Family objections to wearing your kilt

[Brother Falldown]

The condition of getting along with family, I forget the wording, but I have no doubt she would do all in her power to keep that from happening. My dad was a Mason, and she doesn't like me doing anything that he did.

Your defference to your mother may or may not be admirable. Regardless, after three decades in the fraternity, and some time in the "East" I am not aware of anything that would preclude you from petitioning for the degrees. There are some landmarks that have to be adhered to, but your family's approval isn't one of them. And I just realised how VERY FAR off topic I have drifted. My apologies.

Pop

[sathor]

Your defference to your mother may or may not be admirable. Regardless, after three decades in the fraternity, and some time in the "East" I am not aware of anything that would preclude you from petitioning for the degrees. There are some landmarks that have to be adhered to, but your family's approval isn't one of them. And I just realised how VERY FAR off topic I have drifted. My apologies.

Pop

Well, last Friday I told her she could take her "fa**y crossdresser" comment and shove it up.... and then hung up on her.

She says I dropped out of college, even though she was at my graduation.

[Zardoz]

To further the study a little bit. I own both tartan and contemporary styled self colour kilts. I am deeply encouraged to dress as much as practical in the "traditional" manner. When so attired, the family and friends really warm up to being with me. The Amerikilt, Utilikilt, do not get that much excitement from the family. The contemporary kilts are the only ones that have ever gotten the "skirt" comment.

I don't have any first hand experience with contemporary kilts, but I have seen versions of this sentiment mentioned many times over the years on this and other kilt fora. I think even folks that have never seen a kilt in person before see the tartan and sporran, they make the connection that it's a "kilt"
But a Utilikilt just looks like a weird skirt to them.

[SteveB]

Part of the identification of the kilt is that the only exposure is seeing a pipe band in a parade, or a piper performing at a wedding or funeral. At these events the tartan kilt, sporran, hose, garter ties, and jacket make up the outfit that has readily become synonymous with the word kilt. In the city and traveling about on the public transit this becomes evident by the initial queries of passerby. The lasses usually are quite excited for the first up close contact with a gent in a kilt. "I see you are wearing a kilt. May I ask you some questions about it?" , "A kilt! I never get to see one up close, only on St Patrick's day in the parade. Do you wear it often? Is there a special event today?", etc. I enjoy conversing about the kilt with these people that are interested. I have worn the tartan kilt (Clan MacNeil) all of my life and only recently started wearing contemporary type kilts. They usually are only recognized as kilts by the Punk/Metal fans. Other people take them as a U.S. fad of M.U.G. or man-skirt. Just like the trouser, Utilikilts places its label on the right side on the back of the garment. Of the many hundreds of "skirt" questions that I have heard over the years, most of them whilst in tartan, have been because of a lack of knowledge of the kilt. The "skirt" comments/questions that I have encountered in the contemporary garments indicate that the tartan is recognized as a kilt but the solid colour is still a skirt to many.
All of this is my many years of observing the general population here in the U.S., Canada, and Germany. I am sure that it covers the relatives as well for the most part. The only vigorous opposition to my wearing of a modern kilt has been from older men that are heavily lubricated by alchohol.

Slainte

[Frank McGrath]

I have gotten to the age that I just don't care what other people think. I live my life not to hurt anyone. The golden rule. So, in my olds age, I care only that they are thinking of me. If people are thinking bad thoughts about me, at least they aren't thinking bad thoughts of others. But, if they are thinking good thoughts of me, good for me.

[Jack Daw]

My last response was incomplete; so, I'm posting a second response.

My father is passed so I don't know what he would think other than he got me interested in our Scottish background. My 2 older brothers are respectful of the kilt and ask a lot of questions, but have no interest in wearing one. Both nephews think the kilt is cool, but have not purchased any for economic and other reasons.

[jeremy j starche]

I was sharing this thread with a friend who reminded of me of little sister's (then 16) reaction to me wearing a kilt.

It was not, as I expected, 'OMG, My brother is wearing a kilt!' but rather, 'OMG! My brother is wearing a kilt and didn't shave his legs!'

Shortly after I bought my first pair of kilt-hose.

[Nick the DSM]

I was sharing this thread with a friend who reminded of me of little sister's (then 16) reaction to me wearing a kilt.

It was not, as I expected, 'OMG, My brother is wearing a kilt!' but rather, 'OMG! My brother is wearing a kilt and didn't shave his legs!'

Shortly after I bought my first pair of kilt-hose.

Don't. Shave. Your. Legs.

PLEASE!

Or. Hand. Over. Your. Man-Card.

[sathor]

Don't. Shave. Your. Legs.

PLEASE!

Or. Hand. Over. Your. Man-Card.

Unless you are an Olympic swimmer. Or maybe a pro wrestler. We can make a few exceptions. I can not think of any other legitimate reason.

[Nick the DSM]

Unless you are an Olympic swimmer. Or maybe a pro wrestler. We can make a few exceptions. I can not think of any other legitimate reason.

Exactly!