My first Kilt

[Clifforza]

Well, I've been a lurker here for a while and have learned quite a few things from reading many and varied posts, so first thanks to you all. I just took delivery of my first kilt Wednesday, and I thought I'd share a few random thoughts:
The kilt is an 8yd, 16oz, hand sewn by Geoffrey (Tailor) in the "Scotland's National" tartan. I was measured for it when we were in Edinburgh back in the beginning of May. A number of reasons for choosing GT but the over-arching theme is the courteous and professional staff.
The kilt was shipped with 3 lines of basting in a long and narrow box, which kept it from moving around much. Very smart.
Took it out of the box and first thought was "wow, this thing is heavy". Took some practice to put it on, but I think I have that figured out. I wasn't sure I was nuts about the 2" rise but after wearing it yesterday, it's all good.

My wife and I were invited to a picnic yesterday where we would be seeing some old friends whom we haven't seen in quite a while so I figured "what the hell, they'll get a charge out of it" so I wore the kilt. That was interesting:
Got all suited up at home before the 40 minute drive. High waisted kilt, belt, and sporran under a seat-belt. Not so much. Next time the accoutrements go on when we get there. Sitting down, especially in a car with sport seats, is going to take some practice.
My first encounter, my buddies 80 yo mother "Let me see your (kilt) pin". Looks at the pin "Nice". Feels the material "Wow, very nice material". Starts to lift up the corner of the apron "What ya' got under there?" Her daughter "MAA!"
Lot's of "Are you playing the bagpipes?" which is not too odd since they are a very musical family and do occasionally have musical entertainment at their parties, but Americans do tend to make the association.
The ladies did seem to like it. A few "nice kilt"s. One long time friend says "Man you've got some gumption wearing that". Reply "My middle name is Gumption darlin'. You can call me Forrest Gumption". Ha! Sometimes I kill me. A young woman "Why are you wearing a kilt?" "For comfort and style". Turns out her dad plays the pipes with the Hibernians. We had a nice chat.
My buddy after a few beers, tugging at the kilt "What DO you have under there?" "Same thing as you bro' only bigger".
Eating. I took my plate and went inside and sat at the kitchen bar where my first stab with the plastic fork sends the steak sliding across the plate launching 3 or 4 baked beans off the plate, bouncing off my sporran and down the front of the apron. Mind you, I haven't had a bite of food yet and I have baked beans down the front of my brand new kilt. I did get most of it off right away and the rest when we got home. Thank You teflon!
The Scottish Tourism Office owes me big time. Lot's of chances to expound on the beauties of Scotland (we've been twice) and the merits of her most favored export, especially Laphroaig.
Using the rest room; Hold the sporran aside, hold up the kilt, I'm non-regimental until I'm sure I know how to sit down so I'm dealing with that. Gonna' take some practice.
All in all it was a great experience! I thought some of you long-time kilt wearers might enjoy reminiscing about the foibles of a newbie. I'm expecting my second kilt this week, but that's another story for another time.
Yours kilted, Cliff

[McClef]

My buddy after a few beers, tugging at the kilt "What DO you have under there?" "Same thing as you bro' only bigger".

Great answer!

The Scottish Tourism Office owes me big time.

I think it owes a lot of us big time.

[Mike_Oettle]

Well done on your first outing, Cliff. But never having worn anything under a kilt myself, I am surprised that you went to all that trouble.
I would think it’s much more difficult to manage with something else underneath there.
And you would be surprised at how easy it is to get used to sitting wide-legged with the sporran hanging down in the middle.
Better that than an embarrassing moment!
Regards,
Mike

[ThinBlueLine]

Clifforza,

Rock on. I love your "only bigger" comment. I will have to steal that and add it to my standard responses.

[Inchessi]

I am envious, your first kilt, fitted at Edinburgh.

[Downunder Kilt]

Welcome to XMTS from Downunder.
Please be aware though, 1st rule of the forum, if you talk about getting a new kilt, you have to have photos. No pics and it did not happen.

[BLHS209]

Congrats on the first outing!!! And like others, I will have to remember your responses ;)

oh and welcome to the "X"

[Standard]

to the rabble from Illinois. Your first kilt outing sounds like a smashing success. Sounds like you have things pretty well under control. If you do a search here on XMarksTheScot Hamish has done a nice video about the proper sweaping of the pleats as you sit down. As for getting in and out of the vehicle kilted, it takes some practice, but is not too difficult to accomplish. When you sit I find that simply taking my hand and adjusting my sporran into place if it has not done so on its own pushes the apron down to cover the important bits. It does feel awkward at first and like you are flashing everyone in front of you, but with practice it will become second nature and you will feel much more comfortable with this. Happy kilting, and remember here on XMarksTheScot, if there are no pictures, it didn't happen.

Here's the link to Hamish's video clip http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-pleats-20913/

[BoldHighlander]

Congrat's on a successful outing in your new kilt (photos of it please )...and...



...from the far nw corner of Washington state!

[Danwell]

It sounds like you've really come into the fray in style! Well done, and congratulations on getting out there and having fun in your kilt.


.......from the top of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, Australia!