People have active imaginations

[Karl R]

On Saturday, my wife and I attended a 1940s themed dance. Since traditional Scottish styles haven't changed that much in the last 100 years, I wore a kilt, dress shirt, necktie, and Argyll waistcoat. (The dance wasn't fancy enough for a jacket.) And since my kilt sometimes moves in unpredictable ways when I'm dancing, I wore a pair of black briefs underneath. (It's relevant to the story. Otherwise, I wouldn't mention it.)

According to my wife, while I was dancing the following occurred:

• My kilt flipped up in the back.
• For a fraction of a second, people could see underneath.
• Because I have long legs, I was "showing a lot of leg."
• It wasn't obvious that I was wearing something underneath.
• Several of the people who had the best view looked shocked.
• One of them turned to his companions and said, "He's not wearing any underwear!"

I have every reason to believe that my wife's account is accurate. When our eyes don't see everything, our brains fill in the gaps. Those people didn't see my underwear, so their brains filled in enough details that they convinced themselves I wasn't wearing any.

On the way home, my wife started coming up with "helpful" suggestions, such as, "In order to avoid embarrassment, you could wear longer underpants that are more obvious." There were several flaws with her suggestion:

1. I wasn't embarrassed.
2. When it comes to protecting people from being embarrassed by their own imaginations, I feel rather unmotivated to take action.
3. Longer underpants would eliminate the "cooling" benefits of the kilt. (I tend to overheat while dancing, which is why I've repeatedly worn the kilt out dancing.)
4. I specifically chose dark briefs because they'd be less obvious if my kilt flipped around in unexpected ways.
5. I wear briefs. Period. There aren't any longer pairs hanging around the house.

It almost makes me wonder why I bothered wearing briefs.

Has anyone else ended up in a similar situation while kilted?

[Geoff Withnell]

Karl,
Sounds to me like you behaved impeccably. Trying to control what other people think is futile at best.

[Tarheel]

My son used to compete as a "Swing Dancer" in Quincy Ill. in the late 1990s. He wore the long pants popular of the Zoot suit style. The fabric fluffed and allowed air flow around the legs. He said he didn't think of wearing a kilt then but admits that would be the perfect attire. Briefs are his and my choice, as I have found in my feeble attempts at sword dancing, keeps me focused on the task at hand and not the imagination of anyone watching.

Keep to the path you have chosen.

[Macman]

I believe that Riverkilt has posted about a somewhat similar experience. I hope he chimes in!

[Father Bill]

You know, back in the 50s, I remember my mother telling me that most Scots wore a simple black 'breechclout' because it wouldn't be obvious in just such a circumstance.

[OC Richard]

In vintage catalogues from the 1920s and 1930s kilts are sold with matching tartan "kilt drawers".

Back years ago we had a Drum Major who invariably wore bright red briefs.

When the back of his kilt flipped up- an oddly common occurrence- it was obvious to all that he was wearing underwear.

Marching in the front rank of pipers, I had a clear view of these matters.

Below: kilt drawers are mentioned in a 1936 catalogue

[Macman]

Richard, I like the "If worn, ..." bit!

[Fedgunner]

I wear y fronts almost every time I wear a kilt, always dark. One day my wife and I were walking into a venue when a gust of wind caught the back of my kilt and my wife chuckled and said "Matching the kilt today I see".
I was wearing my 13 oz US Army box pleat.

[kingandrew]

I've long thought the idea of kilt drawers--perhaps in silk, cotton, or a lightweight merino rather than tartan material--are due for a revival. Although there are certainly many who relish going regimental, there are those of us with jobs where that would be inadvisable. I'm a teacher and certainly can't risk exposing myself at a school event. But kilt drawers would provide an elegant solution.

As it is, I generally opt for red or black boxer briefs. But I'd love to have drawers that matched my tartan, just in case.

Andrew

[Me cousin Jack]

At the expense of mentioning my unmentionables, I have a pair of boxer briefs that are poly tartan. Probably got em at target, I really don’t remember. I’ll spare you a photo, but they’re red background maybe a generic Stewart if such an animal exists.