Wearing a kilt for a reason

[billsides]

So I would wear a kilt everyday if I could but my wife thinks it's like wearing a tuxedo. I also am not all that confident and I used to have a bad temper and would get in confrontations a lot (high school age) Ever since I started dating my wife I have worked on my personality to be more mild and to avoid getting in arguments with others. Avoidance is something that has helped a lot. So my kilt wearing has been limited to Celtic concerts, highland games, pipeband functions, and places a tux would be acceptable. Honestly I can only wear my kilt 4 or so times a year.
I try to get kilt nights going and they seem to always flop. So for those of you who don't wear your kilts where ever or when ever. Do you make excuses to wear your kilts? What do you do. Does it bother you that you need a reason to wear your kilt? Am I alone?

I know most here have no worries about wearing a kilt at any time.

I just really want to wear my kilt but I feel I need a reason.

You don't have to try very hard to find reasons to wear a nice kilt, Highland games are everywhere, St Andrews Day, Rabbie Burns Day, any formal or black tie do, join a Scottish Country Dance group, (they are everywhere), street parades like on National days, dress up nights almost regardless of the theme, ordinary dances and whenever you feel like it, reasons can be pretty weak. Don't forget family functions like Christmas and church or car and service club picnics and dinners and on special days at work. I have worn kilts to all of the above repeatedly and recently I met a X Marker abroad and we both wore one. Was that a hoot! I had one on for other functions during the day so have worn them to doctor and dentist, seeing tradesmen and shopping. Not once have I had an adverse comment but have had innumerable complements and they are always a great ice buster at functions that you knew very few people at. I often get asked why don't have my kilt on after having attended such events prior in one. If you are interested enough to buy a kilt and people know you have it they will expect you to wear it, don't disappoint them! The above activities are all appropriate for a tartan Scottish style kilt as they are acceptable almost anywhere, the cargo type kilt I think comes down to the company you keep but wearing one casually at any time is fine but not for formal or business meetings or conferences or anywhere jeans would be frowned on, wear a traditional one then instead.

Bill

Bill

[Steve Barclay]

Taking an example from a certain Mr. W. Axl Rose (for the uninitiated, the singer from the rock band Guns 'N' Roses, known to wear either a Royal Stewart or black PVC kilt on stage on occasion), I wore one to a local rock club a few months back, and got chatted up by a young lady as a result when my wife went to request a record from the DJ (very flattering for a man of my age, but being happily married I didn't act upon it of course, plus the missus would murder me!!!)

[tundramanq]

Steve, That is one asset of kilting that only us single guys can use in safety - A Lot

[Corrie Fee]

I think you are doing a dis-service to your kilt,puting it away and only taking it out for special events.I have had cancer for seven years and a dear friend said to me once that you get a new jumper you put it away and only take it out for special occassions who says you will be alive to wear it then. if something is special it should be worn when and where you want to and I think you should treat your kilt like that and not need a reason to wear it.

I is all a question of confidence, I grow taller and straighter when I wear my kilt and am confident in my self. As you live in New England a beautiful state get out into the woods and trails to build up your confidence in not needing a reason to wear the kilt and to be more independent rather than going to events where you have safety in numbers surrounded by other kilt wearers.

All the best

[thecompaqguy]

I think you are doing a dis-service to your kilt,puting it away and only taking it out for special events....

It is all a question of confidence, I grow taller and straighter when I wear my kilt and am confident in my self... build up your confidence in not needing a reason to wear the kilt and to be more independent rather than going to events where you have safety in numbers surrounded by other kilt wearers.

All the best

Very wise words. Had a mini-breakthrough with the mrs, she likes my black kilt, and has started to give me fashion advice when kilted she said "the plain black kilt goes with anything, though if you're wearing the other patterned ones, try and wear a plain colour shirt with it so colours don't clash"

This coming from someone who hated my kilts with a passion before

Saying that, most days I throw on my kilt if I feel like it, there's no real reason. I could venture out more in the kilt but as said it's down to confidence for a lot of us guys.

[McFarkus]

I wear mine to work occasionally (St. Andrew's Day and a couple of other kilt 'holidays'), but I started a few years ago wearing it to church every week. Now the only time anyone comments on it is on the very rare occasions that I DON'T wear it.

[gpmeakin]

So I would wear a kilt everyday if I could but my wife thinks it's like wearing a tuxedo. I also am not all that confident and I used to have a bad temper and would get in confrontations a lot (high school age) Ever since I started dating my wife I have worked on my personality to be more mild and to avoid getting in arguments with others. Avoidance is something that has helped a lot. So my kilt wearing has been limited to Celtic concerts, highland games, pipeband functions, and places a tux would be acceptable. Honestly I can only wear my kilt 4 or so times a year.
I try to get kilt nights going and they seem to always flop. So for those of you who don't wear your kilts where ever or when ever. Do you make excuses to wear your kilts? What do you do. Does it bother you that you need a reason to wear your kilt? Am I alone?

I know most here have no worries about wearing a kilt at any time.

I just really want to wear my kilt but I feel I need a reason.

In my humble opinion, if you feel you need a reason then you need a reason.
I know there are many who consider the kilt average everyday wear and that's great for them.
I consider my kilt to be "special" attire so I feel a special event is necessary for me to wear it.
Granted, I would like to wear it more often so I do look for more special events that give me the opportunity.

[fpessanha]

I can think of an occasion where wearing a kilt might not be acceptable: cycling!

Other than that... I suppose, when we consider only the external factors, the reasons that might deter some one from wearing are, indeed, socio-cultural. People tend to be rather ignorant and spiteful of one that goes against the grain of "normality".
On the other hand, I don't have a kilt and have never worn one, even if I really want one.
But the principle stands: a kilt is not common atire and others will look at you twice, even in one of those crowded anonymous cities. Some will laugh, some will comment and others will give you the thumbs up. But we're all living in so-called free countries and we may do as we please so long as we don't break the law... There should be no uniforms, but "fashion" is a dictatorship and self consciousness is the gestapo of our own freedom. At least when discussing the message we send out through our clothing. And indeed we do send lots of messages through our sartorial choices.
Being confortable with oneself is of paramount importance. If you feel the slightest bit ridiculous you will be perceived as such. If you are confortable, you won't call for a second glance.
The kilt wearing man (and others that go against the grain because they feel confortable doing so) is a thorn in the backside of the fast-everything society we are living in... So kilt on!
But be wise - there are occasions when you don't need to draw attention to yourself. But that is common sense, is it not?

Let me finish with a quote from a very special person, Damian Day, an autistic man with several other disabilities that has been cycling the world over for several years: "traveling is the only cure for prejudice". That is true - the more cultivated and traveled you are, the more you contact with others. The more you do so, the less likely you are to judge anyone else, other than yourself.

[glenlivet]

Honestly, the only reason I need to wear a kilt is one that is enforced, by law. Apparently it is "illegal" to walk around naked from the waist down, at least in the states anyway.

+1

[tundramanq]

fpessanha, My kilts work very well on the bicycle. I am sitting on the rear to keep the pleats out of the rear tire and the wind plasters the front around the seat post.
Only down side is rumpling the pleats I am sitting on. I would'nt use a wool kilt this way because of the dirt and water off the tires.

Wearing a kilt daily requires a good self esteem. If you have it you don't need the "approval" of the sheeply masses. If you don't have any then you are a slave to peer pressure, fashion trends etc. and are one of the booring masses to be pittied.