Upcoming first day outside..

[Richard_D]

I have allmost finished my first kilt , which is by the way a kilt made by the instructions of an X-kilt, and I am a bit worried about the reaction around people. I have talked about the kilt to my friends and explained stuff about it to them and their attitude towards it have changed. But one problem comes across. Since its an "everyday" kilt it is not made from tartan and it is beige coloured so it doesnt quickly resemble as a kilt to people that dont know anything more about it then the basic look. Also I live in a society that has never had men wear any skirt type of clothing. Live in finland by the way.

So my question is : How have you overcome the stereotypes and peoples laughs and pointings... I am bit shy from my character but still, like a said to my friends, "none of you can go outside wearing something like this and be proud of it... "

How do you cope?

[Big Mikey]

Due to my size I have always stood out in a crowd. I have liked the look and heritage associated with kilt wearing for many years and just discovered casual and affordable kilts in the last year or so. I don't worry about other peoples opinions much. My wife likes me in a kilt, my 18 year old daughter thinks its cool, my parents think its great. Check through the forum for snappy comebacks to negative comments and practice them! Here's a few to get you started.

"What's under the kilt?"
"Boots and socks!"

"Nice skirt!"
"It's only a skirt if you are wearing bloomers!"

"Are you Scottish?"
"Nope, I'm comfortable!"

Good luck!

[JimB]

Finland is a little out of my range of experience, but my advice is not to wear it until you have a sporran and some hose and flashes to go with it. Then it might be more recognizable as a kilt to those not used to seeing them.
Porrick hails from Norway and maybe he can give some better advice for kilting in that part of the world.
But anyway, welcome to XMarks and I am looking forward to seeing how your xkilt comes out.
And one more thing. Don't worry about the laughing and pointing. I'll bet it will not be like you imagine. I was scared to death on my first kilted outing, and now it's no big deal. I've never had a bad comment yet. When I do, and I know I will someday, I will just ignore it and remember all the comliments that I have already gotten.

[The Wizard of BC]

Hello Richard,

If I haven't already, Welcome to X Marks.

WE DON'T COPE! We wear what we want. And you will find that usually the lack of reactions you will encounter will be a let down. I wore a kilt for three months before anyone said anything to me about it. I also have only had three negative comments in four years. Two were from young men driving by in trucks and yelling out the window. One was from a "Tartan Cop" who kept referring to it as a skirt because it wasn't a Tartan. All of them were easily dismissable.

It's actually quite a disappointment that so few people comment. We all fear that first time out in public. We have all felt that anxiety of "will they laugh at me?" or "Will someone think I'm weird?"

The normal or average comment is usually "OH WOW, what a cool kilt!" & "Where can I get one of those?"

So from someone who has worn The Kilt daily for quite awhile my advice is -
Wear your kilt with pride. Take pride that you made it.
When worn with pride there is a power in The Kilt that is unmistakable and everyone, and Women especially, will fall under the power.

Just a word of caution - learn to notice those little noises cell phones make when they take a picture. You WILL start to hear it more often.

[beowulf67]

Welcome.
Like the ancient god of footwear said "Just do it!"

I understand how you feel because I'm a fairly shy person myself, but I tend to feel more confident when I'm walking around in the kilt and I think others pick up on that and leave you alone.

[souzaphone711]

Congratulations. I wouldn't recommend worrying about it but heed Jim B's advice and wear a sporran and hose or at least a sporran with it. I've got a black Utilikilt as my only current kilt so I do occasionally deal with skirt comments but it's simply because I am about 17 and in high school. I public you get far fewer negative comments as most people recognize them for what they actually are. Just be ready with a few good responses and enjoy the extra attention you get from the ladies.

[BEEDEE]

I would just point out the Scots regularly repelled the Viking raiders, some of whom were probably from modern day Finland.

Brian

[cessna152towser]

First time out in a kilt is always intimidating; but once people see you look confident in it they will leave you in peace. I'd agree with the suggestion that you should wear a sporran with it. In my experience a single colour kilt will draw a lot less attention than does a tartan kilt.

[Doc]

Welcome and well met! The hardest part about your first time is just getting out the door, after you have had days or weeks for you mind to come up with every worst case scene. Now you are standing outside and you are ready to freak. I think thats what draws people to comment. To help with all of that (I hope) is the advise I got from my gramps, wear it like you were born to it. Besides, it's like rocky said, most people wont even notice or reply. Good luck and let us know how it went.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... How do you cope?

Quite well, actually.

While I've only owned kilts for 7 years, I've been wearing them out & about for close to 5. I've worn kilts just about everywhere. (Although I must admit, I've never worn a kilt to a comedy club).

The best advice I can give is to take your time and wear it to places yoou're comfortable. Nice restaurants are a good place to start. As JimB suggests, wear a proper kilt belt and a sporran with it. Nice shoes help as well. As you "test the waters" and gain confidence, expand your horizons accordingly.

I also suggest scanning throough the forum for threads on quips and answers. People will test you - it's human nature. If you're prepared, the experience can be lots of fun. Women like men in kilts... but women LOVE confident men in kilts!

The more you do it, the more you enjoy it.