Public vs. Private Persona

[GMan]

Hell-o all,

How has your public persona kilt wearing changed your attitude in your private persona as a kilt wearer?

Do you see yourself different as a private person since you are a public kilt wearer?

[Rob Millette]

No difference here; wife tells me I'm just as mean and hard-headed as ever.

[Magnus Sporrano]

I started out being more self-conscious while wearing the kilt, but I think in the ~8 months I've been wearing it I have better self confidence than I did wearing pants, and more extroverted.

[Dreadbelly]

My wife tells me I have become even more obnoxious, but it balances out because I am a heck of a lot sexier.

Not obnoxious toward her though.

[Riverkilt]

Somewhere after I got sober I started figureing out who I was and as I did that my clothing began to become congruent with who I am.

Think it started with little things, like Hawaiian shirts for comfort - even Hawaiian shirt print neckties when a necktie was "required" at work. Then things like Pendleton vests and jean cut chinos came along. Then Z-coil shoes (for comfort more than looks). In the cooler weather I began to buy more "rooster like" shirts...shirts with a pattern I liked, but wasn't so wild, crazy, or loud it made me look like a wandering schizophrenic. Found some good stuff from the Territory Ahead and even J Peterman.

Then I saw my first Utilikilt and followed up and bought one. Since then its been pure addiction. Think I'm up to 11 UKs now with 25 total kilts and another hand sewn traditional tank coming soon from Kathy's Kilts.

I wear kilts most of the time, most places. I don't think they've changed my private me, but they've been part of the process of showing the private me to the world for who I am rather than hiding behind drab or conformist clothing.

On other fronts, I've worn a trim beard for 30 years because that's the private me and it looks much better than my face. Creator gave me both and there's an obvious reason for covering the face with a beard.

When I turned 59 I decided it was time to get some spiritual tattoos. I now have tattoos that are congruent with who I am inside.

I like living true to who I am. Not just in my behaviors, but in the way I clothe myself.

So, for me, its more of having the public me change to fit the private me that's already there rather than changing the private me.

If the private me has changed any its more confidence from taking the risk of being true to myself and surviving the insane and inane comments that come along from time to time. Its a wonder Z Coil shoes don't have a board like this for all the silly things people ask about them. Like Utilikilts, they're another Form Follows Function company.

Ron

www.zcoil.com for the curious...

[Phil Wright]

I agree with Riverkilt. I think earlier years are spent trying to conform, fit in and somewhere find that cutting edge ahead of the rest that means you have that bit more to offer. The nearer side to 40 you realise there are a whole lot more of really important things to think about rather than waste time thinking about what the rest of the crowd think. (I feel I am now qualified following one hell of a birthday this weekend, still soaked and enjoying kilting!)
Phil

[usndoc]

While I have not made it to the daily wear stage, I have to agree with Riverkilt.

I wore my kilt this Friday to a Ceilidh and on the way home stopped by the lodge tent at the Relay for Life event. I made one trip around the track to show my support and took a seat in the tent to relax as it had been a long day. My fiance and I noted that not many people took notice of the kilt. It may have been that there were some pipers there earlier. We discussed how my attitude had changed in the last year and she noted that I carried myself differently than most men even when not wearing the kilt. She seems to think that it is because I have the confidence to not worry about what others think of me.

Sunday, I went shopping and picked up 4 new Hawaiian shirts and I will be getting some more. The same store also had a tshirt with "Not Wearing Underwear" on it. I figured what the heck and grabbed it. So now I can answer the question ;-) No, I probably will not wear it in public due to it not matching my kilt but, I might wear it around the house.

I have gotten to the all about comfort stage. As soon as I can convince the boss that there is a legitimate purpose for the kilt, it will become daily wear.

Doc

[bubba]

I have gotten to the all about comfort stage. As soon as I can convince the boss that there is a legitimate purpose for the kilt, it will become daily wear.

Doc

Tell him it's required for your testicular health.

[Graham]

Glen, another thoughtful post (of the kind we often get from Blu)

I think "inner joy/happiness" both privately and publically is the result of my kiltwearing.
This is in addition to all the comfort/health matters.

I don't think I seperate myself into public and private too much, at least, not that I am aware of.

Like Ron, I've always been a non conformist. When I was young I would get sent home from work for wearing a polka dot tie or a pink shirt.

In the 60's/70's I was a hippie, beads and all.

Now....it's kilts, I love being different in dress, as long as it's decent and clean.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Do you see yourself different as a private person since you are a public kilt wearer?

What on Earth could you mean?

Private: Jim P.
Public: Jimmy Carbomb
:-D