Hmmh, good question Dave. Maybe one I should have thought about before diving into kilt wearing full time, but that is an issue for another thread (i.e. is KCW a self-centered SOB or just a misunderstood father, tune in tonight on Geraldo!). Basically, I just dove right in, for everybody. My girls are 3 and 5, so close to your kids, and they both have been going to pre-school (Montessori), for the past 2 years. I started wearing kilts last September, after our move to Chicago, and after they had started their new school. And to be honest, there have been no issues. Some of the kids (and parents and school staff) have asked why I wear a kilt, but all very inoffensive and really just curious. I actually took the girls to some birthday parties soon after I started wearing a kilt, and got few comments (mainly from the parents), and some friendly questions. The most interesting one was a pool party in November (indoors of course), and I had to use the family changing room, along with all of the other parents who had opposite sex children. Some of the ladies thought is quite funny, no overt comments, just could tell.

I guess what I am saying is that the parents are more likely to have a problem with the kilt, and their kids will likely reflect that, regardless of when they see you wearing it, day one or after Halloween (Sorry John, no offense intended).

I have had few occasions to question whether I shoudl wear a kilt since I started. The last time was for my uncle's funeral (My father's younger brother) early this year. My uncle died suddenly from a massive heart attack at age 54. I immediately flew down for the funeral. I had only been wearing a kilt for 4-5 months at that point and not around my family much as we are in Chicago right now. I decided to take kilts to wear for casual wear, and also a nice (USAK BW semi-trad) one with my Argyll jacket for the funeral. I also took a nice dark colored suit. When I got there, I asked my father if he would mind if I wore my kilt to the funeral and made it clear it did not matter to me either way. He just looked at me and said he did not care. Kilts were part of who I am and he was just glad to have me there. After that comment, I have never worried about anybody else's opinion on my kilt wearing or where. It falls into 2 camps, either you wear a kilt as part of your wardrobe, or it is a costume that you wear only under certain conditions, and possibly if you feel it will be well received.

And before I start a war with those comments, I am sensitive that not everybody wears a kilt for the same reasons as I do. I am just pointing out a greater truth, that what a person choses to wear should not influence somebody else's opinion of them.