Oy vey... the first kilt has arrived.

[staticsan]

There comes a point where one has to Put Up or Shut Up, as they say. I've now reached such a crossroads and know that the only is forward. Somehow.

I received my first kilt in the mail today. Literally an hour ago. My first. I'm sure it's very nice; it's a SnowCamo from NeoKilt. However, being at work, I don't have any opportunity to try it on or even unfold it. It's kinda exciting and frightening all at once. Did I mention it is my first?

If I was still living on my own, I wouldn't have a problem: I'd put it on when I got home and go do my grocery shopping or something (I've been shopping in a skirt; there were absolutely no comments). I'd probably even wear it to work tomorrow, which involves a train journey.

But I don't live alone. I am living with my parents and my sister for a few months. A casual conversation about 6 weeks ago about being kilted showed me they would have trouble with the concept - and despite the fact of my mother's ancestry (she's a MacGregor), I know far more about kilts than she. I simply don't know what she'd say or do if I brought out a contemporay kilt!

I get up in the morning before everyone else, too, so I could even put it on i the morning, wear it all day at work - and confront them with it when I get home that evening. Hmm. Except I'm getting up late tomorrow morning, so that wouldn't work anyway. It probably wouldn't be such a good note to start the day on.

What is probably giving me the most pause is something my Dad said quietly to me the other day. Without seeking to violate the rules of the board, I wear a skirt to bed and have done for some months. I also don't usually get dressed until after breakfast. So the family has seen me skirted. Dad said he and Mum would rather they didn't see that. A kilt could be seen as inflaming the situation, see. It probably doesn't help that I've never seen anyone else in Sydney casually kilted (probably not looking in the right places, I bet).

It's kinda ironic that it was only yesterday that I were wishing it was genuinely unremarkable for guys to wear unbifucated garments. Because then I'd be in one every day.

Wade.

[ccga3359]

Congratulations on your first kilt. May I suggest that you possible wear it around the house for a short time a hope that your family gets used to you kilted. Be prepared for their house, their rules though. I thinking that the skirt issue may cloud their view of kilts. Good luck and hope this ends up a non-issue (well minor issue at least).

[Alan H]

Just a comment...tartan kilts seem to be a little bit more easily "assimilated" at the beginning, than non-tartan ones. If you want to slowly break in the parents and sister to the idea, you might start out with something traditional and go from there.

I will say though; their house, their rules. It's only fair.
Good luck.

[staticsan]

When I first discovered this forum, after a little while, I realized I kinda had a few questions that are really only going to be answered the first time I actually put a kilt on. For those here who still have not ever donned a kilt (or skirt) of any kind - and are probably still doubting, I now have a few answers.

First of all, it is unlike wearing a skirt. Really. So many women's skirts are not much more than slightly flared tubes open at the top and bottom. In fairly flimsy fabric. This explains not only why they tend to fly up so easily in the breeze, but why new skirts are so much cheaper than kilts. A kilt is much heavier fabric and moves quite differently. This also explains why they are warm in cold weather - perhaps when next you get a question like that, you invite them to feel the weight of the fabric! (In fact, I think I could get hot in my PV Neokilt... )

It is also quite different to put on. Most skirts have a small zip or button-and-split on the side or in the back or on the front or are simple elastic. A kilt is different and seems to have a much more definite presence in the fastening.

The height of the kilt is also not a surprise once on. Unlike my shorts or my jeans, the kilt just 'wants' to be that high. And it has no crotch to contradict the waist! After I posted the poll about how high people wear their kilts, I started noticing where skirt waists were on women: many of them are indeed on waists, not hips. I have a skirt clearly designed for wearing on the waist and it is so comfortable up there. The kilt likewise.

I'm looking forward to braving the public...

[Troy]

Hi Staticsan, and welcome to the forum.

It is true what you say, it is not common to see people kilted in Sydney, but the more of us that do it the more common it will become!

I live in Sydney and have worn kilts publicly a few times since I got my first kilt just over a year ago (by publicly I mean travelling via public transport and walking around the city generally, rather than attending a Highland Games or another function). You will see from some of my previous threads that the prospect of doing this was quite daunting at first.

I have to say the reaction I have received is far better than I expected. I travel to the city by train from Merrylands station and have done so kilted on more than one occasion without any rude comments or threats of violence. In and around the centre of Sydney I have thus far received nothing but kind, humourous or curious comments.

Having said that, though, both of my kilts are tartan, and are therefore more readily identifiable as 'kilts' rather than 'skirts' by the general populace. Also, I'm a fairly big guy with a 'law enforcement' type bearing, so I generally wouldn't get picked on as much as some others would.

Just remember (and most of the others on this forum will back me up on this) wear your kilt with pride and act as if it is the most natural thing to do (which, of course, it is). The air of confidence that you exude will be apparent to those around you, and most of the negative or abusive comments you receive will most likely to be from ignorant 'bogans' or 'doof-doofs' screaming past in cars. Becasue of their own inadequacies, those sorts will always single out those who look different, and they are not worth getting upset about.

Welcome once again to the world of kilting and I hope to catch up with you in Sydney some time.

Regards,

Troy

[NewKilt]

First of all, congratulations on your first kilt. I would echo what Alan H has said in that a tartan kilt might be a better way start in order to get your parents used to the idea of you wearing a kilt. I hope that your parents, at some point, become tolerant of your kilting.

Darrell

[staticsan]

I have to say the reaction I have received is far better than I expected. I travel to the city by train from Merrylands station and have done so kilted on more than one occasion without any rude comments or threats of violence. In and around the centre of Sydney I have thus far received nothing but kind, humourous or curious comments.

Having said that, though, both of my kilts are tartan, and are therefore more readily identifiable as 'kilts' rather than 'skirts' by the general populace. Also, I'm a fairly big guy with a 'law enforcement' type bearing, so I generally wouldn't get picked on as much as some others would.

Unfortunately, I don't have that advantage as I'm 5'9" and only 12st (168lb). I had hoped to have it in time for Australia Day in the city as that would be an ideal time to 'be differernt', but that didn't happen.

I'd be travelling from Sutherland to North Sydney, so small wonder I've never seen you (plus the fact of Sydney's size...).

Just remember (and most of the others on this forum will back me up on this) wear your kilt with pride and act as if it is the most natural thing to do (which, of course, it is). The air of confidence that you exude will be apparent to those around you, and most of the negative or abusive comments you receive will most likely to be from ignorant 'bogans' or 'doof-doofs' screaming past in cars. Becasue of their own inadequacies, those sorts will always single out those who look different, and they are not worth getting upset about.

It's not the general public I'm wary of. It's people who already know me. And generally it's those who know me most that I'm most wary of. I've already got An Event with some friends in a few weeks that I intend to be kilted at; most of them will not have seen my kilted before then.

Several people have suggested a tartan kilt would be an idea for better recognition. I'm thinking so. The trick is affording it.

Welcome once again to the world of kilting and I hope to catch up with you in Sydney some time.

Definitely.

Wade.

[Troy]

I had hoped to have it in time for Australia Day in the city as that would be an ideal time to 'be differernt', but that didn't happen.

Funny you should mention that, my last big kilted outing in Sydney was on Australia Day! (I wore my 16oz Cornish National with my grey marle Wallabies T-shirt.) The family and I (gorgeous wife and two beautiful kids) caught the train into the city and had a picnic lunch in the Botanical Gardens. Later we walked across the Harbour Bridge to spend some time at the Celtic Australia Day festivities, but by the time we got there it was almost over. I don't want to hijack your thread, so I will post more details in a thread of my own.

I'd be travelling from Sutherland to North Sydney, so small wonder I've never seen you (plus the fact of Sydney's size...).

Whoa! Sutho to North Sydney - now that's a commute!

It's not the general public I'm wary of. It's people who already know me. And generally it's those who know me most that I'm most wary of. I've already got An Event with some friends in a few weeks that I intend to be kilted at; most of them will not have seen my kilted before then.

As I said before, wear your kilt with confidence and flair. It would not be surprising for some of your friends to take a while to adjust to seeing you kilted, so be patient and take the time to explain to them what kilts are all about. If, in the long run, they aren't prepared to accept your choice in clothing, them maybe they aren't really worth having as friends. Bear in mind, also, that some people will be confused about the whole kilt vs skirt issue, especially since some of them will have seen you wearing womens' skirts before. (I'm not sure what your motivation for this is, and, frankly, it's none of my business!). At the end of the day, it's just a clothing choice - it's not as if you're indulging in human sacrifice!

Several people have suggested a tartan kilt would be an idea for better recognition. I'm thinking so. The trick is affording it.

I know what you mean - so many kilts... so little money! Unfortunately, our choices are a lot more limited than those of our brethren in the northern hemisphere. Just before Christmas last year, I bought my second kilt. I got it via Ebay from Highland Inspirations, who are based in Sydney. I was the only bidder, so it cost me $90. By the time I paid for postage and a money order (call me old fashioned, but I still get uneasy using my credit card on-line) it set me back about $100. It's an acrylic/wool blend, 8 yard, pleated to sett, and I use it as my 'everyday' kilt - naturally, it's nowhere near the quality of my hand-sewn Cornish National, but it's still quite a presentable kilt.

There are only a few tartans available (mostly 'commercial' tartans of their own design) but they are well worth checking out. (by the way, I chose the Celtic Spirit tartan - nice green background, with a white stripe through a black check which reminds me of the Cornish flag).

Best of luck,

Troy

[elitekiltedcommando]

Several people have suggested a tartan kilt would be an idea for better recognition. I'm thinking so. The trick is affording it.

Have you tried Sportkilt or Stillwater Kilts? They have some rather cheap tartan kilts.

[staticsan]

Have you tried Sportkilt or Stillwater Kilts? They have some rather cheap tartan kilts.

I've just this morning ordered one from SportKilt. :-) Here I am, ordering a *second* kilt when the *first* one has yet to get an outing...!

Wade.