Very interesting thread.

I bought my first and only kilt last fall. It's an ancient MacKay to honour my maternal scottish-born grandmother. My wife was very supportive and actually encouraged me to get it when I hesitated. She really loves it when I wear it. My 25 year old son is neutral and has not commented either way.

Initially, I wore it when a good friend and his wife and my wife and I would get together. He would wear his County Cork kilt and I mine. A good time was had by all.

Then I worked up the nerve to wear it in front of my parents. Both in their 80s, I thought my mother would be very pleased since her mother was scottish-born. If she was, she didn't say much other than smile and say "Nice". My dad on the other hand was not impressed to the point of ignoring it and I'm sure he is lamenting the fact that his only son started wearing a "skirt".

I wore it whenever they would come over for Sunday supper hoping that they would come to accept it and I also wore it at Christmas but it didn't seem to improve things. I also wore it a few times in public and had plenty of good comments. But knowing that my parents do not approve has prevented me from enjoying it. And since my kilted friend and his wife moved back to Nova Scotia in May, I have not worn it since.

My niece is getting married in January and I intend to ask her if I can wear my kilt. I'm sure she will say yes (and she is French!!) so I am looking forward to wear it along with my Argyle jacket and waist coat.

I think the only way around this for me is to not wear it when my parents are with me and to start wearing it in public again.

Sorry for the long rant...