Quote Originally Posted by longhuntr74 View Post
I think this is the best advice on here. I am unsure as to the true intent/meaning of the OP's question, but making some assumptions, I'd share the following opinion and insight.

If his school has a dress code or uniform, I think he should follow it. I can think of no good reason to fight against it. The "ethnic" attire argument is about as thin as they come unless the request is tied to some particular holiday that would give it greater meaning. In such a case, I would absolutely support getting permission to wear the kilt on certain days of the year, such as National Tartan Day, etc. as a way of honoring the OPs Scottish heritage - assuming he has some - and perhaps educating some fellow students about something new and different that they haven't been exposed to. But if the request was made simply as a personal desire (freedom of expression) over an establish dress code, as an administrator, I'd say NO (even as a kiltwearer myself). The question in my mind would be: What makes the OP think that he is so special that he deserves special treatment?

I say this from a perspective of someone who is typically in the rule enforcement business and is currently in the EXACT SAME POSITION as the OP (again, going on the assumption that there is some sort of policy in place that prohibits him wearing the kilt). I am a student and my institution has a dress code that specifies business casual, which for males is further defined as no shorts, no jeans...only khaki-type or some other form of dress pants are authorized. We are also prohibited from wearing sneakers, sandals, moccasins, etc...though I have skirted the line a time or two in wearing Skechers casual shoes. On National Tartan Day, a kilt-wearing classmate and myself were going to wear our kilts (applying the beg forgiveness rule)...but some events happened about a week prior that we felt made the atmosphere someone hostile regarding compliance with the dress code...so we simply opted to not push the limits and draw undue attention to ourselves or our program. As a military officer, there are two lessons that I think are very important for people to learn...it's part of maturity...Know your environment (ie. how much can you get away with) and choose your battles (how important is it to you...and what are you willing to risk).

That is all!
Excellent, mature, and thoughtful advice. Too many people quote their "right" without thinking what would BE right in the particular circumstances.

The question of "freedom" is often very one-sided. We need to ask whether we prefer to be "free to..." more than we want to be "free from...."

Cheers!