No pithy subject, just a comment and question

[Ranald]

Hell-o all,

When I first joined this group, oh those many months ago, a strange thing happened to me. I learned a lot, and I thought that I knew a lot of Celtic History and about how to properly don the kilt. Boy was I mistaken, I find the more I read the less and less I know about those things I took pride in knowing (or what I thought I knew) beforehand.

So at this season we all sit back and take notice of things that we are especially fond and appretiative of, I want to thank each and everyone of you for all that you have done for me in more ways than you have known. I have been able to wear a kilt with more confidence and joy, expressing my pride in it and in everyone here.

I have to agree with Glen here, also to your question.
I found Hamish's web page and gallery about a year before I joined this board and your right what you said on another thread the seed took about a year to come to fruition.
Because of this board and the fine people that make it so, I now wear kilts everyday (my choice).
I never realised there was so many people that would be in favour of the kilt, boy was I wrong.
Also I have learned a lesson in human nature and that lesson continues, the flip side of that I have also learned alot about myself and how I react with others.

[Cawdorian]

Participation on this forum has been a great experience. I have learned a lot of Celtic history, a bunch of Scottish history, a great deal of information about tartans in general and about kilt styles (thanks Matt) and greatly enhanced my knowledge of the correct modes of highland dress (thanks Ham).

I now wear my kilt with great confidence understanding it's wonderful heritage and have increased the frequency of wearing the kilt.

I have enjoyed the lively discussions we have here and learned to handle almost all of the social situations and questions one encounters while wearing the kilt.

It's been a great experience, I am sure 2006 will be even better.

By the way, I also learned that I don't have enough kilts!

[Graham]

Good thread Glen, It's great to read this review from everyone, and it highlights how necessary it is to stop and look back at where we have come from and where we are heading in our kilted experience.

For me it's always a neverending balancing act to keep things in perspective.
It's easy to spend too much time and money on what is basically just clothing, but otoh, if this kilt is to be worn, it must be worn well.
Kilt wearing does very easily dominate much of every day, even when I forget about what I'm wearing..I will be reminded by a comment, a stare or a new challenge in wearing the kilt.

Overall, my self confidence has grown, I'm happy and comfortable in wearing the kilt 98% of the time. My enjoyment of life in all it's aspects has increased just because of the kilt.

I too am grateful to be part of a community here on xmarks, diverse as we are, from all corners of the globe, that shows me that there are quite a few others who feel the same way I do about this beautiful garment.

I received a really nice comment at a business breakfast, a lady i know well, a client of mine commented on how (in her opinion) few could really wear a kilt well, and that I had succeeded in "pulling it off".
While I joked that I had no intention of pulling off my kilt, I was pleased that she could see that kilt wearing can be successful, socially and in business.

Thank you all for helping with that success.

[Eujeankilt]

Whew, where to begin? Before this summer, I knew nothing about kilts. After getting my first UK in July, I searched the net for kilt info. It took me a month or so to come here, but it's been a treasure trove. I've always had an affinity for things Scottish, so kilts just seem a natural.

Like many have already said, I've learned about kilts and accessories and all about Scottish culture and history. And like Graham said, I've learned more self-confidence. And like Ranald and philbo, I've gotten to know more people who wear kilts and our similarities and differences. The kilt ties us all together.

Thanks Glen for a great question. Happy Holidays all.

Dale

[Valencian Kilted]

It's difficult to say, but I would point out that now I know why those kilts I saw in Glasgow were soooo expensive at first sight. I couldn't understand why a piece of clothing would be so overpriced to my eyes. Now I know it and understand it. It's a passion. It's the rolls royce of clothing, to my eyes!, and everybody knows why a RR is so expensive!

Anyway, the best think I learned here was that what really matters is not the kilt, it doesn't matter if it's knive or box pleated, to the sett or to the line, with 13 or 23 oz. of wool or pv,... the really important of a kilt is the wearer. A kilt itself is not much more than a piece of clothing, but linked with the wearer,... whoa! there's the power that we all look for!. And there's the power that everybody must see on us!

The best I've discovered here is that we are all a powerful big clan, guys!

¡Salud! and "Bon Nadal"-"Feliz Navidad"-Merry Xmas.- Joyeux Noël- Buon Natale....!!!!

T O N O

[Bob C]

I had done a lot of reading and studying before buying my kilt and formal outfit a couple years ago, so I won't say I've learned a lot about kilt-wearing here.

I do wear my kilt a bit more, because I met Brian and Padraig here, and now join them for Kilt Night at McGirk's Irish Pub in Chenango Bridge, NY. :grin:

The real value of this place, for me, is the great links to places to buy kilt accessories. I've bought a few things online after finding out about them here.

Since few people I know in real life "get" kilt-wearing, it's nice to hang here, where EVERYBODY gets it.

[bikercelt1]

I started wearing a Kilt a while before I discovered this site. I became dedicated to wearing a Kilt more out of obstinancy than anything else. But then I discovered "Xmarks" and I learned that I was part of a community whether I knew it or not. I've met some of the members of this community in person, but I feel a sense of "fraternity" with all of you whether we've met in person or even if you just found us recently. I've learned a lot about people and how even if we don't have anything else except our passion for a certain style of dress we can have a civil exchange.

(I've also learned that sometimes people with much in common will argue for some unexplained reason but that we have fabulous moderators who will make the hard choices to prevent this from becoming the "flame war" so common on other web sites. Thanks guys!)

Happy Holidays, and thanks Glen, for reminding me to take stock.

Jamie

[Prester John]

Well, in the midst of all these seniors, I'm nothing but a frosh.

I'm still yearning for the first kilt, and hoping it will be a tank, but in any event, I've made my sons alllllllllllll want kilts right now!