" But in my traditional kilt, I find that people think I need a REASON other than "I like it" to be wearing it, and get a bit perturbed when I don't have an answer that suits them. "

Thats been my experience as well. People want a story involving your grandfather, the piper in The Great War, and vows made on the clan claymore. I think my Polish grandpa was dodging Soviets and making vows on the family vodka still back then.