What got you interested?

[The Kilted Chef]

I played Tommy Albright in a my high school stage production of "Brigadoon" in my junior year. I thought then that the kilt looked cool, but this was before home computers and the internet, so I had no idea where to buy one. (like I could afford one in high school! ) Well, fast forward 20+ years and movies like "Rob Roy" and "Bravehart" came out, I just had to have one! So I bought my first kilt, a greatkilt, and wore it for halloween! Sorry, Bear. This was before I realized that "kilts are garments, not costumes!" I loved it so much, I have never looked back.

Larry

[beverlonian]

I have worked in Scotland or for Scottish companies most of my life. For the last eight years I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend work-related Christmas functions in Scotland where formal kilt-wearing is usual for Scots. This led my to my wife suggesting I also should wear a kilt which I did last year (MacNeil of Barra) after gauging with one or two Scots colleagues if there would be any adverse reaction to an Englishman wearing a kilt. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. I could not believe how comfortable a kilt felt. :P
Strangely, my wife does not feel comfortable with my kilt wearing other than at the Christmas functions. I fear she regrets ever suggesting it, but too late now!

[Rigged]

I've never owned a pair of trousers that fit properly. Attending Burning Man introduced me to wearing garments other than trousers. I started wearing sarongs.

I eventually bought a Utilikilt (rugged and practical for the desert environment) and soon began wearing them exclusively.

Now, I only wear trousers when I absolutely have to. I hate the bloody things -- always have.

[zeytoun]

My High School had a Scottish theme. We were the Helix Highlanders, and nearly every day I would hear bagpipes and drums played together (I can only take so much solo 'piping, but when you pair it with the kettle drums, it's very inspiring/motivating). At the time, I didn't realize I was Scottish at all. Also, I was raised in a conservative Christian household, and our church made a practice of shunning anyone who did anything out of the "norm".

Then, in the last year or two, I discovered some of our Scottish (via the Norman invasion) roots. I read up on kilts. We had a kilt store in town that I frequented. I found our clan tartan. I found this forum. And I've learned so much more since then.

[bikercelt1]

I wish I could say I always thought the kilt was cool but that would be a lie. I always thought it was weird. My brother got into Scottish country dancing at a competitive level and I still thought it was weird. He was always good at crafty things and made his own kilt. Still weird. My father and uncles always had Anderson tartan ties and coat of arms (even though our branch of the Andersons were indisputably Swedish) so I was predisposed to like the colors and symbolism. At some point after my brother passed away I remember wondering what happened to his kilt and thinking I might wear it even if it was weird. A couple years pass and a friend tells me about Utilikilt. This happens about the same time that my father finds out that to hi s surprise his mother, who died when he was about three, was part Scots from the clan Gordon. That cinched things. I got a utilikilt and started wearing it. Even though it's weird. I now have 10 kilts and never wear pants outside of the workplace. People think I'm weird.

Jamie

[bubba]

Jaime, better to be weird than an unhappy lemming.

[bikercelt1]

Right you are Bubba. I've been weird so long I have no compunction about it. I consider it a mark of distinction. I would be downright offended if the sheep and lemings of this world didn't find me weird.

Jamie

[Rhino]

For as long as I can remember I've seen kilts as the epitome of masculine clothing, and had a vague interest in my Scottish side. But sort of forgot about this from 12 to 36 and only thought about it when I was 40 and saw a guy at the clothes show livewearing one. The guy I thought was a drunken Scotsman was in fact a drunken Scotsman named Howie Nicholsby the rest is history, 4 kilts later I'm hooked.

[Bill]

I have always been facinated by the Scots. I can trace my scottish lineage back through my mothers' side who was an Ord and her mother was a Sharp and it is through the Sharp name that I find our connection to the Stewart Clan. I am still working on what connections the Ord family has, for though they are of Scottish decent I have yet to find a sure Tartan connection.

I have liked the Kilt all my life but had never worn one until my wife sewed one for a Halloween costume (Sorry Bear, I know better now. ) I liked the look, the feel and the FREEEEEDOM!!! of the garment that one time was enough to addict me for the rest of my days.

BTW is there anyone out there who can help a fledgeling geneologist with that Ord connection?

[RockyR]

http://xmarksthescot.com/articles_id.php?id=7

Here's my story... (from the "why I am a kiltmaker" secion of the articles area of XMARKS)