Red Tartan Kilt in Tokyo on a Saturday Night
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 12:35 am
So a few days ago I found a really great Red/Blue/Black tartan O'neil of Dublin kilt on Japan's Mercari site for $35 with minor damage. It came overnight and had no visible issues. I was ecstatic to mange finding a $200 kilt at that low price.
So last night (Saturday in Tokyo) I decided to wear it to our cafe for an event where I didn't really know many of the people. Also I knew they would be older for the most part. And it was the first time I have been out in a bright colored kilt or skirt of any kind. My usual taste is black, grey etc... So needless to say, I was a bit uneasy.
I matched it with black Uniqlo heat tech tights since it was cold and I had to walk to and from. Dr. Martins 8 hole plain black boots, no yellow stitching. A plain black shirt tucked in and a casual simple leather jacket to stay warm on the way. And set off to the cafe, a trip that took me through two busy Shotengai (shopping streets).
So the reactions on the way were minimal. A couple cute younger girls smiled approvingly at me, a very fashionable guy also looked curious and gave a nod. Both felt great since Tokyo-ites usually ignore each other entirely and scurry on to wherever they are going.
On the bigger of the two shopping streets the lighting was bright and a couple elder ladies gave me a concerned look. But that happens a lot anyway for being a foreign resident, so decided not to take that too personally.
At the cafe the experience was so very different. My wife was running the cafe as usual and was very positive and supportive of my outfit choice. But to my surprise two of the 40 something ladies helping run the event became my instant fans. One said I looked like a prince from a novel. The other said it was about time men wore skirts and she loved kilts. They were a little too attentive for most of the evening for my taste, but my wife was having fun watching me be uncomfortable and is still teasing me about it this morning.
So the real test were the elder guys who were there. And to my surprise the most conservative guy there came up to me, and in very respectful Japanese said, I've always wondered about kilts, that looks good on you.
So my first outing in a bright colored kilt (mind you the only bright colored anything in my entire wardrobe) was a massive success. So now my wife is looking for a couple more O'neil kilts in colors for me. She already had a blue and green in mind. And also a vintage red she found online.
I am very lucky I have a supportive wife on kilts and skirts. But being musicians, artists and arts cafe owners, I know I have a rare advantage of her being used to people being different. And thankfully for me she is pretty unique and interesting too.
Hope you liked the story. And you know you can wear your kilt if you come out to Tokyo for a visit.
So last night (Saturday in Tokyo) I decided to wear it to our cafe for an event where I didn't really know many of the people. Also I knew they would be older for the most part. And it was the first time I have been out in a bright colored kilt or skirt of any kind. My usual taste is black, grey etc... So needless to say, I was a bit uneasy.
I matched it with black Uniqlo heat tech tights since it was cold and I had to walk to and from. Dr. Martins 8 hole plain black boots, no yellow stitching. A plain black shirt tucked in and a casual simple leather jacket to stay warm on the way. And set off to the cafe, a trip that took me through two busy Shotengai (shopping streets).
So the reactions on the way were minimal. A couple cute younger girls smiled approvingly at me, a very fashionable guy also looked curious and gave a nod. Both felt great since Tokyo-ites usually ignore each other entirely and scurry on to wherever they are going.
On the bigger of the two shopping streets the lighting was bright and a couple elder ladies gave me a concerned look. But that happens a lot anyway for being a foreign resident, so decided not to take that too personally.
At the cafe the experience was so very different. My wife was running the cafe as usual and was very positive and supportive of my outfit choice. But to my surprise two of the 40 something ladies helping run the event became my instant fans. One said I looked like a prince from a novel. The other said it was about time men wore skirts and she loved kilts. They were a little too attentive for most of the evening for my taste, but my wife was having fun watching me be uncomfortable and is still teasing me about it this morning.
So the real test were the elder guys who were there. And to my surprise the most conservative guy there came up to me, and in very respectful Japanese said, I've always wondered about kilts, that looks good on you.
So my first outing in a bright colored kilt (mind you the only bright colored anything in my entire wardrobe) was a massive success. So now my wife is looking for a couple more O'neil kilts in colors for me. She already had a blue and green in mind. And also a vintage red she found online.
I am very lucky I have a supportive wife on kilts and skirts. But being musicians, artists and arts cafe owners, I know I have a rare advantage of her being used to people being different. And thankfully for me she is pretty unique and interesting too.
Hope you liked the story. And you know you can wear your kilt if you come out to Tokyo for a visit.