Careful, I'm thinking again -- I think there are a couple of reasons why unwanted kilt checks and other issues don't happen to me.
When I started wearing kilts, I decided to only wear kilts for the first month to "learn the ropes" so that they would become habit. I went through the looking over my shoulder phase before the month was done. As such I don't really think about it and I don't put off an air of self consciousness. Being comfortable in what you wear is a huge part of the air you put off and how you react in situations and how people react to you. In that month you have learned the terminology of kilts and most of the jokes and questions you will get asked. With a good sense of humor and a bold assertiveness, the problems vanish. BTW at the end of the month, I started getting rid of my p**ts and hope to burn the last pair soon.
The other reason is my personal preference to solid colors and muted tartans. For some reason they don't get the same responses that the brighter "flashy" tartans do when otherwise dressed casual. They excel with a more formal outfit and occasions where suit and ties and maybe tails are are the expected unkilted dress code. I have no problem with the term costume for this as it is not how I would dress for every day life. This is a personal preference, I have been to Hawaii several times and have never bought a Hawaiian shirt either. Wear what you are comfortable with for the occasion with some thought as to over or under dressing it. If you aren't self conscious about it, you probably will not have any problems.
Swing, swish, sway and (I know I'm missing one) on.Chuck
PS. I just had a terrible thought of a solid dayglow orange kilt. Aarg.
I think I better be directing traffic or airplanes.
Bookmarks