Interested.

[Mael Coluim]

from the Old Dominion State!

[SteveB]

Hello and a warm Celtic from Boston, Massachusetts.

I do not know what type of construction work you are involved in. I have worn my Utilikilt Workman on a few sites around here, with the site workers asking me where to get one. (It hold a ton of tools)
For going out in a kilt, look at the variety of kilts from the sponsors of this board. I would not worry about your figure. Just measure up and strap on a kilt. Put on a sporran and head to the nearest Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, Large chain grocer. Do some shopping, hit the packy from some brews to bring home, then swing by the fuel station and top off the tank, grab a bite to eat at a chain fast food vendor. Just walk around in the kilt as if you have trousers on.
You will soon have many conversations with young ladies because of the boldness of walking around in a kilt. The kilt is a chick magnet, even for a fat auld man like me. You will get a thumbs up from the local youths. People will walk up to you and ask about the tartan, if you are a Scot, is there a parade today, do you play the pipes, etc. Do not get startled, they are only using these questions to start a conversation with you. Respond kindly, and you will make a lot of friends.
BTW, I wear the kilt every day. The occasions that I wear trousers, people ask me what happened to my kilt. I live and work in the City of Boston and ride the buses, trains, trolleys, and subway every day. There have only been a couple of negative comments, and I attribute them to the influence of mind altering beverages. If you get the "Nice skirt!" with a nasty inflection, just look at them and say "Nice pajamas!" they will say something along the lines of "I am not wearing pajamas." and then you reply "I'm not wearing a skirt either.' If the voice is pleasant, it is usualy someone who is not aware of the name of the garment, and is receptive of the explanation.
Get kilt. Wear kilt. Kilt on.

[GDub]

Welcome from the San Francisco Bay Area!

[meinfs]

Echo Rex_Tremende's suggestion --- go straight for the concert and the Celtic activities. It's a great time of year to start wearing the kilt - with the Tartan Day coming up.

[ardchoille]

Welcome. And remember; "No one can make you feel inferior without your conesnt".

[The_PreacherMan]

Thank you all for the welcome and advice! =D

It's going to be a little while before I can get a kilt, I still have to save for it. I want a traditional 8 yard 16oz. I haven't decided on the tartan yet (see my post on the Doyle Tartan under the Tartan/Heraldry forum) and I still don't know whether I like pleating to stripe or sette better.

As for hiding behind things? I'm not. I just have a very high appreciation for my families approval and advice and I wouldn't want them to think that I've lost that. If I've got some good reasons (according to them) then they won't mind as much.

As for the other stuff, it was my name and genealogy which got me interested in kilts in the first place. I've managed to trace my name back to 1740 which is a big deal for the typical USA resident. =P Unfortunately, I wasn't able to trace it back to Ireland (which was what I wanted to do). They didn't have immigration papers in 1740 because the USA didn't exist back then.

Working out is something I need to do anyway for my health's sake, and I really DO want to play the bagpipes. Actually, I've wanted to play them for a few years now.

This is stuff that I'm already involved in or wanting to get involved in, so I figure if I do things in the right order, it will make things a lot easier to explain. =P

By the way, do "highland games" take place in Scotland? or is it just a gathering of Scottish people in various places around the world? If so, are there any in Washington State?

@Laird O'the CowCaddens: Actually, I'm working on a house at the moment that's only a few blocks from the Puyallup fair grounds at the moment. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be available on the 28th. =(

Anyway, thank you all again for the welcome and encouragement!
The_PreacherMan

P.S. I'm not actually a Pastor at the moment; I'm still studying. This is just the handle that I picked out for when the time comes. =P

[Jerry]

There are regular scheduled games all over the country(USA). The heavy Scottish atheletes that participate travel to different games either within their area, and many of the best professionals travel all over the country. There are usually vendors and entertainers from all over also.. Here is a link for the games in your area.

http://www.sdhighlandgames.org/

Try and attend, even if you do not have a kilt. It makes for a fun day. You may find some affordable kilts there, but they won't be near as good as having one custom made. And "Stay Away from clansman knitwear" Most of us who have dealt with them had major problems getting what we ordered.

[McFarkus]

from Chicago. You don't have to worry about a bit of extra weight. The kilt, especially a traditional one, tends to cover a multitude of sins.

[Donnie]

JUST DO IT!

[kennethrmc]

Welcome from Flagstaff AZ. In my experience, the ratio of appreciative/ positive comments to negative ones is hugely disproportionate (In almost a year, I can't recall any REALLY negative comments--and I do recall lots of positive ones). So once you get out there you'll likely be pleasantly surprised.