Hello folks! Having spent the last hour reading some very interesting postings by the various members here, I decided to join the group!:)
I have 2 kilts myself (one black & one camo) yet it has taken months before I actually plucked up the courage to wear them out (about 2 weeks ago!).
First venture was to a local supermarket late at night (though I must admit that I sat in the car for a good 15 - 20 mins before actually plucking up the courage to leave it!). Once inside the supermarket, it was fine; Naturally there were plenty of looks (the most hostile were from a beer-gutted guy in his late forties) but other than that, mostly smiles from women.
A few days later, I took the plunge and headed down to meet a couple of friends for lunch in outer London (neither were warned about what I was going to be wearing)...After the initial surprise and smiles, the overall response was pretty positive, and this in turn made me feel more confident.
I must say that the overall reactions were good, out and about in public (some great reactions from the women! Mainly gawps from the guys...).
I did travel into central London last week to meet a friend (again, not warning him about what I was wearing) - He was stunned but went with it (though would rather that I didn't wear it if I was to visit him & his wife at home......Though having spoke to his wife after the event, she was pretty supportive about the kilt wearing in general & we had a good conversation about it.) It has been quite an enjoyable experience so far wearing the kilt, and I am more relaxed about wearing it in public. Yes, you do get attention, but as long as it's not of the negative variety, I'm happy with that.
For anyone out there reading this post right now, who either would like to wear a kilt or has one but yet to pluck up courage to wear it out.....I would say (like many people already have) just get out there and do it! It won't be a big a deal as you think. You won't bring the streets to a standstill and be surrounded by pointing fingers:shifty: At best, you will probably attract the odd smile (hopefully of admiration!) from anyone who is *actually* paying attention to their surroundings (how many people don't?) and be an individual!:cheer:
They are a fantastically comfortable garment, and perfectly suited to the great weather we have been enjoying recently - So, go get one and get out there! Be proud!:ninjajig:
Interestingly enough, I have only seen one other guy wearing a kilt in central London (a huge metropolis and only one other kilt wearer? C'mon!) and I believe he may have also been wearing tights with it too.
This brings me to a second point: Tights. Is there anyone out there who wears a tights with their kilt? If so, what kind of reactions have you had from anyone who has seen you? I am aware there are a number of major hoisery manufacturers who have taken the plunge to produce tights for men (though they are pretty expensive compared to the equivalent female product - Not that there appears much in it apart from the packaging & price:think: )
A black kilt with black opaque tights seems like a good image to me, though a bit of feedback on the subject would be useful - Especially as the tunnel-visioned element out there perceive tights as an exclusively female garment.
Also, any feedback on the available male brands?
Cheers
Wintermute
Hello!
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wintermute
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Welcome to Skirt Cafe, and congrats on your first outings! I often went to the food store late at night when mostly the stock people were the only ones around. Does help build confidence to start places like that. Another good place where you can get it is at a shopping center or mall that's away from your locale, as it will allow for a greater exposure to many types of people in a controlled environment. I've worn blue tights with my denim UK and it was no big deal with some athletic shoes. Kilt on!
binx
binx
yo! welcome to the club. I think I've had all told about 10 kilted days in london with both reluctant and willing companions and I have to agree.. it's more likely to generate silent respect than anything else.
someone just posted this URL which I found very useful and will no doubt get some stuff off of it in due course--they even have cameoflage socks, skull and crossbones, maltese cross--the works!
http://www.sock-dreams.com/_shop/pages/ ... esults.php
let's kilt-ify london this summer--next time you're out and about i'll try and be in the same area at the same time for a combined effect. people will assume they are missing out on a new trend! I think the effect is geometric--one guy might influence x amount, but two separate sightings will influence by x*x or x squared, not just 2x. 3 would be x cubed--and by that time the women will be well and truly talking their men into getting themselves sorted out as well.
you probably get the drift!
someone just posted this URL which I found very useful and will no doubt get some stuff off of it in due course--they even have cameoflage socks, skull and crossbones, maltese cross--the works!
http://www.sock-dreams.com/_shop/pages/ ... esults.php
let's kilt-ify london this summer--next time you're out and about i'll try and be in the same area at the same time for a combined effect. people will assume they are missing out on a new trend! I think the effect is geometric--one guy might influence x amount, but two separate sightings will influence by x*x or x squared, not just 2x. 3 would be x cubed--and by that time the women will be well and truly talking their men into getting themselves sorted out as well.
you probably get the drift!
The only thing man cannot endure is meaninglessness.
Tights, Pantyhoes,Skirts,Kilt
Hello Wintermute,and welcome to the Cafe.We are glad you stopped by.I have at least 40 kilts and skirts.In cold weather I wear pantyhose or tights all the time,even with pants.I have worn tights and panty hose for the last 35 years.The colder the weather the heaver the tights.I do not waste my money on "MALE" tights or pantyhose,they are too expensive and I see no differance in them and regular womens pantyhose and tights.So why spend the extra money,and hey the mens tights and pantyhose are hard to find.Womens you can get anywhere.It is a nonissue now,when you wear pantyhose or tights with a skirt or kilt.Wear and enjoy!
Tripp49:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Tripp49
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wintermute
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wintermute
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Thanks for the link Iain! I have actually seen this site before, and they do have some great & unusual stuff! I like the idea of multiple sightings, that's a good one!:) What we need is a couple of guys & a whole load of different kilts & disguises - Just do a rapid change each time you do a circuit around a block....like the old Hollywood trick where you only have a handful of actors but get them to run past a camera many times to give the impression of numbers!:)
Thing is, judging by the positive responses I have gotten from females whilst out & about, it's a wonder that we really don't see more men out there sporting a kilt (that is if they try to encourage their other halves!). I think it all boils down to fear.....
Travelling around in a pack (like the youth cultures of today tend to do) gives security with numbers, but c'mon guys....Those of you who haven't yet taken the plunge, get out there & be individuals! Boost the cause!:cheer:
You won't get stoned by baying crowds! You really will wonder what all the fuss was about!:think:
Incidentally, Iain - Out of curiosity, how many guys do you know or have you spotted in the London area sporting a kilt?
Thing is, judging by the positive responses I have gotten from females whilst out & about, it's a wonder that we really don't see more men out there sporting a kilt (that is if they try to encourage their other halves!). I think it all boils down to fear.....
Travelling around in a pack (like the youth cultures of today tend to do) gives security with numbers, but c'mon guys....Those of you who haven't yet taken the plunge, get out there & be individuals! Boost the cause!:cheer:
You won't get stoned by baying crowds! You really will wonder what all the fuss was about!:think:
Incidentally, Iain - Out of curiosity, how many guys do you know or have you spotted in the London area sporting a kilt?
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wintermute
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Thanks for the advice Tripp! Much appreciated, and yes, I do agree - There really doesn't seem to be much in it & it appears more to be a marketing ploy to convince people that the packaging and label make it more masculine.
Having read reviews regarding the male products, I have to say that I am a bit sceptical regarding some of the comments - I mean, tights are just tights - They are a leg covering garment worn by both sexes - The box art featuring & male tag doesn't mean much....And the addition of a fly in the pant area....Is that really necessary to make it more acceptable? Quite a lot of current male underwear doesn't have a fly opening.
Having read reviews regarding the male products, I have to say that I am a bit sceptical regarding some of the comments - I mean, tights are just tights - They are a leg covering garment worn by both sexes - The box art featuring & male tag doesn't mean much....And the addition of a fly in the pant area....Is that really necessary to make it more acceptable? Quite a lot of current male underwear doesn't have a fly opening.
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wintermute
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yes, one time I met a guy I know at an aussie restaurant where they had a quiz night. it was great! I wore a long sarong. a blonde woman at the bar looked me up and down and her eyes were popping out of her head! but I'm nagturally shy and didn't knwo what to say--anyway, the guy I met never said much except how it was great to wear whatever you want.
of course, the truth was a bit different--he went back home and told his wife that he was so embarrassed to be seen with me! I heard about it from someone else.
on one scorching-hot london trip, my 23-year old stepdaughter insisted my (admittedly lightweight) kilt was NOT a kilt because.. because.. (she struggled for something here) I wasn't wearing boots, or tough looking socks, or a sporran. it seems that some people need to place a certain item of clothing within a context for it to be legit.
I had sandals and a light untucked shirt on.. all the colours matched beautifully. but she told me "I'm not going out with you like THAT!"
anyway, I said in that case I'd go on my own. she came with me, and it was a great day out. every time since then, when we went out together, I wore a kilt! and that was that. it became part of our tradition. it was so incredibly hot; the air was stifling. sitting on the chairs at the cafes was great because fresh air blew all around. I can't wait for our next trip. no doubt about it, it's the way to go for the summer.
I only ever saw one other guy in a kilt in london.. he had his son and wife with him and he looked perfectly at ease. green, i think the kilt was
of course, the truth was a bit different--he went back home and told his wife that he was so embarrassed to be seen with me! I heard about it from someone else.
on one scorching-hot london trip, my 23-year old stepdaughter insisted my (admittedly lightweight) kilt was NOT a kilt because.. because.. (she struggled for something here) I wasn't wearing boots, or tough looking socks, or a sporran. it seems that some people need to place a certain item of clothing within a context for it to be legit.
I had sandals and a light untucked shirt on.. all the colours matched beautifully. but she told me "I'm not going out with you like THAT!"
anyway, I said in that case I'd go on my own. she came with me, and it was a great day out. every time since then, when we went out together, I wore a kilt! and that was that. it became part of our tradition. it was so incredibly hot; the air was stifling. sitting on the chairs at the cafes was great because fresh air blew all around. I can't wait for our next trip. no doubt about it, it's the way to go for the summer.
I only ever saw one other guy in a kilt in london.. he had his son and wife with him and he looked perfectly at ease. green, i think the kilt was
The only thing man cannot endure is meaninglessness.
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wintermute
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Interesting you should say that - Even though there are certain bits and pieces you need to make a kilt "complete", I have been wearing mine without a sporran (actually sorting out a belt with a few pouches as I type this), plus heavy walking boot socks and a pair of HiTech MAGNUM combat boots.
I have tried on some PH Flyers basketball boots (very similar to Converse) but for some reason, I didn't feel that they balanced the kilt correctly, so I went with my boots.
I have tried on some PH Flyers basketball boots (very similar to Converse) but for some reason, I didn't feel that they balanced the kilt correctly, so I went with my boots.
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wintermute
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Lomdon is probably the one city in the UK you'll find the most Kilts worn on any given day - especially on a so-called 'casual' basis. The only exception is likely to be (the comparatively recent) trend for 'Kasual Kilting' to/at/from Scottish football matches, often in 'team colours'! It is a rare day I haven't seen one (or more) Kilt on a journey to/through London, certainly in the past decade or so. As for folk noticing/glancing/staring - well, it is still not that common a phenomenon, is it?
Another 'quick guide' to an area's 'kilt-friendliness' can be judged when you stop for petrol. Start looking about furtively and you could draw the wrong kind of attention. Just don't (for goodness sake!) wear one of those silly little bonnets you often see in American films of Scotland (unless you actually are a piper in full uniform!) - same goes for very long, hairy sporrans! If you don't like/need a sporran, then don't bother - there's not a lot of 'Kilt Police' around to pull you over!
Another 'quick guide' to an area's 'kilt-friendliness' can be judged when you stop for petrol. Start looking about furtively and you could draw the wrong kind of attention. Just don't (for goodness sake!) wear one of those silly little bonnets you often see in American films of Scotland (unless you actually are a piper in full uniform!) - same goes for very long, hairy sporrans! If you don't like/need a sporran, then don't bother - there's not a lot of 'Kilt Police' around to pull you over!
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wintermute
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Hi Merlin,
I don't bother with the sporran on my kilt...I think, being plain black, it looks good without one. I have only sited 1 other kilt-wearer in London central to date, though I don't doubt that there are more...It's just being in the right place at the right time to spot them.
London is probably a pretty good place to wear a kilt due to the amount of varied cultures that are in the pot, so pretty much, anything goes and most things are acceptable - Even if a little out of the ordinary.....
I see that your ID says that you are Midlands based - With this in mind, what are the responses like in your neck of the woods?:think:
Despite living in London, I know Leeds pretty well, and won't be wearing a kilt there anytime soon.....Knowing how some of the indigenous population behave once they have tanked up for the evening, It's not something I would really like to spend too much time thinking about. A kilt-wearer would definately be a good target for unwanted attention....
Leeds is trying to be a London outside of London itself, unfortunately the youth culture there isn't as broad-minded as their southern based counterparts.....Sorry guys!:shake:
Re: football themed kilts....I have only ever seen pictures!
You are absolutely right though...Just act normal as if you were wearing your everyday pants, and don't deliberately appear un-easy or be looking for attention. I shall keep an eye open for the Kilt Police though!:shifty:
I don't bother with the sporran on my kilt...I think, being plain black, it looks good without one. I have only sited 1 other kilt-wearer in London central to date, though I don't doubt that there are more...It's just being in the right place at the right time to spot them.
London is probably a pretty good place to wear a kilt due to the amount of varied cultures that are in the pot, so pretty much, anything goes and most things are acceptable - Even if a little out of the ordinary.....
I see that your ID says that you are Midlands based - With this in mind, what are the responses like in your neck of the woods?:think:
Despite living in London, I know Leeds pretty well, and won't be wearing a kilt there anytime soon.....Knowing how some of the indigenous population behave once they have tanked up for the evening, It's not something I would really like to spend too much time thinking about. A kilt-wearer would definately be a good target for unwanted attention....
Leeds is trying to be a London outside of London itself, unfortunately the youth culture there isn't as broad-minded as their southern based counterparts.....Sorry guys!:shake:
Re: football themed kilts....I have only ever seen pictures!
You are absolutely right though...Just act normal as if you were wearing your everyday pants, and don't deliberately appear un-easy or be looking for attention. I shall keep an eye open for the Kilt Police though!:shifty:
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Departed Member
I don't wear Kilts to Pubs anywhere - full stop! As for Leeds, mmnn well, even though I follow Leeds United (& it's a club thats had a healthy proportion of Scots players over time...), I've seen too much of the antics of the local rabble over 40-odd years to even think of appearing 'out of the ordinary' in that city. :shake: I travel about fairly intensively in the UK. East Anglia is a favourite Kilt venue, Scotland of course, round the East Mids also, no particular reaction (to date!), even Wales (never seen another Kilt there except on visiting Scottish International football/rugby occasions, though).wintermute wrote:Hi Merlin,
I don't bother with the sporran on my kilt...I think, being plain black, it looks good without one. I have only sited 1 other kilt-wearer in London central to date, though I don't doubt that there are more...It's just being in the right place at the right time to spot them.
London is probably a pretty good place to wear a kilt due to the amount of varied cultures that are in the pot, so pretty much, anything goes and most things are acceptable - Even if a little out of the ordinary.....
I see that your ID says that you are Midlands based - With this in mind, what are the responses like in your neck of the woods?:think:
Despite living in London, I know Leeds pretty well, and won't be wearing a kilt there anytime soon.....Knowing how some of the indigenous population behave once they have tanked up for the evening, It's not something I would really like to spend too much time thinking about. A kilt-wearer would definately be a good target for unwanted attention....
Leeds is trying to be a London outside of London itself, unfortunately the youth culture there isn't as broad-minded as their southern based counterparts.....Sorry guys!:shake:
Re: football themed kilts....I have only ever seen pictures!
You are absolutely right though...Just act normal as if you were wearing your everyday pants, and don't deliberately appear un-easy or be looking for attention. I shall keep an eye open for the Kilt Police though!:shifty:
Looking at several posts about the "Black Kilt", I think that's got to be next investment. Trad Kilts do attract attention, especially from the ladies (
), but are rather 'loud', I suppose! A black Kilt ain't going to harm my 'Wiccan' image, either! I find sporrans a bl**dy nuisance when driving, and I cannot stand the 'drumming' of the (standard) three tassles on my 'best' one. In fact, I've only ever worn it once! 
Anyone want to purchase an almost new black (what else?) sporran? 
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wintermute
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I have been in a pub in Richmond in my kilt....No problems what-so-ever, but then it is a pretty posh area & people appear to be well behaved!
Re: Leeds; Some years ago when I was somewhat younger & lived there, attending college I used to dress in a very alternative / punky fashion. One day I was walking through the centre & a gang of lads passed me, took a dislike to me because I looked different & thought it was a good idea to jeer & spit at me point blank. Quite frightening to be honest....But then that's the kind of inbred that's rife in that fair city.....Shame really......But a pretty damn good reason for not kilt wearing there in the open....And certainly not on your own:naughty: . I'm sure that somewhere amongst this huge archive there is some posting refering to a lad who wears skirts(?) in Leeds (or perhaps at least where he works) - Brave lad.:cheer:
A black kilt is a must! It's probably the guy equivalent of "The Little Black Dress"! Straight colours can sometimes be more effective than something with a pattern.....There is only one tartan I have seen so far that really strikes a chord with me, appeal wise......It's an overall deep purple colour and it doesn't relate to any particular clan, but I think it looks great!:)
If you want to shift that sporran, try ebay.
Personally, I just prefer the idea of a straight leather belt & a couple of utility pouches....It's more contemporary.
One good thing so far is that those who have seen me in my kilt have at least correctly identified it as such (despite missing all the trimmings) and haven't yet had the "bloke in a skirt" jibes!:rolleyes:
This weekend, I am attending a 2 day event....Present will be 3 people who know me & have already seen my kilt, one work colleague who hasn't & doesn't know, + a further potential 16 others who I have never met, but who have connections with my area of work....I'm up for wearing the garb again, and am hoping my belt will reach me in time. I don't have a problem with this, so I hope they don't either...
Re: Leeds; Some years ago when I was somewhat younger & lived there, attending college I used to dress in a very alternative / punky fashion. One day I was walking through the centre & a gang of lads passed me, took a dislike to me because I looked different & thought it was a good idea to jeer & spit at me point blank. Quite frightening to be honest....But then that's the kind of inbred that's rife in that fair city.....Shame really......But a pretty damn good reason for not kilt wearing there in the open....And certainly not on your own:naughty: . I'm sure that somewhere amongst this huge archive there is some posting refering to a lad who wears skirts(?) in Leeds (or perhaps at least where he works) - Brave lad.:cheer:
A black kilt is a must! It's probably the guy equivalent of "The Little Black Dress"! Straight colours can sometimes be more effective than something with a pattern.....There is only one tartan I have seen so far that really strikes a chord with me, appeal wise......It's an overall deep purple colour and it doesn't relate to any particular clan, but I think it looks great!:)
If you want to shift that sporran, try ebay.
Personally, I just prefer the idea of a straight leather belt & a couple of utility pouches....It's more contemporary.
One good thing so far is that those who have seen me in my kilt have at least correctly identified it as such (despite missing all the trimmings) and haven't yet had the "bloke in a skirt" jibes!:rolleyes:
This weekend, I am attending a 2 day event....Present will be 3 people who know me & have already seen my kilt, one work colleague who hasn't & doesn't know, + a further potential 16 others who I have never met, but who have connections with my area of work....I'm up for wearing the garb again, and am hoping my belt will reach me in time. I don't have a problem with this, so I hope they don't either...