Kilt,

You in a kilt



Supposing you are really interested in starting to wear kilts; nevertheless, you are in two minds about it. How come? What should keep you from just ordering a kilt and wear it in pubic? Well, probably you are afraid of the possible reactions from your environment. Also, you are wondering which should be the best way for you to act. Let's deal with whoever's worries, whether real or imagined.



How could you, being not Scottish wear a kilt?

Like said already, in recent years more and more men in a lot of countries, with and without a kilt tradition, and no matter their nationality, colour and heritage, do wear kilts. And, no doubt, even more men should like to, had they the courage to do so. The movie Braveheart (1995) and the Internet - since 2nd half of the nineties - have probably started this development by convincing men with a (secret) preference for kilt wearing that they were not alone and could, in fact, wear a kilt, should they feel like it.
Once blue jeans were something American cow-boys were wearing. Now everyone wears them. Once, especially German boys would all over Germany wear short “Lederhosen”, not just boys living in Bavaria.


What should Scotsmen think?

Some traditionalists might be against non-Scots wearing a kilt, as they are sometimes against fellow-Scotsmen wearing a kilt as daily attire or outside Scotland. These seem to be few, however. Highland wear is something unique and makes a living for a lot of Scotsmen. Thus, men wearing kilts are looked positively upon.
Over time I have met several Scotsmen being happy to see the kilt being worn and regretting that they were not wearing one themselves.


Do other people believe you are Scottish when seeing you in a kilt?

It depends on where you are living, I suppose. In Scandinavian countries you are always addressed in the local languages, indicating that you are regarded just a country fellowman wearing a kilt. Almost the same is the case in Germany and Holland. In Southern Europe it is probably more expected that you have at least some connection to Scotland. But who in the world - except people within your own close environment - could tell that you have not?


Should you try to "play" Scottish?

No. To non-Scots the kilt is just a comfortable, versatile, and innovative garment. Accordingly you should, to my opinion, also avoid accessories too much connected with Scottish national dress like the bonnet.


Should you aim at eventually giving up trousers?

No. Variety is the spice of life.


How about predudices?

That you must be gay, a crossdresser, a tranvestite or otherwise somehow queer? For wearing a kilt? Neglect those people. They are not worth giving any thoughts at all. Besides, time is with you. The world is becoming more and more tolerent. It is ok to be gay, and it is becoming ok for men (and women) to be gender-fluid, andregoneous and transgender. The fact that these groups overall in the civilized part of the world are being well accepted, means that it is no problem for a man to wear a kilt.


How do you start wearing a kilt in public?

The answer should be, open the door and out you go. But for most men it is not as simple as that. If a man wants a tattoo, he'll get it. If he wants his hairs to grow long he will have them to. If he wants his tongue, nose, lip, ear or any other part of his body pierced, he will have it done. But if he wants to wear a kilt, which is definitely considered a man's garment, he might not dare to wear it out, because of a slight resemblance with a woman's skirt or just because it is different. It is ridiculous, don't you agree?


 

Should you tell people you know that you consider wearing kilts or already do?

Yes, it might be a good idea. No rumours, then. No secrets. But how?
You might simply tell them up front that you have got a kilt and have been out wearing it. Or you could have them see pictures on your phone, showing your new car or whatever and in some of them you are accidently wearing a kilt as the most natural thing in the world. Then they shall ask and you shall answer their questions.

But you can also just start wearing it in public and take it step by step. People, with whom you are acquainted, will ask, of course, and you must tell them about your reasons why (comfort, variety, difference or simply that you like wearing it) and how you got the idea in the first place. You might have seen a man in a kilt in a street or on tv and found it looking good or comfortable, then given it a second thought, googled kilts and inspired by websites you have bought one and have started wearing it.

A holiday in Scotland might also be a good and credible reason. You have tried on a kilt, you liked it, you bought it, and now you wear it. Tell about your trip on social media and show pictures.

By all means, social media, like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram are great. Post pictures of you in your kilt and explicitely tell about the advantages. Or don't mention it at all, just pictures showing you in a kilt when taking the dog out or sitting at a cafe, having a coffee. The kilt only has to be implied in the picture. Social media might be the most efficient way to communicate the news. With that step behind you, everything is much easier.

Kilt at sunset
Sunset.
Kilt in the concert hall
In the concert hall.
Kilt when tahing the dog out
Taking the dog out.
In the woods in a kilt
In the woods.
Flying in a kilt
Seated, waiting to take off for Berlin.
Kilt and a vintage Rolleiflex camera
A vintage Rolleiflex twin-lens-reflex camera.


How about your significant other?

Your wife or girlfriend is the person who really counts.
She might worry the most about your kilt wearing – and in all probability without reason, at all.
In fact, many women like seeing men in kilts, it seems, even if not always to the same degree, should it be their own husband. But there are examples on the internet where wives have talked reluctant husbands into kilt wearing.

If she has concerns about you wearing a kilt these probably concentrate about how surroundings shall react (see below) but foremost whether you might have some secret agenda. Should the kilt be just your first step into crossdressing? Could your next step be frilly skirts, blouses, dresses, and heels?
She might also fear that you might be gay. Nothing wrong at all with men being gay, but in a heterosexual relationship it simply does not work. That said, a kilt is no good indicator; most gay men wear trousers.
Or should you have a secret wish to be a woman?
Hopefully you can convince her that she has nothing to fear – and that you are telling her the truth!
What she’ll get in return for her understanding or acceptance, is probably a most thankful, caring, and faithful husband.


Kilt on a red bench
Starbucks, New York City.
Kilt on a red bench
On holiday.


 

How shall surroundings react?

People who don’t know you couldn’t care less how you are looking or how you are dressing. Kilt wearers will largely state that it is a non-event and that their surroundings, relatives, and people in their neighbourhood, very soon got accustomed to see them in kilts.

Never ever think that you have to "excuse" that you are wearing a kilt. It has been your decision. To you it is a natural thing. It is already, or it is about to become a lifestyle of yours, so to say.

If just more men (and their wives) would consider their "world" just half as tolerant as in fact it is, we should see a lot more of kilts around, I’m sure.




Next page

Kilt

Is the kilt a skirt?


Scotchmen will say NO. To them and many other kilt wearers tha kilt is a kilt, NOT a skirt. Calling the kilt a skirt, is to them an almost unforgivable insult. But are they right? Is the kilt after all a skirt. Find out.



What to find on the Dress2Kilt site?



Kilt, Caledonia Tartan

How about a kilt?

Have you ever been thinking of wearing a kilt? You must not be Scottish. You can be of any nationality, any colour, and any belief. Only you must be man enough. The objective of the Dress2Kilt site is making you wear a kilt whenever YOU feel like it and appropriate. Without needing a special event. It is about causal-first kilt wearing.
Verschiedene Kilts

Men in kilts - Q & A

Who will wear a kilt? Why wearing a kilt? Where and when to wear it? What’s the difference between being Scottish and not, related to kilt wearing? What about surroundings? Is it true? These and many more questions are answered here.
Kilt, Holyrood Tartan

Webmaster's kilt story

How come that the webmaster started wearing kilts? When was it? How was it, wearing a kilt for the first time? How were reactions from his wife, his family, neighbours, and other people?
Kilt

You in a kilt?

When seeing you in a kilt, what should people say? And especially your significant other? And the ‘Kilt Police’? Shall people think you are Scottish? How about prejudices? Should you tell people you know that you have started wearing kilts or are about to do it? How do you tell them? What should your reasons be? See answers to these and many other questions here?
Kilt

Is the kilt a skirt?

Scotsmen will say NO. To them and very many kilt wearers the kilt is a kilt, not a skirt. It is a garment of its very own, they say, and exclusively for men.
Calling the kilt a skirt is accordingly considered an almost unforgivable insult. But is it nevertheless a skirt?
Kilt

What makes a kilt?

Are 8 yards of fabric a must? Or will less do? How is a kilt constructed? Learn about straps and buckles, fell, rise, pleats, length, drop.


Buy a kilt and accessorize it


Kilt

Must a kilt be expensive?

Yes, purists will say, because no less than a 16 oz. 8-yard wool kilt, sewn by hand by a skilled kilt maker in Scotland or equivalent place will do. But are they right? Read why they are probably not.
Pakistani kilt

A cheap kilt

Probably most kilts today are no longer sewn in Scotland, but in Pakistan. In common these "imported" kilts have that they are affordable. Some shall give you real value for your money, others little - or worse - no value. Read about where to find good, nevertheless cheap kilts.
USA Lilts Casual

A moderate priced kilt

Some established Scottish and American kiltmakers know that affordable kilts are the condition for having men start wearing kilts, especially those having no Scottish roots. They therefore offer some very good kilts which they will position as casual kilts, probably for not hurting the rest of their business. For casual wear they might be all you need.
Kilt

A premium priced kilt

You'll hardly get an 8-yard kilt in pure new wool for under £300 or the equivalent. It shall be much easier to find one costing twice or three times as much. Not all premium priced kilts are sewn in Scotland. Examples are USA, Canada, England, France, and Austria.
Kilt

Get the measures right

Buying your first kilt is something quite unusual. Most likely you shall buy it online, and often it shall be made to your measures. Buying a kilt is not difficult, however, and with a kilt there is some give and take. Read on, and you'll know how to make it right.
Kilt accessories

Kilt accessories

Don't get ripped off on things you don't need. Find out, which accessories are must-haves, which are nice to have, and which you shouldn't consider at all for casual and smart casual wear, and some not even for dress-up events.


Wear your kilt


Kilt

Kilt on!

Let’s assume you have just received and unpacked your first kilt, and the accessories you ordered. How to handle and wear all the unfamiliar things, the sporran, the belt, the socks, the flashes etc.?
What else to wear with your kilt?
Kilt

To mind when in a kilt

Now being ready for taking your kilt out into public for the first time, is there anything you should mind? Something to worry about or calling for your attention? After all a kilt is something very different, just the way it looks and especially, how it feels, wearing it.
Kilt

24/7/365 in a kilt

Let's be realistic, you cannot and probably you should not wear a kilt every day year riund. But having chosen to consider your kilt casual-first wear there are so many possibilities year round. Read on and get inspired.


Kilt variants, skirts, and closing remarks


Utility kilt

Utility kilts

Utilty kilts have existed since 2000. Judged from the number of vendors who are offering them, the market for these kilts must be big.They come in very many different designs, some better than others.
kilt variants

Other kilt variants

Kilts can also be solid coloured, or come in a camouflage pattern. They can be made of tweed, denim, or leather. They can be traditional in style, or their design can deviate to the extent where they become utility kilts - or skirts.
Skirts

Skirts

Could you as a man wear a skirt? Well, the existence of utility kilts with their non-defined designs is part of the answer. You can. Read about which to go for, if a skirt.
Skirt

Closing remarks

Hopefully, visiing this site has contributed to bring you an important step further. Now show to the world that you are man enough to pull that kilt or skirt, whatever it is.



Galleries


Galleries

Galleries Main Page

Links to altogether over 50 gallery pages with tartan kilts, utility kilts, other kilt variants, and skirts.
Tartan kilts

Gallery Tartan kilts

Hundreds of kilt pictures on over 30 pages, one page per tartan.

Non-tartan kilts

Gallery Solid kilts

Solid traditional kilts.

Galleries

Gallery Utility kilts

Utility kilts in various brands and colours.

Skirts

Gallery Skirts

Man skirts, unisex/genderless skirts, and just skirts.

The Braveheart way Gallery

Gallery The Braveheart Way

A mix of skirted manly garments.



Links and What's new?


Kilt

Links #1

Vendors of traditional kilts, from cheap, typically imported Pakistani kilts, whether off-the-peg or custom-made, to more expensive kilts, sewn to-your-measures in Europe or in America.
Vendors of accessories.
Tartan-mills and tartan-finders.

Kilt

Links #2

Vendors of utility kilts, sarongs, man skirts, unisex skirts, "manly" skirts, and some shorts.

Kilt

Links #3

Kilt and skirt forums, non-commercial home pages, blogs, picture galleries, videos, articles in print media and on the internet, men in kilts and skirts on stage and on the catwalk.

Kilt

What's new?

At a glance, find out what is new, has been changed or has been deleted on the D2K site since your last visit.



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