What's a Nice Way to Put This?

[MacGumerait]

I beg to differ, Good Sir; in the UK, where English originates, "Wangle" is exactly the correct word in the context Father Bill uses it as in "to arrange for". "Wrangle" is more associated with some kind of (usually minor) dispute, as in this case, it might be applied to the OP's original question.

But then the USA and the UK are two nations separated by a common language!

Good point . Maybe we shouldn't " Wrangle " about " Wangle " .

[Deirachel]

I have to take a different, albeit unpopular, stance. Your parents are not wrong.

The kilt is part of a costume. Specifically, the Scottish National Dress, but it is a costume.

We, in general, take the term costume to refer to a disguise or the clothing an actor wears. But, the word actually means "A set of clothes in a style typical of a particular country or historical period" (from the Oxford Dictionaries). Of course, jeans and a t-shirt are a costume, as well.

The problem they have is not what it is or isn't. Your post states they believe it's to be worn for specific purpose. Taking them to a Highland Games/Clan Gathering/etc will NOT help your cause, as they have relegated the kilt to "Scottish Event Wear" (for course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't go!). Seeing other men in kilts at the Games just re-enforces their view.

What you need to find out is why they don't want you to wear it, behind the idea "it's a costume". You have to change the connotation of "costume" and "kilt" for them. You can't do that until you understand the connotation correctly. Is it because it's not "normal"? In this case, they may find the pictures and views of this forum helpful (at the same time, it may hurt... we are a rather eclectic bunch!). Is it the cost of the kilt? Some folks don't like the idea of wearing an article of clothing which cost a hundred dollars or more as "casual" wear. Is it a concern about bullying? (Being home-schooled, you are already "different" than most... they may just be a bit overprotective on this issue.)

Education should help them; but. unless you understand what you are dealing with, you're stuck.

[ratspike]

The problem they have is not what it is or isn't. Your post states they believe it's to be worn for specific purpose. Taking them to a Highland Games/Clan Gathering/etc will NOT help your cause, as they have relegated the kilt to "Scottish Event Wear" (for course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't go!). Seeing other men in kilts at the Games just re-enforces their view.

This is complete win. As I've been bouncing this around in my head, asking myself what I'd do if it was me, I keep coming back to this. It's pretty hard to imagine even a casual version of traditional kilt wearing would do much to dispell the 'rents notion of kilts being a costume. Again, if it were me, I'd start looking in a completely different direction. Guys wear kilts hiking and backpacking, shooting, and doing crossfit or running marathons. They're artists, or they build stuff, repair roofs, run pizzarias and coffee shops, or do blacksmithing. Regular guys doing regular stuff, but wearing both tartan and not-tartan kilts.

This will be an unpopular statement with many, but Utilikilts has it right when it comes to this. If you just brush away the outer layer of attitude, they've absolutely nailed it. I wouldn't send the parentals to the Utilikilts site, but IMO that's a good direction to go to start gathering examples of "regular dude, but he's wearing a kilt".

[Duke of Delrio]

It could be that you are stuck, but from where I am sitting, where you may be stuck is not such a bad place. Your parents are already in obvious support of your piping. That is far from being in a bad place. I once had a father ask me if I thought his son's request for a set of bagpipes was wrong-headed and just downright strange. Bagpipes around here are only a little less rare than moon rocks. That young man is now a really superb piper who not only plays well, but is always well turned out when he plays them. His father is now his biggest fan. While his dad may not have been overly enthusiastic about the pipes, to begin with, there was never a time when he was not in his son's corner.

I doubt there is anything on earth that looks so much like God as two parents when they are in agreement. Yet, parents share a common trait with their children. You cannot tell them much . . . they must be shown. I don't mean a bunch of pictures of a bunch of guys doing a bunch of things while wearing a kilt. Let them see you and be with you in those circumstances so wisely suggested by Father Bill. Mean while, be the best kilted piper they have ever heard.