Two local kilt makers are breathing fresh life into the classic garment-making tradition.

Jackson Wagner and Justin Guthrie are on a mission to bring the joy and freedom of everyday kilt wearing to men and women of all ages and are opening a store in View Royal to help them do just that.

Due to the surging popularity of kilts, fuelled by a growing trend of personalizing weddings, their business has grown out of WagnerB次元官网网址檚 retrofitted garage in Langford to their new retail location.

B次元官网网址淭his is our first big venture,B次元官网网址� says Wagner, co-owner and kilt maker at North of HadrianB次元官网网址檚 Kilts and Celtic Clothing. B次元官网网址淏usiness put us there sooner than expected.B次元官网网址�

The business partners couldnB次元官网网址檛 be happier with the growth, he says, but they are terrified just the same.

But the duo know kilts B次元官网网址� Wagner, for example, only owns one pair of pants.

B次元官网网址淚 have a beat-up pair of jogging pants,B次元官网网址� he says, noting theyB次元官网网址檙e for emergencies such as having to run out of the house quickly, say to escape a fire. He doubts, however, that he would grab the pants over a kilt in the middle of the night. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e worn kilts for a little over two decades. ItB次元官网网址檚 so comfortable to wear a kilt, so why not wear one?B次元官网网址�

He compares the experience to getting out of the shower and wrapping a towel around your waist. B次元官网网址淥nce itB次元官网网址檚 on B次元官网网址� You just canB次元官网网址檛 help but stand a little taller and put a little swoosh in your pleats as we say.B次元官网网址�

For those unsure of the process, Wagner says there really is no wrong way to wear a kilt. From a style perspective, they range from the more traditional through to leather studded ones. With thousands of different tartans to choose from, he says, thereB次元官网网址檚 something for everyone.

B次元官网网址淲e often tell people, donB次元官网网址檛 try to put yourself in a mould B次元官网网址� If you like what you see youB次元官网网址檙e doing it right. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no such thing as someone who shouldnB次元官网网址檛 wear a kilt.B次元官网网址�

For those a little wary of sudden gusts of wind, Wagner assures that B次元官网网址淢arilyn Monroe momentsB次元官网网址� are rare. B次元官网网址淚 have yet to give someone a free show,B次元官网网址� he says, laughing.

After a soft opening through October to fine tune the storefront, Wagner and Guthrie will celebrate the grand opening of the first North of HadrianB次元官网网址檚 store front, 264 Island Hwy. this Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 14 and 15) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Celebrations include a tartan ribbon cutting Saturday and traditional Scottish music performed by the Vancouver Island Caledonia Pipe Band. Wagner said there will also be some special discounts and deals to mark the occasion.

For more information go to .

katie@goldstreamgazette.com