Kilt Trip update: Day 56

[PJ Hansen]

Hey there!
I'm a new member and haven't posted beyond my initial post. I've been having quite the adventure wearing a kilt everyday through 2018. Thus far, it's been an almost 100% positive experience. Wearing a kilt usually brings multiple smiles and many conversation starters my way - as I'm sure is the case for most of us. People wonder why, where my bagpipes are, or if I'm heading to a special event. The surprise really comes when I tell them I wear a kilt everyday. I've been asked odd questions: "Are you Greek?" (what?!), "Aren't you worried about your privates getting frostbite?" (it's been severely cold up here in Montreal - 35C and I'm still out and about), and the weirdest question, "Your wife lets you out wearing kilts?" (Come to find out, the lady thought kilted men were way too sexy and any wife was crazy for letting their guy out in public wearing one!)
My struggles are all about hose (not enough pairs, so it's endless washing) and shoes. Right now, we still have so much ice and snow on the sidewalks, I can't really wear anything except my winter boots. Outside of my one pair of brogues, I was wondering what other kinds of footwear work?
I have seven kilts now and two more on the way. My other question is -- are there any of you out there who wear tartans that are not part of your clan or ancestry? I'm 25% Johnston(e) with bits of Morrison, Stewart, and some others in my background.
The enjoyment I find wearing a kilt everyday supersedes any kind of negative issues, quizzical looks (lots of those) or funky comments (which are rare). Glad to be a part of this brotherhood. Best to all!

[Rick Landre]

I reallyenjoyed reading your post. I have ordered my first kilt (Stewart) and have considered the shoe thing much like you. I have no brogues and oredered one pair of hose. I am very interested to see how people respond to your post.

Rick

[Jumpmonkey]

I just picked up my first pair of hose the other day, and my second pair a day after. Yeah, keeping up with them is work! Alas, I have no answers on how to make that problem any easier! As far as shoes, I am very much of the, whatever fits the weather/work of the day. If your toes are turning black from frostbite what good is a fancy pair of brogues?

I'm hoping to have my first tartan next week. I can trace my lineage back to no clan that I know of. I got a question just last night while wearing one of my Stumptown kilts, concerning my clan. I replied that I had none, but I just really enjoy wearing the kilt. From some reading I've done, it seems like a lot of the current understanding of clan/local tartans are historically tenuous at best. But I'm just passing second hand knowledge here, and am no historian myself. I believe I was doing my reading here the other day, it was recommended by another member here, on one of the various threads.

[Kiltem in NM]

Hey there!
I'm have seven kilts now and two more on the way. My other question is -- are there any of you out there who wear tartans that are not part of your clan or ancestry? I'm 25% Johnston(e) with bits of Morrison, Stewart, and some others in my background.
The enjoyment I find wearing a kilt everyday supersedes any kind of negative issues, quizzical looks (lots of those) or funky comments (which are rare). Glad to be a part of this brotherhood. Best to all!

I don't worry much about my footwear matching my kilt. I wear whatever is appropriate for the weather, and my activity for the day. That could be high tech combat boots, driving mocassins, running shoes,,,
I'm a member of the MacMillan clan, as well as a couple more, and I have a MacMillan Black kilt being made for me now. My other tartans, I have three different Black Watch kilts, and a Highlander Gray. If you are concerned about wearing another clan tartan, there are lots of regional, regimental, national, Irish County, etc, etc, house can wear. It is now considered okay to wear other clan tartans, there are just some that are restricted.
I just ordered Barbara Tewksbury's book, The Art of Kilt Making. I haven't yet decided on which tartan I'm going to use for my first handmade kilt, but I'm going strictly for color and pattern. I'm just going to continue wandering through the tens of thousands of tartans that are out there, until I find the one I want. I've also been playing with a tartan design website, and may design my own, and have it woven, or is if weaved?

[Liam]

A trick to reduce the need to wash kilt hose so often is to wear a pair of regular thin socks underneath.
slainte

[Mithosphere]

I have no ties to any clan, so I wear whatever I think is appropriate.

[Me cousin Jack]

56 days eh, like to see some fella try that with underwear!

[Adoom]

Hey there!
(it's been severely cold up here in Montreal - 35C and I'm still out and about)

As a fellow canadian, I feel your chill. When I last wore my kilt I think it was -20 or so before the wind chill.

Footwear; I have a nice(ish) pair of classic looking hiking boots. Moderately insulated, but the key is having some space around your toes. Stuffing your wool socked foot into a small shoe will collapse the air pockets that are actually acting as insulation in your socks. A smushed sock is a cold sock. A moderately larger boot, with a bit of room at the toe, will go great lengths to give you a little bit more warmth.

[joek]

We live just north of Pittsburgh. Not sure if any of our days got quite that cold. Not having born with kilt in my blood I am fine wearing either tartan or utility kilts. It's about comfort. I have only seen one gent kilted in this bustling area of 30,000+ people. And that on an evening after he may have attended the Pittsburgh Ren Faire. I have started to gear up with the purchase of a 13 oz. wool kilt and some thicker hose. Good luck on extending your kilt trip.

[kingandrew]

To my eye, any decent pair of dress shoes or boots looks good with a kilt. I normally don't wear sneakers with my kilts, except for my running shoes when I am racing kilted.

There are many (very many) threads on Xmarks about hose. If you are looking for affordable sources to expand your collection quickly, I suggest looking at sockdreams.com (mostly cotton options) or HJ Hall, which offers both kilt socks and "shooting socks" which will also look great with a kilt: https://www.hj.co.uk/mens-socks/category/kilt.

Keep on kilting!

Andrew