What brought you to wearing a kilt?

[WClarkB]

My wearing of the kilt started at a ren fest; I bought it because I had always admired the Black Watch (a friend of my mother's had died in WW II in the BW) and I found a "costume kilt" which opened the door. I got interested in genealogy and discovered that I was a descendant of the auld sod. My wife still thinks this is bizarre but after 30+ years has decided that I am incorrigible and not worth the effort to reform.

[pastorsteve]

Ancestry. Although Scottish by ancestry I had never thought about kilts as a western/north American born and bread southerner. When My daughter took up Highland Dancing years ago, I was exposed to the festivals and competitions. While spending time in that areana and doing specific geneological studies I found where the family came from and our Clan connection.

[TheKiltedCoder]

For me, I'm into martial arts (was planning on testing for my black belt in hapkido this spring before (to paraphrase Lili Von Stupp) "everything below the vaist vent kaput!"

From the time I'd started studying, I was absolutely amazed at how freeflowing the judo uniforms are that we wear while in class. I'd been kind of quietly looking for something that would replicate that feeling of free-flowing easyness, but had failed.

Then, a friend of mine (who is a piper and wears kilts on an ongoing basis as well), introduced me to the kilt. I immediately loved the feeling of freedom that came with it, but I'll admit I was concerned as to whether or not I'd be up to wearing it out and about. The first time I ever put one on, we went to (and spent the afternoon at) the Milwaukee Museum of Natural History. I figured that, if I could spend an afternoon with that many people around without feeling too self-conscious, I was golden.

After we left to go home, taking the kilt off was one of the harder things I'd ever had to do (and yes, I broke a bunch of fashion rules that I didn't even know about, but I proved my nerve).

I went out the next day and got a couple of Amerikilts, and there's been no looking back.

And my wife loves the look. ;)

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

Pride in heritage and ancestory, a chance for individuality.

Also a strong dislike for having to tick the generic:

"New Zealand European / Pakeha" box on anything. (because, apparently all "Europeans" come from the same place).

[wyldathart]

I've all ways been attracted to and interested in Scottish history and listening to bagpipes. I finally broke down and did some research about my family and the rest as they say is history. I just ordered my first 8 yard traditional kilt. I plan to wear it as often as I can.