How does what "they" think affect what you wear?

[piperdown]

Being malicious in nature, I have had some fun. A group of pipers in a parking lot were putting stuff in their cars. I yelled to them, "Nice Skirts!" One man less than politely invited me over to restate the comment. I drove my truck over, got out wearing my "Black Watch" and had a good laugh. An hour later, we drove our separate ways, and I had a few leads to some fishing spots.

I'd love to have seen the look on the pipers face when he saw your kilt!!
Probably was frantically trying to figuring out how he was going to back up his words in his. Great fun indeed.

[Coastie]

Well I have a much smaller sample size than most of you but I have been wearing my kilts (now happily plural at two with a third on the way) more frequently. By far the most common question I get is do I play the bagpipes. Next is where am I going.

As for what people think of it, there really is a difference between most ladies response and men's. Most gals are interested and appreciative. They actively go out of their way to have a reason to talk to me so they can ask me about the kilt as they are rare as hen's teeth around here. Most guys just seem baffled with a bit of amusement mixed of the fellow is older.

For example I was waiting in line to get new vehicle plates at the DMV when a younger gal opened a window and gestured me over. She opened the window just so she could talk to me and ask about my kilt. When I asked for a Coast Guard license plate (over 600 miles to the coast from here) with a Iraqi War label she was even more amused: "Well you are easily the most interesting person I have met in a long time."

Kids amuse me the most. A friend's 4-year-old girl was just baffled I was wearing a dress... "But you're a guy!" Her mom and I had fun explaining the difference between a kilt and a dress.

[Merlin]

I'm in Texas where different isn't accepted very well. I wear my kilt to Ren Faires, kilt nights at local pubs and Scottish Festivals and I don't hesitate going into the store for a soda on the way.
Last weekend I stopped to pick up some donuts for our group and a small boy about 5 or 6 years old said to his mum "Look mommy... he has a kilt!"
It was so refreshing to be surrounded by an educated lad. I totally expected him to say "Mommy..why is that man wearing a dress?"
Intolerance of other cultures is rampant in the south...mainly due to ignorance. Even orthodox Jews get harassed by hillbillies down here.
I do work out a lot with weights so the majority of the rednecks tend to wait until I'm long gone before they offer up the usual "******!" or some other intelligent quip.
In short.... life is too short to let what others think about you effect the way you dress. Mind you...I would always be respectful of others and not wear only a Speedo to church or to the movies... but if I want to wear my kilt...I'll wear it.
Chicks dig it ! ! And that really makes rednecks mad! LOL !

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . he felt like an arsonist in a country full of fire marshalls.

I love it! That's the simile of the month!

.

[londonkiltfan]

I approve of this topic 100%!

Reading these comments really made me chuckle and feel further inspired! Ok, I live in London, am English and have a girlfriend, so kind of typical male here I suppose. Except I like to dress in more exciting and yes, stylish ways than your typical guy. I draw inspiration from preppy styles and eras like the 60's and add my own twist. I have gone to the pub or sightseeing many a time wearing one of my kilts. And without wanting to tempt fate or anything, my reception from complete strangers has been warm and positive. Some people, mainly females - young to old, would say things like "I love your kilt, fantastic" "Wow, great kilt, are you going commando under there? 'smile' "
And without being directly spoken to, I have heard other comments. Once I heard a family in a pub sitting behind me. The lady remarked to her husband I assume, that that man looked very nice in that tartan. Maybe she was hinting at her husband to try something like that...? Who knows? But its good to plant that seed in peoples minds. The more of us there are wearing kilts is going to hopefully inspire others to shake off that shy inhibition and perhaps take that plunge!

[AArdvark808]

On the day of my own wedding as I was getting my pictures taken some numptie shouted for my bagpipes.

Before a friends wedding, outside of the church from the saftety of a passing car, some other numptie shouted far worse abuse at me. He was lucky to not see the wrong end of my sgian dubh.

I've also been asked all manner of stupid questions, top of the lot being "when's the show?"

"What show?"

"Well why else would you be wearing that?"

These experiences have led me to limiting my kilt wearing to places where others might wear a kilt (Burns night, celtic fest, Scottish wedding), (proper) football matches, and metal concerts. Otherwise you never know what kind of undesirables you'll have to encounter.

[jeremy j starche]

During the summer, I wear a kilt seven days a week, unless there is some particular pressing need to wear something else. During the winter, I kilt-up for most engagements of any kind.

I had to think for a while to decide how 'they' affect my kilt wearing, and I eventually decided on this list:

• I wear my tartan kilts over my solid colored kilts far more often.
• I always wear a sporran
• Unless the temps are just too high, I wear hose and flashes. I don't think I've ever worn scrunched down socks or boots with a kilt.
• My UK seems reserved for working or piping out in the woods .. being able to carry extra supplies in the pockets really helps.
• I tend to pay far more attention to how I look when wearing a kilt over wearing jeans, because I knew that eyes will be upon me.

[BruceBC]

A follow-up to my earlier post. I wore a kilt every day at a Conference in Victoria. The kilt was well received in Victoria. (this the hometown of Freedom kilts) Not one single negative comment but many compliments.

The first night of the conference there was a social mixer. I wandered over to an empty table, sat down and within 15 minutes there were six lovely ladies to chat with. Two of them became my best buddies for the week.

So when in Victoria BC kilt-up.

[Dale Seago]

So when in Victoria BC kilt-up.

I've taught a few martial art seminars in that lovely city; if I get back up there I'll certainly do that!!

[Taj]

Most of the comments I've gotten in the Denver area have been along the lines of "nice kilt " or a well meant "nice skirt" from old ladies. I said in my xmts intro that I can't get used to suburbia so they will have to get used to me. They seem to do that pretty well.