A Dissapointing conversation

[Rigged]

You might say something like, "Many guys felt the same way when their wives started wearing pants back in the 1970's."

[Dreadbelly]

You might say something like, "Many guys felt the same way when their wives started wearing pants back in the 1970's."

I have found that this approach is not such a good idea. It creates more of an "us vs them" vibe or worse, derails the actual conversation in to an even more heated debate. The sum of which is usually "Men have always had freedom in what they were, we haven't, we deserve to wear pants." This escalates quickly in to an unwinnable argument due to the emotional triggers involved.

My two coppers.

[Dirk Skene]

You might say something like, "Many guys felt the same way when their wives started wearing pants back in the 1970's."

Good point Rigged! I think I will at least try that.

[Red Lioness]

It's very sad that a woman cannot appreciate the fact that her man likes to wear something sharp, even in casual day to day affairs. Most people these days like to dress like they just came from the gym and it's hard to find someone who takes pride in thier appearance. I remember walking into a shoe store and asking for dancing shoes and being shown pink and yellow sneakers. Oh yeah, I'd look snazzy doing a tango in those. :rolleyes:

My experience in public kilted in noticably different, because hey, a woman in a 'skirt' is no biggie. I get a much bigger reaction when I go 'kimono-ing' in public. Different clothing, same concept. Strangers love it, I get tons of comments on how beautiful and elegant they are, whether I'm headed to a corporate gathering in a silk tomesode or standing in front of the local Wal-Mart in my favorite blue yukata.

My family, however, reacts differently. My mother, who loves men in kilts (and she's single btw), calls my kimono wearing 'dressing up' and definitely categorizes it as 'special occasion wear'. My ex-husband went nuts for my kimono when we were around the house (I think it was the ever so handy vents under the arms ) but saw them as a costume.

Overcoming this resistance from friends and loved ones is part of dressing differently. You'll get more attention from strangers and some (or most) of your friends and family don't want extra attention. They're going to try to discourage that attention by discouraging the source of it: your kilt/kimono/whatever).

Be strong, my brother! Stand up for yourself and your right to wear what you like!

P.S. I know everyone's probably sick about hearing about my kimono, but I've yet to find a kimono forum filled with such fine people as this board, so you're stuck with me.

[Dreadbelly]

It's very sad that a woman cannot appreciate the fact that her man likes to wear something sharp, even in casual day to day affairs. Most people these days like to dress like they just came from the gym and it's hard to find someone who takes pride in thier appearance. I remember walking into a shoe store and asking for dancing shoes and being shown pink and yellow sneakers. Oh yeah, I'd look snazzy doing a tango in those. :rolleyes:

My experience in public kilted in noticably different, because hey, a woman in a 'skirt' is no biggie. I get a much bigger reaction when I go 'kimono-ing' in public. Different clothing, same concept. Strangers love it, I get tons of comments on how beautiful and elegant they are, whether I'm headed to a corporate gathering in a silk tomesode or standing in front of the local Wal-Mart in my favorite blue yukata.

My family, however, reacts differently. My mother, who loves men in kilts (and she's single btw), calls my kimono wearing 'dressing up' and definitely categorizes it as 'special occasion wear'. My ex-husband went nuts for my kimono when we were around the house (I think it was the ever so handy vents under the arms ) but saw them as a costume.

Overcoming this resistance from friends and loved ones is part of dressing differently. You'll get more attention from strangers and some (or most) of your friends and family don't want extra attention. They're going to try to discourage that attention by discouraging the source of it: your kilt/kimono/whatever).

Be strong, my brother! Stand up for yourself and your right to wear what you like!

P.S. I know everyone's probably sick about hearing about my kimono, but I've yet to find a kimono forum filled with such fine people as this board, so you're stuck with me.

Heck, I'd go out in public with you whilst wearing a kimono. So long as you didn't mind if I wore a hakama with it. I'll be durned if I can find the little wooden sandles any place in my size though. My wife likes to look at kimonos, but I doubt she would actually wear one out of the house.

[Scott Gilmore]

... I'll be durned if I can find the little wooden sandles any place in my size though. ...

The Japanese Geta Shop.
.

[McClef]

I have to agree with Scott.

Unless you are in a crowd of other kilties you are definitely going against the grain when you are the only one walking around in one.

Yesterday I was heckled by a woman saying I looked like a woman so I was able to point out that she was wearing trousers so what did that make her?

Fortunately I have found such comments to be rare but if she had seen me in trousers she would not have given me a second thought.

When you are different in your attire you stand out, you are larger than life and you challenge people's preconceptions.