The theme for the night was to get dressed to the nines...guys in suits, girls in gowns. I almost went for the Legs of Woe, and I did keep a pair in my bag just in case the kilt didn't work out...but I decided it was time to bust out the kilt for formal night, and went back to my (small) closet to see what I could sort out, because it dawned on me...

I'm going to a formal event...to dance with lots of girls...and girls like kilts...so even if I don't have a PC or a bespoke tweed jacket and vest, I should still see if I can put something together.

So!

Wool 16x8 MacLaren, heavily cabled cream hose with dark green garters (the ones from STM with the fringed ends...and the socks are the only ones I own), heavy black leather belt with one of those open-cast pewter lion buckles, ghillie brogues, simple two-tassel reddish brown sporran with brass rivets (same material as Custom Celtic's "Rustic", slightly different design...talk to Pat!), and a lightweight powder blue dress shirt.

The response was awesome. I now fully understand the statement "kilts are like catnip to women."

Highlights:

No chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Swing of the kilt takes care of that!

Kilt swings better than any dress, as admitted by several of the girls . Fear not, those of you with less hirsute legs...the swing of a kilt will never replace the effect of a girl in thigh-highs and a garter belt, twirling fast in a long evening dress .

Belt and sporran...not so great for closed position dancing. On early in the night for presentation and effect, when open position is more common, then off later once things quiet down.

Kilt does not interfere with closed position, but closed position in a kilt is...different. I can imagine that if one's kilt is sagging, it will get in the way...but at the top of the knee, no problems.

All the girls wanted to talk about the kilt vs. the skirt. The #1 thing that raised eyebrows was the sheer weight of a kilt vs the weight of a sheer skirt. If you really want to highlight the differences between the two without discussing anatomy, and assuming of course that she isn't wearing a heavy kilted skirt, simply stating that you're wearing nearly ten pounds of wool and inviting a tactile inspection of the front apron will do the trick. You may also find that turnabout is fair play .

The next night, I heard a lot of "where's your kilt?" as well as a lot of kilt-related questions...and I was wearing jeans! It was a 70s disco themed night, and people said...

"Maybe you could get a polyester kilt!"



I only have three pictures, taken with too little light on a cell phone. They didn't come out very well. I guess I can post them if proof is required .

-Sean