well and evenly from my waist, even though they are not custom tailored.

I know from the amount that I have spent, that I could have 2 well-tailored traditional kilts that would last a lifetime. In my case, a lifetime is a rather relative term since I face a 50% probability that my condition will be fatal within 5 years. So, I decided to go with less expensive, casual kilts (pretend kilts as some might call them), which has given me the pleasant task of deciding which kilt to wear on a particular day.

So far, wearing my SportKilts in public has resulted either in no response at all from other people, or very positive responses. One women leaving a grocery store as I was just entering remarked, "How wonderful to see a man wearing a kilt." She went on to say that men in the US should lose their "John Wayne" attitude, and that the kilt was a natural garment for a man to wear.

A checkout girl at a convenient store remarks "fabulous looking kilt." A workman at a local city park came to a table where I was seated and remarked, "my ancestors wore kilts." He asked me to stand because he really liked the "plaid." I expained to him that the plaids are actually called tartans, and the one I was wearing was the official USA tartan. He asked about my kilt pin (a sword with an Irish clover), and I told him it was Irish. I explained that my ancestory was Irish, and that I wore the Irish kilt pin with the USA tartan to honor my ancestory, and to honor the Irish immigrants that played a major role into building this country into what it is today.

To summarize, I have fallen in love with these garments. Everyone who has commented to me about them has immediately called them a kilt. So even though they are SportKilts, I wear them with pride and dignity for what they represent.

Darrell Kennedy Lawrence

[Robert Lamb]

Darrell
I have two Sportkilts and they are my lounge and work around the house kilts.
They are wonderful kilts for what they are. I have had mine for over four years and are still going strong. The cotton one I wear every day in the warm weather and is getting stained but is still in good shape for the use it gets. My cotton/wool blend does not get such rough use and looks almost as good as new.
Sportkilts are a good choice.
God Bless
Robert "the kilted" Lamb

[GMan]

Darrell,

Glad that you found the joy and comfort of kilt wearing.

Truly great experiences you shared with us. Thank You!

[Kilted Stuart]

You sound like your apoligising for wearing a kilt that makes you comfortable and happy. You find something that works for you and you stick with it. Many will tell you to venture out and try a more custom kiltmaker. You might someday, but some people stick with what works for them. Not all kilts are for everyone. There are many that are off the rack ( they don't always fit right). There all made a wee bit different. Thats the beauty in it.
I'm not a big fan of certan kilts, I find some of them always look like they don't fit people, are old and beat up when there new and need an iron. I have my favorites and I stand by them like you do.

Enjoy what works for you.
Kilted Stuart

[Graham]

Darrell, thanks for sharing that touching story of your growing love for kilts.
I'm thrilled that you are finding comfort and joy in wearing the most wonderful garment for men in the world.

[NewKilt]

Kilted Stuart:

I think you are correct. My post did sound like an apology for wearing Sport Kilts. What I should have said is that with a wide belt and sewn down pleats a Sport Kilt can actually look quite nice for casual wear. I certainly like them, and the light weight has been a Godsend for my medical condition.

They have also got me hooked on wearing a kilt because I like the comfort and the appearance, and this great forum has given me the confidence to wear them every day - at home and out in public. I'm sure that I will eventually get some negative comment when I'm out and about (hasn't happened yet), and when it does I'm ready for it. At 6' 0" and 260 pounds I suspect that any negative comment will come from a distance. Especially when I wear my USA tartan and my white t-shirt that has the US flag and a bald eagle looking straight at you. It has the message, "Cross the Line, Your Ass is Mine."

Darrell Kennedy Lawrence

[possingk]

It is great to hear about your experiences with sport kilt and that you like the way they look with the belt buckles and sewn down pleats, I have been eyeing the USA tartan for a while. Since I heard all the comments on here about 'pretend kilts' and the fact that to get one in my size and with sewn down pleats and buckles it costs as much as a USAKilt casual, I have hesitate.

I will definitely add it to my wish list now though. Thanks for the comments, and it is great to hear from someone who enjoys wearing kilts everyday.

[macsim]

Great story Darrell. We're both proud and fortunate to have you here with us.

[Alan H]

Excellent story.

Regarding Sport Kilts, mate...if it works for you, then go with it.

[Sherry]

It's great that kilts have given you a freedom & comfort you might not otherwise have. Thanks for telling up about yourself.

Sherry