I need some help with my family.

[Improv1]

I still find it hard to believe that, in today's society, wearing a kilt for casual occasions is such a big deal. Back when I was in school (sound of far-off violins playing) we were looked down upon for wearing our punk/new wave clothes, bondage pants, purple hair, or safety pin piercings. Today, you get waited on in restaurants by people dressed like this. Maybe after kilts have been around a few years (biting my cheek) they will become more socially accepted, but hopefully not mainstream. Judging from the growing numbers of kilted men out there, it's already happening.

Speaking as a father of five, communication is the key. Find a place or common activity that you both enjoy, and then bring the subject up for discussion. Ask open-ended questions to find out what he doesn't like about the situation, why he feels that way, what solution can you come up with that would satisfy both sides. If you are allowed to wear it to school without incident, then you can use that open the door to wearing it out more.

I wish you the best on this one, and feel free to have your Dad contact me to discuss this. If you PM me, I can give you my email.

[sirdaniel1975]

Education! You have to educate your father without him knowing it. Be very subtle about it at first.

- Go to the highland games and video some of it, then watch it casually at home so that he sees some of it. Learn the origin of the games and how the modern strongman competitions relate to them.

- Obtain videos/dvd's that feature men in kilts and again, casually watch it so that he sees it. Public libraries usually have a few Scottish history videos on hand.

- You need to find friends who have kilts, and invite them over your house for a kilted gathering. Don't put your kilt on till the last minute... he he he he! This one is less subtle.

- Explain the health benefits of wearing a kilt.

- Learn all there is to know yourself.

- And if all this fails...wait till college... no one will care! Usually....

- You have to find ways to show how masculine a kilt really is... which is probably the real issue with your father. I doubt he sees it as being a male garmet. Which is an other point, he has to learn that a kilt is an article of clothing and not a costume.

- When your kilted, look your best. That means look neat and have your accessories on: sporran & sporran belt, kilt hoes, garter flashes, kilt belt, and maybe a kilt pin.

As a musician myself, I have a difficult time conforming to societies norms. As artists, we have a different outlook on life that few can understand. We tend to be more excepting of a person's own individuality and tend to create our own persona in life with ease. When it comes to a kilt, most folks have had years of bombardment, brainwashing, etc., to have a cookie cutter image of how things are supposed to be. Just look at the "restroom symbols" as an example. Your obviously an independent lad, be proud of that.

[souzaphone711]

Thanks guys, it's nice to have a really supportive community to turn to when I need help. I think the first step I will be taking is to send him here. My parents are somewhat conservative and come from somewhat conservative families so this will be a bit of an uphill battle but one I am willing to fight. Sadly, I still have almost 2 years left under their roof before college. Until then I'll just have to live with it and hope to change their minds.


It's funny though, I actually managed to convince them to let me wear my kilt to my high school's Homecoming dance this fall. Seems somewhat odd they would let me do that but not wear it whenever I choose casually.

[Kilted KT]

Another thing you can do is wear shirts and what not relating to the kilt, like an Xmarks shirt, or one from any of the other vendors here ( urge for shameless plug painfully beatten down). Even if you are not wearing the kilt, you can wear items that will get your parents used to seeing you in kilted attire of one form or another might help your cause.