I've always been "the weird one" in my family, from my days of multicolored hair and leather and spikes, through boots and braces, and now the kilt. It's almost expected of me.

My parents know better than to say anything to me. I know my father thinks its daft, but he keeps his mouth shut because he's always said, "I don't give a damn what you do after you turn 21 so long as its not criminal." My mother can't believe I wear it out in public all the time, but that's just because she still thinks I care about what other people think. She does, however, get excited when I finish making a new kilt because I'm the only one of her children who's really taken after her in the sewing department and she's quite amazed I do it all by hand.

My 16 year old neice already thinks I'm totally strange so wearing a kilt, for her, is just par of the course. My 10 year old nephew, however, is a bit hostile to it, but that's because he's a total conformist just like his dad (my brother). For him, it's okay for a Scotsman to wear one (and by Scotsman, he means someone born and raised in Scotland), but not okay for his uncle to wear one. He and I usually give each other wide berth, but that's because I think he's a brat and don't put up with any of his antics/tantrums and he knows it.

Ironically enough, my in-laws are the most supportive. For those of you who remember, my mother-in-law wasn't the most accepting of my wearing of the kilt at the wedding, but she has come around. Her only comment in recent months has been, "What, doesn't she let you wear pants anymore?" and that was said in an obvious light-hearted manner. They ask questions about it and accept the answers at face value.

I think one of the key factors in getting family who aren't receptive to casual kilt wearing to accept it is to remain as non-defensive as possible. Wearing a kilt must become a matter of fact, so to speak, and being defensive about it can lead to arguments, animosity, and resentment. Keep yourself, at least, cool and just be who you are.