It's those closest to you who can be the biggest stumbling block.

[TheBlueCow]

BlueCow I think you need to understand that even I,who has been wearing the kilt for more than 60 years, still find it hard to accept these modern non tartan things as kilts! So how do you think those that know little or nothing about kilts to feel? I have just discussed this point with my wife,who is as Scots as they come, and she just dismissed these modern type, er, well, kilts as skirts. I think that you may be unrealistic,disappointed too no doubt, to expect your non kilt wearing family to embrace the kilt from the off, particularly if you are going down the modern route .Keep trying though. One more thing, the traditional kilt is not a costume. It is Highland Scots attire!

It's just that here in America, people recognize tartan kilts as costumes; something worn in movies and on bagpipers, not something that anyone wears just to wear. I personally know it not to be a costume, but the general public in America is unfamiliar with them as daily wear and considers them a costume.
Anyone wearing a kilt, modern or traditional, in America is doing something VERY different than the norm. Kilt wearers are pioneers and rebels in America, and we meet people that accept it, people that pretend not to have noticed it, and people that are against it because they consider it a skirt, tartan or not.

I never expected my family to be immediately accepting of the kilt. My point is that they would be no more accepting of a tartan kilt than a modern non-tartan kilt, because to them a kilt is a skirt. I'm actually surprised at the amount of people that do accept, and even like, kilts. It's just disappointing when people close to you, who accept every other aspect of you, are against you and not supportive. Not that I didn't expect it, but it's disappointing regardless.

[English Bloke]

I've had positive and negative reaction to wearing the Kilt and I don't wear a Modern Kilt either. Some people just don't like the Kilt or see them as too outside their comfortable norms, tartan or otherwise. You're safe in trousers... They have a non comprehending "why would you want to wear a Kilt when you're not Scottish" attitude; something those of us who don't sound Scottish will probably be familiar with.

I think it's their problem myself. They fear to be different. That said, I agree with Jock and Tam that tartan is probably easier to accept for the disapproving observer than Util-kilts. If you are not happy with seeing men in anything but trousers then they must blow your mind!! I would suggest that people new to wearing Kilts who want an easier ride could try sticking to a more traditional style in the beginning, at least until people are used to seeing them Kilted.

I would however be tempted to say 'stick it' to those who continually disapprove.

Incidentally Staticsan. There's a company called 'Highland Inspirations' on Australian ebay
( http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KILT-GREY-STE...742.m153.l1262 )
who are doing four different, traditional type, 6 to 8 yard kilts for AU$103 incl. P&P (£40 - ish/ US$65 - ish) that's not too bad a price either. I know you need to get all the other bits to top it off which all adds to the final bill but you don't need to get those immediately. Perhaps that might be the way to go for the time being and would help to get 'em on side. Christmas is coming by the way ... Maybe you could get them to buy you a sporran.

[Woot22]

I do wonder if new kilt wearers wore a traditional tartan kilt,or even a modern tartan kilt,it would receive the same reaction? I suggest that a non tartan modern kilt is, sometimes, a step too far for some people to get their head around in the early stages of kilt acceptance.

I agree with ya here Jock. If I were to wear a non traditional kilt in front of my family it would not be accepted. But wearing a traditional tartan kilt with sporran and everything is fine because that is just showing respect for my families ancestry. Lucky for me I really only like the traditional style anyway, so it is a non issue for me. Also I really only wear the kilt a few times a year for special occasions. It is not my thing to be a daily kilt wearer but I respect the right of those of you whom choose to do so. My advice is to listen to Jock Scot and go traditional, at least in the beginning.

[Galb]

I do wonder if new kilt wearers wore a traditional tartan kilt,or even a modern tartan kilt,it would receive the same reaction? I suggest that a non tartan modern kilt is, sometimes, a step too far for some people to get their head around in the early stages of kilt acceptance.

This is exactly what I was going to say. When people think kilt, they think tartan. They expect to see an array of colors in a nice design. Even with me, I would never wear a solid color kilt. It does not appeal to me in the slightest. To me, a Scottish kilt is tartan material pleated. I think most people share that same outlook. That being said, there are those that have trouble accepting even the most traditional of Scottish kilts. They just don't see it as an acceptable garment unless attending a specific event where one would be worn.

[Cherub]

This is exactly what I was going to say. When people think kilt, they think tartan. They expect to see an array of colors in a nice design. Even with me, I would never wear a solid color kilt. It does not appeal to me in the slightest. To me, a Scottish kilt is tartan material pleated. I think most people share that same outlook. That being said, there are those that have trouble accepting even the most traditional of Scottish kilts. They just don't see it as an acceptable garment unless attending a specific event where one would be worn.

Well I can't speak to the Tartan non-tartan question as the only kilt i currently own is a Black Utilikilt. I have had some people comment on it but not many and my Wife loves me in it, (Reason enuf to wear it right there )

I don't wear it all the time but i am wearing it more often, my parents don't get it but they accept it...however i have only worn it once out with them an since that was to the Toronto Island i did not get much flack, i'll have to try it to a Bigger family function and see what reactions i get.:

[O'Callaghan]

This is exactly what I was going to say. When people think kilt, they think tartan. They expect to see an array of colors in a nice design. Even with me, I would never wear a solid color kilt. It does not appeal to me in the slightest. To me, a Scottish kilt is tartan material pleated. I think most people share that same outlook. That being said, there are those that have trouble accepting even the most traditional of Scottish kilts. They just don't see it as an acceptable garment unless attending a specific event where one would be worn.

People probably do think that, but my celtic ancestry is Irish, not Scottish, and to the extent that kilts were ever relatively popular there, which was only around 100 years ago and so not really that far back, they were solid colours, normally either green or saffron.

Now, the above is not all that well known to most people, and you have to scratch around a bit to find cheap kilts in those colours, although they do exist. The kilts I own don't include one (yet), but I am planning to get a green one eventually. Instead I have a black kilt and a couple in 'Irish tartans', which are even less steeped in antiquity, having been designed long after Irish kilts were already on the wane, and not even designed in Ireland. However, I think the kiltmakers sell these precisely because people do think that a tartan kilt looks more like a kilt.

[ozth3dog]

I am in the same boat as you are. No one in my family accept's or even approves of me wearing a kilt. The only one who dosen't care about me wearing the kilt is my dad, and that's b/c he has always supported my brother and I in whatever we did. Everyone else is a different story, including my wife unfortunatley. But I still wear it whenever I can and just ignore my family about comments on the kilt and go on with my day.

[jrmiller]

Wade,
Your words ring true, I started wearing kilts last winter for the first time ever. Wife didn't like it. I have persisted and over time she is approaching and perhaps have reached acceptance. She admitted to me that I looked good in it. This is after wearing the kilt out with her on several different occasions and once around her family.

She is always worried that someone will disapprove and was very worried that her family would disapprove. However, in 95% of my encounters, it hasn't bothered anyone and does pull in several compliments. The other 5% have just been funny looks and sneers.

I think the reason my wife was worried is she thought something bigger was going on with me and didn't want to loose me to a new life. She has even questioned my sexuality, but after several months, it's clear to her I have not changed in that respect.

It's probably the same with any family member, if you have not shown an interest in kilts in the past, then something fundamental must have changed. There has to be a "reason".

Well, there is a "reason", we simply like them. Why do women like jeans?

My advice is to keep wearing your kilts and show that you are still "as normal as you were before". You may back-off a little bit around the family, but don't give it up. You want them to understand that your interest hasn't changed and kilts are here to stay. Once they determine that the only thing different about you is an interest in kilts, things will settle down, acceptance will form.

[McELT]

I think the reason my wife was worried is she thought something bigger was going on with me and didn't want to loose me to a new life.

This is an interesting point John made.

In my situation, my wife has known that I wanted a kilt since we first met (we were stationed in Italy and I was heavily into Irish and Celtic History). Shw also has known my desire to learn the bagpipes our entire marriage, so none of my adventures in these areas caused her to raise an eyebrow. She even enjoys it enough that she bought her own utilikilt (my wife did not wear dresses until I bought her some and doesn't wear skirts).

However, my family was a bit surprised when I actually bought my first kilt (County Cavan tartan), but they finally figured out that my attitude is that other's opinions be damned, I'm going to do what I want. Hell, my dad even bought a utilikilt at the recent Irish Fest in Pittsburgh.

Matt

[Frank McGrath]

You can pick your friends, but are stuck with family. Just do it. Thdy can't kill you.