In the company of men

[Derek]

The wife and I have been to several evening events this week and on most of them I have landed up with all the male components proping up the bar and leaving the women to have a good natter. On each occasion not one of them commented on my kilt. It might as well have been invisible. There was one chap however (built like a rugby prop forward)who said that he had a great respect for anyone who is proud of their culture/traditions etc etc. He even bought me a pint. I have to do some mucky jobs first thing today but as soon as they are done I shall be putting my kilt on and my wife has her friend calling around for some lunch.. My pal called around the other day and the first thing he said to me was ' thats the first time I've seen you in jeans in weeks'. I still got a bit of a way to go to full time kiltwearing but I intend to get there in the end. Derek

[Graham]

Well done Derek, I'm glad you're enjoying the kilt more and getting more confident in it.

It is a shame when men just ignor our kilts, I'd almost prefer an insult to silence!

[Hamish]

GREAT Derek! Go! Go! Go! You (and I) know you'll be there soon .............. you just need a few more kilts!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Derek,

One of the things you will find as you wear your kilt more often is that people will seem to notice it less and less. Why is this?

I think those who wear the kilt only on occasion, especially when they are new to it, tend to wear the kilt more as a costume than as clothing. What I mean by this is that the kilt is an unusual thing for them, so they carry themselves differently, the hold themselves different, and through their body language and attitude tend to draw attention to themselves.

Those who wear the kilt frequently wear the kilt simply as clothing. When I put on the kilt, it is no big deal to me, just because I wear it so often. To be honest, there have been occasions when I have forgotten that I have the kilt on at all! So I don't carry myself any differently in or out of my kilt, and consequently draw less attention to myself.

This is illustrated by a story from my wedding. My groomsmen and I were all wearing more-or-less identical outfits. We all had on kilts (of different tartans), hose, flashes, dress sporrans, black Argyle jackets, white shirt and bow tie. Yet I was a regular kilt wearer and my groomsment were each wearing the kilt for their first time.

Someone came up to me and said, "You know, these guys all look like they are wearing a costume, and you just look like you are wearing your clothes." It was all about how comfortable I was in my kilt and how I carried myself.

I've gone grocery shopping in my kilt, waiting in line and check out, and not have anyone notice I am kilted until I reach into my sporran to get my wallet.

Not that you won't continue to get notice and comment! I'm not meaning to say that the kilt will somehow become invisible, only that people will notice less often than you think. But I also find that every comment I have ever recieved is positive. No one dislikes seeing a man in a kilt. In fact, on those rare occasions that I change out of my kilt before heading out into public, it is usually because I am in a rush and know I won't have time to stop and talk with people.

A man in pants is a man -- but a man in a kilt is a man and a half!
Enjoy!
Matt

[Casey]

Hamish is right on with the "more kilts". Although my collection is meagre in comparison to Hamish's, it is nice to be able to go to the closet and choose the kilt that is right for the occasion and the weather. At -15C,today, I am very limited as to what I can wear. But, one can go only so long and not be kilted.

Casey

[arrogcow]

I think most people do notice even when not commenting. The strangest thing that has happened to me is that several times when I have been wearing jeans, I have been asked by complete strangers, "So what, no kilt today?"

Adam

[Rigged]

I have been asked by complete strangers, "So what, no kilt today?"

I was doing some shopping at Circuit City in San Jose this week and a salesman came up to me and told me he saw me at a Safeway supermarket in Los Altos three weeks ago. That would be the one next door to my chiropractor's office.

I was doing some banking a few months ago and a nice-looking black woman came up to me and said, "That's a kilt, right? I see you all the time in the Albertson's. I haven't seen that one before." I'd just got the Nightwatch camo.

Kilted men get noticed.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

What I mean by this is that the kilt is an unusual thing for them, so they carry themselves differently, the hold themselves different, and through their body language and attitude tend to draw attention to themselves.

Ain't THAT the truth... and it's a real good lesson for anyone that's a little self-conscious about wearing one.

Since I'm not 6' tall and 250 lbs, I often get asked just how much "grief" I get from guys when I wear a kilt. Funny thing is, it has never happened. If you're comfortable with it, and walk proud (instead of running scared) it comes across to everyone.

I still got a bit of a way to go to full time kiltwearing but I intend to get there in the end.

And an honorable "quest" it is, me lad. I'm sure that there are more than a few kilt companies that are REAL glad to her that!

[GMan]

Derrek,

I too find less and less comments regarding the kilt. I find it refreshing that they are listening to you for being yourself, and not because you are kilted.

The confidence you have because you are kilted shows through even though no comments are given. Confidence is very powerful.

[Derek]

Ham .... I am seriously thinking about getting another kilt in the next few months. I'll get exactly the same as what I already have and I will get it from the welsh tartan centre .. it won't be cheap but it will be worth it. The kilt I have at present I have had for 2 years now and is worn daily by me at home (and lately more often out and about .. as per this original post) and it certainly takes a good beating. Its still in fab nick, the pleats are still crisp and its never been dry cleaned (as of yet). But it would be good to have a new one in the wardrobe for 'best' so to speak. If I had bought a pair of jeans or trousers at the same time and wore them as much I bet both would have worn out or fraid long ago .. as has been stated here at x marks on several occasions, a good kilt will last and last and last and certainly worth the investment. Elaine likes the plain Kilts (21st century etc .. Denim or immitation leather)).. she really thinks they look 'cool'. I not so sure myself .. again it has been mentioned here at x marks before, but I feel I would stand out more in the crowd in a plain kilt by its sheer nature. Still thats just me and no doubt my wild immagination again .. I've got a 21st century catalogue on its way, so who knows maybe between looking at that and Elaine's enthusiam and support and all of you here, I might change my mind and get one. What do you guys reckon .. all comments gratefully recieved.
Take care
Derek