Thursday, March 15, 2007

"Dude, What's Up With The Kilt?"

Those of you that have been reading my blog for the last several months, you have been waiting patiently for me to tell you about why I wear kilts regularly and to post pictures to go along with.

Well, for you, today is your day.

As you might imagine, wearing a kilt in 21st century America, without benefit of being in a wedding or being an extra in a Mel Gibson movie...

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...is an unusual thing... but it is becoming less and less unusual these days. These days, there are no small number of modern kilt purveyors popping up all over, and there are many men to provide the demand for their wares.

For the most part, the success of the modern, casual kilt, the world over, can be credited to one man; A Mexican-American in Seattle Washington, named Steven Villegas was working on a motorcycle (one of his many projects) wearing a pair of shorts made from old, camouflage cargo trousers, but found them too restrictive to move the way he wanted to... so he took a scissors to them, applied some sewing, and the first Utilikilt was born.

I have been wearing Utilikilts since 2001, and the second most common question I get asked is: "Why are you wearing a kilt? You aren't from Scotland!" or words to that effect.

Well here are the answers:

1. Because I can.
2. Because I look great in it (I have great legs).
3. Because I'm not a complete conformist.
4. Because a kilt is almost as cool as a Superman suit.
5. Because my wife likes it.
6. Because friction is bad (figure that out for yourself).
7. For good reproductive health (although I am out of that business).
8. Chicks dig it (they do, trust me).
9. Because men envy me for doing what I want without regard for what others think.


Where does all of this come from? Oddly enough, the idea was planted as a result of reading a Science Fiction novel when I was a young Marine, in about 1986. The name of the novel was "Methuselah's Children", by Robert A. Heinlein. One of Heinlein's favorite characters through several novels is a fellow named Lazarus Long. No need to talk about the book, or this character other than to say that this guy could usually be found wearing a kilt, which I thought was very cool.

Fast forward nearly twenty years: Mrs Gunfighter, Olivia and I were attending the Virginia Scottish Games in Alexandria, Va. in 2001 (I think) and were having a great time watching the pipe bands, dancers, and sampling the various crafts and foods that were available. While we were browsing about, I remarked to Susan how much I would like to wear a kilt on a regular basis. Problem was, they are rather impractical. Not only are they made for a Scottish climate (made from heavy wool), they don't have pockets and are prohibitively expensive (a traditional kilt would cost me around $600).

Well, being that it was mid-June, here in Virginia, and hotter than hell, I took an opportunity to get some lemonade for us, while Susan waited in the shade. While I was standing in the line, I noticed a guy in the line at the next booth, wearing a kilt. Which wasn't uncommon, considering where we were, but the thing that made this guy so UNcommon, was that his kilt was black! and it had large cargo pockets!

When I got our lemonade, I noticed that logo over the back pocket (it had back pockets, too!) said "Utilikilts". I was determined, there and then, to find out more.

A few days later, I did a search (was there even a Google, then?) for Utilikilts and found their website, and the rest is history. I now own 5 Utilikilts, and plan on ordering a new one (this one in leather) some time soon.

If you are wondering about the reaction I get to wearing a kilt, I'll tell you this, and my wife will attest to it if you ask her: Women I have never seen before have followed me in the mall; have been brazen enough to ask if I was wearing any underwear; have come up to me and flat-out ask if I was married; have looked me in the face and said "I wish my husband was half the man you are"; have said to me: "OhmyGod! That is the sexiest thing I have ever seen!, can I borrow you for a while?" I must say, I find it hugely flattering. I get this kind of a reaction from women when I am rapidly approaching (well, OK, IN) middle age, getting fatter by the minute, and am only so-so good looking.

Men react in a range of ways. Some tell me how cool it looks. Some tell me they wish they had the nerve. Most are neutral, although many men ask this question: "Aren't you afraid someone will give you a hard time about it?" To which I answer: "Nobody has ever given me any grief about wearing a kilt... after all, who wants to have his ass kicked by a man wearing a skirt?"

So there you are.

Most often, when people think about kilts, they have this sort of image...

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...in their heads, but today, kilts can be found in lots of places, from athletic events...

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To hiking...

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To a rock and roll band at Disneyworld...

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To the war in Iraq.

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To selling a kilt to a woman so she can molest her man while he wears it

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At least, that's what she told me (that is me, on the left... oh God, it was so hot that day!)

Anyway, that's my story.

Oh, the MOST commonly asked question is: "What do you wear under your kilt?" My usual answer is: "My boots and my socks"

You can purchase modern kilts here:

Utilikilts
Amerikilts
21st Century Kilts
Sportkilts
Freedom Kilts

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

this is the most interesting post i've read in a long time...kilts. who'da thunk it...:)

super des said...

That's great. I say if you've got a kilt body, flaunt it! Only some people can get away with it, and it looks like you are among them.

Kudos, Kilt Wearer!

Zanne said...

Great post Mr. Adorable and I'm putting you on notice right now, our next get together I expect to see some leg! ;)

Tasha said...

Very interesting post. You definitely can get away with wearing one. You mentioned the reaction from women, do you ever get comments from kids or other men?

Anonymous said...

A leather kilt?! That's kinky as a kinky thing that's very kinky. I am well impressed.

Anonymous said...

pprrrrrrrrrrrrrrr................

Janet Kincaid said...

Another place to find Utilikilts and their counterparts are Pride Festivals and boutique shops in GLBT neighborhoods. Just FYI.

Anonymous said...

That rocks hard, Gunfighter. Totally.

soccer mom in denial said...

You. Are. Beyond. Cool.

Alex Elliot said...

That was a great post! I'm very impressed that you were a kilt. I particularly liked the part of your post where you wrote that it was almost as cool as wearing a superman suit.

Bent Fabric said...

I've always found kilts sexy.

Grimm said...

"Nobody has ever given me any grief about wearing a kilt... after all, who wants to have his ass kicked by a man wearing a skirt."

Dude, seeing you in that kilt freaking made ME feel like a girly-man.

Gunfighter said...

Joelle,

It does toend to surprise people... to say that very least.

Des,

It helps if you aren't spindly.

Zanne,

Deal!

Tasha,

A lot of men think it is really cool. Some of the comments I get are: "You mean the brothers don't give you any crap about that?" or "Damn, you must be a bad mother%$#&er, dude!" and this one: "That's cool, man, but I don't have the balls to try and pull off that look"

Janet,

Indeed... but the leather kilt is the ultimate in cool and "Don't *#$@ with me"

ML,

I blush easily!

Janet,

I've been asked by people: "Aren't you concerned that people will think you are gay?" To which Inormally answer, I think you are confusing homosexuality with transvestism, which isn't the same, but, no, I'm not. Look around, pretty much all the gay guys wear trousers.

Leslie,

Thank you, ma'am. you've got to get Grimm in one of those. Kilts work best on us burly fellows.

SMID,

Aw shucks, ma'am.

Alex,

Well, NObody is cooler than Superman... not even me.

Bent,

They are... but it is mostly, for me anyway, all about attitude. Wearing a kilt isn't for the people in the herd.

Grimm,

I'm tellin you, dude, you love it. your wife will love it. You will love it even more as a result.

Anonymous said...

You wear boots and socks on your penis?

Just kidding. So is there any truth to the boxer shorts story or is it really commando down there?

Great post! And, howdy to you! :o)

Queen of the Mayhem said...

Well, I have an entirely different image of you now!

Gunfighter= Nonconformist kilt wearer?....HMMM! Interesting!

I like it! :)

Gunfighter said...

Howdy Madame M!

I won't speak for anyone else... but... boxers? In a kilt? Not me!

Eugene Jackson said...

OoH Rah! Thank you for stopping by. You have a great blog.

Semper Fi, Brother!

Lisa Johnson said...

I just heard about these kilts on NPR and thought they sounded pretty cool and it looks even better!

Teresa said...

Who says it wasn't entertaining?! You just get more awesome by the minute, or at least by the post. Many of the reasons you list for wearing a kilt can double for why I shave my head. And yes, you do look sexy in it. Stay drafty!

Terri@SteelMagnolia said...

A friend got married in a kilt... they played the bagpipes... it was neat!

My husband is Irish...
I'm surprised he doesn't give it a try!

Melanie said...

Very infomative post. Thank you!!


Oh and yes you do look FINE in that kilt!!

Redneck Mommy said...

Yep, we chicks dig it.

But if my man wore it, I'd laugh my ass off.

Seeing his chicken white legs in a skirt is not the way to my heart...

It's all about the legs.

Gunfighter said...

RNM<

You are right... it IS all about the legs... and the attitude.

Lola Gets said...

Ive always thought men in kilts (or sarongs, lappas, hell, towels) were HOT! You keep on wearing them!

L

Flower Child said...

I'm a big fan!

Angela Hoffmann said...

wow! you are absolutely adorable, hot sexy etc etc in your kilt..i can't tellyou what it is about them..i am a happily married woman mom of 6 but for some reason i am so drawn to a man in a kilt..your wife must be awesome!~

just wanted to tell you how cool this is...hhhmmmm wonder if my husband would wear one...

xoxo
angela

Gunfighter said...

Why thank you, Angela!!!

Blush blush blush

E.P. said...

This is great stuff. The wife (CaffienatedCowgirl) now thinks I need one.....
Guess what I'll have for my birthday this year!