Ahhh... October, the changing leaves, brisk mornings, fall festivals, and the annual "Kilts on Halloween" thread!

You know, The first time I wore a kilt out in public was on 'Halloween dress-up day' at work. I'd recieved my kilt, sporran, hose, and 'Jacobite' shirt all from Sportkilt, only a few days before. I had not found this forum yet, and had a lot of the fears about venturing out the 'first time' that new kilt wearers often express here.
In retrospect I looked woeful, but I figured correctly that Halloween would be a chance to test out kilt wearing without sticking out so much, it gave me the mental excuse I needed to get out there.

Now I agree 100% with the idea that modern kilts are men's clothing and not a costume, but we also imply that the kilt is a versitile garmet that is as at home at a rugby match as it is at a formal ball, so I don't see why kilts can't be part of a costume, just like any other article of clothing. I would imply that the kilt as part of an obvious fantasy costume is not 'de-legitimized' any more than jeans or whatever else you might be wearing is. Most of the general public already already thinks we're nuts for dressing this way outside of Celtic events anyway, seeing you in your faux Braveheart getup on Halloween is not going to change that view one way or the other!

Look at these goofballs at a halloween party last year; Left to right; my wife, our friend Dene, and I.

Dene and I don't wear these outfits other than on Halloween and at Ren Faires! Even though I might wear the same kilts, I see a big difference between my "faire garb" and everyday outfits. I know some folks like to wear those "Jacobite" shirts with kilts, but I don't wear that type of vest or shirt or my renfaire gillie shoes any other time of the year.