Stopping the nasty comments.

[Robinhood]

I've found a few things that help keep the nasty
comments to a minimum.

When you are around groups of less cultured,
I do what I call the "Cop Walk." Shoulders back,
arms slightly out to the side, head straight up,
mouth closed, no smile. Walk straight, don't
meander or slither. When you look at someone,
look straight at them, and straight in the eye.
This gives you a look of authority, and most
people will respect it.

If you don't need to look real nice, don't. Generally
men don't bother with looking nice, and if you do,
you have to look really formal to bring it above
reproach in casual situations. If you've ever noticed,
a lot of men actually wear dirty clothes. They aren't
usually the ones making comments, though. They
don't care how they look, or how you look. The ones
who make the comments would be afraid to say
something to someone who is man enough to
get that dirty. What you want to do is to look
like you are not trying to be pretty in the same
way these dirty men are not trying.

In this respect, a dark shirt helps. Don't iron it.
Don't wear any sort of dress shoes. If its summer,
don't pull your socks all the way up. (Its also not
so hot that way.)

If you have a sgain dubh, carry it in your sock.

Don't wear your rabbit fur sporran.

I carry a bandana in my sporran chain on one
side, and a watch on a fob on the other. It's
kind of like the key chains etc, that some men
wear from their belt loops. Along with the
sgain dubh maybe you get just a little cool
factor, but it also says "I don't just look like
this, I live like this."

If you wear a hat, make sure it doesn't look wimpy.
Hats are very individual, so a hat that makes me look
wimpy may be fine for you. I wear a pith helmet in
the summer. Not only does it not look wimpy, but
it also is so different, that people have a hard time
connecting a stereotype to it, especially with a kilt.

When I know I'm going to be in a possibly uncultured
group, I make sure to wear a tartan kilt. Blackwatch
is a good one, harder to mistake for a skirt than
a solid color, or one of the more vibrant tartans.

Sometimes the comments will happen no matter
what you do. Alcohol consumption sometimes
has a lot to do with it. Mostly you can just ignore
drunks. They won't remember it five minutes later.
Mostly you can also just ignore the rest of them
as well, but sometimes a response is called for.

I have a few responses that work. When someone
makes the derogetory skirt comment, "What?
You never heard of Braveheart (or Scotland)"
sometimes brings instant respect. Tacking "Boy"
at the end of this really nails it. (Be careful here.)

When someone asks whats under your kilt, (depending
on the tone): Lots of fresh air. from a male - "I don't talk
about that with men." from a female - "You need to
talk to your mommy about such things." from a
really hot chick - "Lets go to your place, and I'll show you."

If someone asks if you are gay (depending on tone):
"No." (in my case) "No, are you" "If you're looking
for boys, look somewhere else."

Why are you wearing a skirt: "Its a kilt, not a skirt."

Why are you wearing a kilt: "Fresh air. Lots of fresh air."

[Kilted KT]

not too bad. I find, that at 6'3, 200+lbs, the "ominous" look is very effective when in an environment where the kilt is obviously causing an unwanted stir. I've found that most everyone knows rule #1, "Don't mess with a guy in a kilt". This may sound a bit overbearing, but for the most part in potentially hostile environment it is sound advice. Walk tall and stand tall in your kilt, regardless of where you are.

I would suggest keeping the ominousness to a bare minimum. No need to send the locals fleeing like scared englishmen!

[Rob Wright]

I would suggest keeping the ominousness to a bare minimum. No need to send the locals fleeing like scared englishmen!

But that's thebest part

Rob

[cormacmacguardhe]

I have found that just a confident atittude, a purposeful stride, and the fact that I am 5'11" and weigh about 280lbs have long hair and a full beard tends to keep the unwanted comments to a minimum. Over the years I have been told by both my family and others that I have a very "macho" look. Whatever that means.
Of course the fact that I live in an area where kilt wearing is not looked upon with disdain does help.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I don't know that you really need to look mean or ominous, but you should definitely walk with confidence and project the image/feeling that you are comfortabl with what you have chosen to wear and could care less what others think. I will use a serious look on my face if I am in a hurry or trying to get something done and don't want to stop and chat with someone, but other times I make sure to give a smile and say Hello to those I encounter. I find it makes them more comfortable if they want to ask a real question about my kilt.

Of course, I am 6' 3" and 225, so my experiences may be different than others.

[Chris Webb]

In my essay, "The 4 C's of Kilting", which can be found both here and at Kiltmen.com, I discuss the issue of Courage. Confidence, true confidence, is an element of Courage. What follows is an excerpt from that essay:

"Courage: You must invest in the development of your own personal Courage. Develop your body so that you know in your heart that you will look damned good in your kilt. Invest in your mind by studying and learning ways to answer questions, deflect flak and even physically intimidate (non-violently) those who may try to intimidate you. Courage thrives on preparation. Freedom loves and respects Courage."

Acting confident, being confident, requires personal courage. Not a soul on this board would deny that at one point or another, particularly in their first experiences at wearing a kilt, they had to build up the courage to do it the first time.

Courage.

Kilt On.

Chris Webb

[Chris Webb]

By the way, Robinhood, I really enjoyed your post.

Kilt On.

Chris Webb