Seeking experienced advice on wearing and caring for the kilt

[Tenmiles]

My first wool kilt (Strathclyde Modern Buchanan) looks as good today as the first day I wore it almost 40 years ago.

Good to know!

I hope you will notice that, having been happily married myself for 33 years, I'm not going anywhere near question #2.

You're right of course, and it's a good reminder for me; there's no doubt that if I go to her and say "well I asked around on the forums, and all the blokes say this...", she'll just give me that look which says "well, you married me, not all those blokes, so whose opinion carries more weight?"

...your wife's advice is actually not bad for a whole different reason

(Reminds me of that saying: "If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way your wife suggested". It's funny because it's true.)

By wearing it around the house you'll discover [...] how to do so gracefully, modestly, and with masculinity.

That's a very good point. I've already watched Rocky's videos, and observed kilted friends, so I figured I had something of a handle on it, but I think you're right about simply getting some firsthand experience.

I would go so far to say that if you wear it more often you'll look more comfortable during the wedding, because you won't be wearing it as a "costume" but as simply something you're used to wearing.

And THAT's just the sort of idea I was looking for! It hadn't actually occurred to me in such simple words as that, but I think that's a smart way of looking at it. It isn't likely to be a deal-changer, as one could just as easily argue that all the necessary wearing experience could be had in the house, where it's safer for the garment.
(I'm sure neither of us, she or I, would be worried about becoming psychologically acclimated to kilt-wearing, in terms of not projecting suitable confidence whilst wearing it; I'm regarded among those who know me as one who isn't the least bit shy about unorthodox or eccentric dress; in fact it's always been one of the things I've felt pride in, so it's merely the functional and practical mechanics of kilt-wearing which I have to master; not any sense of shyness.)

And yes, pick your battles. I've always been happier with the results of negotiating than fighting, tell the truth. I just want to find a happy middle ground which allows both of us to feel respected and satisfied. Considering everything else we've managed to overcome in our time, this is not such a big deal.

I will, however, tell you my story [...] a nice dinner at a local brew pub. I was dying to wear my newly-received kilt to the dinner, but my dad convinced me not to because the wedding was only a few days away. Good thing! I was sitting at the end of a long table, and when one of the attendees (I think it was my eldest son) got up to go to the washroom, his legs accidentally lifted the table and I ended up with a couple of pints in my lap. Take from this what you will

Thanks; yes, it's good to hear the other side of it too. I definitely do want to be quite careful not to put the garment into any undue risk, and something as ordinary as a dinner out (not that we ever do much of that) has its risks. I just want to be able to indulge myself and wear it sometimes, at least, and be seen in it, because five months is a long time to wait.