Family objections to wearing your kilt

[Stratherrick]

On another thread, I was sad to see that some of our number have objections to wearing their kilt from their family. That used to be the case for me in my first marriage. Now, ten years into a new relationship, I am hugely encouraged to don my attire whenever I want.

What objections are being put up by your family and friends?

Just curious...

Bruce

[KFCarter]

I was surprised to discover that my 10 year-old daughter was very self-conscious about being seen with me in my kilt. She didn't seem to mind me in it around the house, but she didn't like having to answer all the questions she got from her friends... "why's your Dad in a skirt?... are you guys from Scotland?"... and the like, when I wore my kilt around her friends or when walking her to school.

She's the exception, though. In general, if others have had any problem, they've kept it to themselves. Most friends and family are openly curious and genuinely supportive.

[Phil]

Funny you should say that - my experience as well. Must be something about wives the first time around.

[Tony Miles]

Funny you should say that - my experience as well. Must be something about wives the first time around.

You know why divorces are so expensive?? -- cuz they're worth it!!


My current wife is from a long line of Scots on both sides and she loves kilts

[MacKay71]

My wife bought me my first kilt!

[Fit2BKilted]

My wife bought me my first kilt!

Me too! She's a fine woman, mine is!

[MacKay71 Wife]

My wife bought me my first kilt!

You go, babe! Seriously, I did buy him his first kilt, and I am usually the first one to say "wear your kilt." My family gives him a lot of good natured teasing, but has overall been supportive. But then, as my dad jokes, "we knew he was a little weird when you first brought him around."

I really think it has to do more with your attitude than anyone else's. Do you wear your kilt because it's really part of who you are or do you wear it because it ticks other people off? There are times such as weddings, etc., that MacKay71 will ask someone ahead of time if it's okay if he wears his kilt. Usually because he's been respectful enough to ask, they say yes. Wearing a kilt should be about fun, comfort, heritage, etc. and should not be about "love me love my dog." While you should always be free to wear what you want and being supported by your family should come with that, sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. There are those times when offending someone, whether they are right or not, is just not worth the family disharmony!

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

Hey, same with my first wife. She objected too.

[NewPiperinNY]

And here I thought it was the bagpipes that had my daughter self-conscious ...

It's strange how funny people think they are when they make the 'skirt' comment. Even my uncle, not trying to be funny, was more impressed with the fact that I could wear a 'skirt' in public then the fact that I learned to play the pipes well enough to march in less than 6 months.

[EagleJCS]

It's strange how funny people think they are when they make the 'skirt' comment.

I agree. My s-i-l and her mother ("M") have both made 'there he is in his skirt' comments every time I come around in my kilt. (My s-i-l isn't as vocal about it now as she once was, and she now corrects my niece when she makes the skirt comment - parroting her meemaw "M". I think someone else in my family gave my s-i-l a talking-to about it, but I'm not sure.)

Just last week, I was asked to play my pipes for the funeral of a friend of "M". When I arrived, I found "M", who then introduced me to one of the funeral home managers and "M" made the comment 'This is John, the piper. I wanted to make sure you knew that he wasn't just dressing weird.' or something to that effect. I just glanced at her and let it go. The lady (I use the term politely) simply has no tact.

The rest of my family really has no problem with me wearing a kilt from time to time - at least no one has said anything to me about it. I don't wear a kilt regularly, and usually only wear one to family occasions when I'm going to or returning from a piping gig and don't have time to change.