It's those closest to you who can be the biggest stumbling block.

[jrmiller]

Wade,
Your words ring true, I started wearing kilts last winter for the first time ever. Wife didn't like it. I have persisted and over time she is approaching and perhaps have reached acceptance. She admitted to me that I looked good in it. This is after wearing the kilt out with her on several different occasions and once around her family.

She is always worried that someone will disapprove and was very worried that her family would disapprove. However, in 95% of my encounters, it hasn't bothered anyone and does pull in several compliments. The other 5% have just been funny looks and sneers.

I think the reason my wife was worried is she thought something bigger was going on with me and didn't want to loose me to a new life. She has even questioned my sexuality, but after several months, it's clear to her I have not changed in that respect.

It's probably the same with any family member, if you have not shown an interest in kilts in the past, then something fundamental must have changed. There has to be a "reason".

Well, there is a "reason", we simply like them. Why do women like jeans?

My advice is to keep wearing your kilts and show that you are still "as normal as you were before". You may back-off a little bit around the family, but don't give it up. You want them to understand that your interest hasn't changed and kilts are here to stay. Once they determine that the only thing different about you is an interest in kilts, things will settle down, acceptance will form.

[Frank McGrath]

You can pick your friends, but are stuck with family. Just do it. Thdy can't kill you.

[English Bloke]

I've had positive and negative reaction to wearing the Kilt and I don't wear a Modern Kilt either. Some people just don't like the Kilt or see them as too outside their comfortable norms, tartan or otherwise. You're safe in trousers... They have a non comprehending "why would you want to wear a Kilt when you're not Scottish" attitude; something those of us who don't sound Scottish will probably be familiar with.

I think it's their problem myself. They fear to be different. That said, I agree with Jock and Tam that tartan is probably easier to accept for the disapproving observer than Util-kilts. If you are not happy with seeing men in anything but trousers then they must blow your mind!! I would suggest that people new to wearing Kilts who want an easier ride could try sticking to a more traditional style in the beginning, at least until people are used to seeing them Kilted.

I would however be tempted to say 'stick it' to those who continually disapprove.

Incidentally Staticsan. There's a company called 'Highland Inspirations' on Australian ebay
( http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KILT-GREY-STE...742.m153.l1262 )
who are doing four different, traditional type, 6 to 8 yard kilts for AU$103 incl. P&P (£40 - ish/ US$65 - ish) that's not too bad a price either. I know you need to get all the other bits to top it off which all adds to the final bill but you don't need to get those immediately. Perhaps that might be the way to go for the time being and would help to get 'em on side. Christmas is coming by the way ... Maybe you could get them to buy you a sporran.

[Bugbear]

No advice to give, but good luck.

[Tommie]

If you like wearing a kilt-be it Tartan or any other fabric,and you like how it feels and looks on you no matter what others may think,than by all means wear it.
Like the song says" I hope you dance",because life is to short to give a rats what others say about how you dress.

[Roan Carter]

It's the same way in my family. I have been approached by giant black thugs on the streets of Chicago who just wanted to lay praise on me in thick, thick ebonics -- but my family remains the biggest opponent to me wearing a kilt.

The traditional kilts go over more easily, in my experience, as do dark tartans that have a bit of green.

[Southern Breeze]

I totally agree with Jock a tartan kilt and sporran is identified as a kilt and not a skirt

That's been my experiance as well. Solid colors seem to be identified as 'skirt'.

[MichiScot]

I guess I've been blessed. My wife has been totally encouraging me and my mother ordered a pattern to make one, possibly. I just got mine from SWK and wore it to my parents' house Friday. They both said it looked good ( I"ll post a picture after I iron it).

[jordanjm]

I know how bad it can be from family. My Parents do not like it. My In-Laws do not like it, but all things pertaining to my Clan call to me. My wife understands, but asks me to be mindful of her. Some days she just does not want to stand out as much as she does when out with me wearing my Kilt.

[socalferg]

After some consideration of your description of the response you were given, I would agree that a traditional tartan kilt may have made the introduction ‘smoother’ for you and your bothers family. You may have just taken them out of their comfort zone.

I’m lucky that none of my family thinks it’s odd, it’s part of our heritage. And admittedly, they are not surprised by anything I do anymore! Also, I have a wonderful (Hispanic) girlfriend who is into all things ‘Celtic’.

Just hang in there dude, wear what you wear, be an emissary of kilt knowledge, and they’ll either get it or get over it.