 "Photo: Kristine Johnson")
To the typical college student, jeans or sweatpants will always have a place in their daily wardrobe. The comfort and versatility of a good pair of jeans is something that most students are aware of. UW-Whitewater senior Joe Millis, on the other hand, has a strong counterpoint for this trend and is not afraid to display it. In this case, the display is wearing a kilt.
It's easy to say that most UW-Whitewater students know who Millis is, without really knowing who he is. 'That boy who wears the kilt' or 'Kilt Boy' are just a few of the phrases that bring to mind the college student whose daily attire always includes a kilt.
Although it is the traditional dress of men in Scotland, Millis was not inspired by his heritage. Rather, he was inspired by Mel Gibson's character in "Braveheart." He first tried out a kilt in sixth grade with a homemade version he created himself. "It was a really crappy, homemade one, a little more than a bed sheet thing," Millis said.
He gave up on the idea after a while because he didn't like his homemade version, but a Halloween event brought back his passion.
"Halloween came a couple years ago and I thought, 'I'm going to put on a kilt, war paint, that kind of thing,'" Millis said. "And then I thought, oh, that's why I love this thing."
Millis has made a name for himself by wearing the kilts around campus, even though his intention was just the opposite. He never enjoyed being around people and wanted to be "invisible." But he also wanted to wear a kilt.
For someone who doesn't enjoy being around people and wanted to be "invisible," wearing a kilt might not be the way to go. For Millis, his desire to remain anonymous in society was overpowered by his desire to wear a kilt.
"It forced me to grow as a person and to get involved," Millis said.
While most students might have a hard time understanding how Millis can handle the funny stares and glances he endures on a daily basis, he assures the benefits outweigh the negatives.
"I've heard from medical professionals that it's healthier to wear a kilt," Millis said. "And you have a level of respect, because [people] know you're willing to do something that not everyone is comfortable with." For anyone who is daring to plunge the waters of two-legged trouser freedom, he recommends alphakilts.com for a more traditional feel, and stillwaterkilts.com for cheaper but durable wear.
"A skirt is not a gender specific term, it's a piece of cloth wrapped around," Millis said. "Give it a week, and you'll never go back."
Be the first to comment on this article!