Family objections to wearing your kilt

[McMurdo]

My younger brother, who owns a menswear store, by the way, gave me a pair of pants for my birthday last year. They have hung in the closet ever since. I do have to deal with things like that from time to time.

[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.

[ChubRock]

My wife is starting to dig it actually. My thirteen year old daughter is still not wanting to be seen with me in public because at this age she doesn't want to have any reason to seem out of norm. Truly since I wear a UK, they tell people it is a carpenter's kilt and everybody's like "cool." It just takes time.

[Riverkilt]

Got word at our gathering of cousins last month that one of my first cousins once removed - a young lady in her 20s - didn't think much of me wearing a skirt. Her mother, my first cousin, asked me to educate her.

When she arrived I went right to her and asked her if she liked my skirt. Told her politely that it is called a kilt, the traditional dress in the land of her ancestors, and that the tartan I was wearing was Scott - her family tartan.

She didn't say anything and pretty much avoided me the rest of the time. Her stuff, not mine. Probably more to do with kids not liking parents than the kilt.

[Fit2BKilted]

My wife bought me my first kilt!

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

[dfmacliam]

My mother thinks it's great, but she reminds me we are Irish. My 5 yr old grandbaby asked her mom why her "cheii" (grandpa) is wearing a skirt in pictures.... so my daughter explains culture shows her pictures, and then she still asks why is cheii and them men wearing skirts? Lol I guess when she gets older she will understand.

[Mike in Dayton]

My ex-wife did not like them at all. I think she was just jealous that I looked better in a skirt then she did. ;)

As for others (family and friends), reaction is mixed. It appears there is no issue when worn as a costume for a Celtic event or even KiltNights. Worn around town running errands appears to be another matter.

Mike

[celtic cowboy]

Well my Mom stoped with the off comments, My nice and nephew still joke about it. And I was told that if I had made it to my Mom's family meetup this year that "a bunch" of them were going to give me grief. Oh well, I do plan on going next year.....I hope to have a Armstrong by then since that is the big part of Scot on Mom's side. Funny thing my Dad never says a word, maybe there is a little pride in the old guy some where.

[Fit2BKilted]

My mom thinks kilts are for 'faggy crossdressers' and truly hates them. I think my dad must have wanted one, and that's her problem. She still hasn't gotten over us naming my eldest after my dad. My grandma still refuses to call him by name.

That's a sad story. I presume your father has passed on. I hope your son will persevere by your example, and keep the spirit alive. My son passed away the day he was born; and, two daughters later, I'm resigned that my line will end with me.

[Fit2BKilted]

My wife is from Korea (South), and she hates it when I wear my kilt anywhere but to some shindig where everybody is kilted. I never make fun of her traditional dress, but she just hates the kilt.

I even showed her the Korean in a kilt, and she just walked away.

Does Korean culture not have a MUG (Masculine Unbifurcated Garment) in it's history? Perhaps that might soften some views...