It's very sad that a woman cannot appreciate the fact that her man likes to wear something sharp, even in casual day to day affairs. Most people these days like to dress like they just came from the gym and it's hard to find someone who takes pride in thier appearance. I remember walking into a shoe store and asking for dancing shoes and being shown pink and yellow sneakers. Oh yeah, I'd look snazzy doing a tango in those. :rolleyes:

My experience in public kilted in noticably different, because hey, a woman in a 'skirt' is no biggie. I get a much bigger reaction when I go 'kimono-ing' in public. Different clothing, same concept. Strangers love it, I get tons of comments on how beautiful and elegant they are, whether I'm headed to a corporate gathering in a silk tomesode or standing in front of the local Wal-Mart in my favorite blue yukata.

My family, however, reacts differently. My mother, who loves men in kilts (and she's single btw), calls my kimono wearing 'dressing up' and definitely categorizes it as 'special occasion wear'. My ex-husband went nuts for my kimono when we were around the house (I think it was the ever so handy vents under the arms ) but saw them as a costume.

Overcoming this resistance from friends and loved ones is part of dressing differently. You'll get more attention from strangers and some (or most) of your friends and family don't want extra attention. They're going to try to discourage that attention by discouraging the source of it: your kilt/kimono/whatever).

Be strong, my brother! Stand up for yourself and your right to wear what you like!

P.S. I know everyone's probably sick about hearing about my kimono, but I've yet to find a kimono forum filled with such fine people as this board, so you're stuck with me.