Fighting objections from the wife

[BKPowell]

Hmmm.
It is quite interesting to hear what everyone has to say on this subject.
As for me, this is my story.

Now, you should know that I have always had an interest in anything Scottish; bagpipes, kilts, tartans, customs, etc. And my wife's family had roots that go back to the highlands, even her mom enjoyed the sound of the pipes. All my life, I was told that my family came from England. When I performed the family research, I found that my family line came from not just England, but Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Germany, with Native American Cherokee, thrown in.

So, about 6 years ago, my wife and I attended the Utah Scottish Festival and Highland Games for the first time (been going ever since). Loved it, couldn't get enough of it.

When I bought my first kilt (black Utilitkilt), my wife did air a number of objects to wearing a kilt. She felt that men should wear pants only, except to special Scottish functions. I countered by saying that it wasn't very long ago that women were taught that they should wear skirts and dresses only, but look around today and you will see a lot of women wearing jeans and pants. So, why can't men wear something other than pants and shorts and suits?

First, my wife said I could wear the kilt to festivals only. Of course, I wore the kilt to Scottish Festivals and Ren Fairs, but I also pushed back by wearing it around the house, then around the yard. Then out to dinner with her and my boys and my daughter. My kids loved seeing me in it and it did give me the self-confidence that I needed.

Eventually, my wife allowed me to buy more kilts - UK, SWK, Sportkilt, etc. - at last count, I have 10 hanging in the bedroom with the rest of my Scottish articles.

The thing is, my wife (and my kids) have gotten use to seeing me in a kilt.
My wife has even helped me pick out the tartans that she likes to see me in.
And the best part is, you don't need a special event to wear one, though, I keep track of those, too.

I have wore a kilt to the July 4th Cherry Days parade here in North Ogden, to Epcot in Flordia, to Las Vegas, to the mountains and deserts of Northern and Southern Utah. I have even wore one on the UTA Frontrunner to and from the office in Salt Lake City.
Oh sure, you get the looks, but I have gotten mostly positive feed-back, especially from the ladies.

With that said, my wife still has certain restrictions about where not to wear a kilt and I do compromise with her.

All in all, I would have say I enjoy wearing a kilt more than a pair of pants. And I have been blessed with a very understanding wife.

Thanks for listening.

Brad

[ForresterModern]

Love it Brad. Congratulations. Always great to hear a "success" story. We share some heritage with the Scots, Irish, English, German and Cherokee being the lines I have found in my "tribe" as well.

Wear with pride. Well done you.

[BKPowell]

Thanks for the kind words!
As I write this, I am wearing a Hamilton Grey kilt, the tartan that is closest to the Powell tartan.

BKPowell

[ForresterModern]

Thanks for the kind words!
As I write this, I am wearing a Hamilton Grey kilt, the tartan that is closest to the Powell tartan.

BKPowell

You are most deserving and welcome.

You in your Hamilton Grey and I in my Forrester Hunting. Most appropos.

[Santa Wally]

After retiring in 2006 and becoming "snowbirds" (people from northern states who go south for the Winter), in 2007, my wife and I happened to in Zephyrhills Florida on the weekend of the Celtic Festival (had never been to any). We went to see what it was all about. I bought a highland shirt that would work for a Workshop Santa look. Two years later, we returned specifically to buy another shirt but the vendor was not there. But I did find an off-the-rack Wallace kilt. I have Wallace ancestry, but wasn't told much about it as I grew up. (Last year I found out that a Wallace ancestor of mine came to America in the 1720's) After buying that Wallace kilt, I changed into it and my wife said, "when are you ever going to wear that again?" I NOW HAVE SEVEN KILTS.

So with 7 kilts I have answered her question many times, but I no longer wear that original kilt... I got rid of that acrylic kilt after finding X Marks the Scot and learning so much about the proper care and treatment for the OBSESSION caused by that first kilt.

I wore that first kilt a week later with the Clan Claus Society and joined it. Within about 4 months, my second kilt was a USAK Casual kilt and wife got used to seeing me in it and the obsession continued. That second kilt was a test for my measurements for my wool Clan Claus tartan kilt. (STA # 7869).

I drive our motorhome wearing any one of my three USAK PV Casual Kilts (Stewart Royal, Wallace or Isle of Skye). Stewart Royal is the tartan of Edinboro University in Pennsylvania where I got my Bachelors Degree. We go festivals and games in my Clan Claus kilt when the Clan Claus Society has a tent there, House of Edgar tank when the Clan Wallace Society has a tent there, or one of my two latest acquisitions: USAK 5 yard wool Batleys Maple Leaf or X Marks the Scot tartan Freedom Kilt.

I started wearing kilts in our Florida RV resort, our Tennessee campground and when with our adult daughters and grandkids. My wife no longer questions my kilt wearing, except I can't wear a kilt to our teenage granddaughter's dance competitions (Scottish or Irish dancing), she does not want me to take attention away from the dancers.

Posted while wearing my USAK Isle of Skye Casual Kilt.

[Thorina]

I ran into a guy at the electric company while paying my bill some 7-8 years ago wearing a workman's utilikilt.
I'd have paid him no attention in Carhartts.
He quite energetically told me all about them and how wonderful they were, etc.

The only objection I can possibly see for a woman not wanting her man to wear one is that women will be looking at her dude.
There's just nothing like seeing a kilt clad dude.

Perhaps it's your Miss' objection to it all.
She's used to having you all to herself.

[James Hood]

Why should any woman who wears pants (a man's garment until very recently) object to men wearing a man's garment...the kilt? Someday, gotta get up nerve to ask She Who Must Be Obeyed that question. And wear a helmet and flak jacket and athletic cup, at the time....

[Singlemalt]

I just read through this whole thread and am glad I did because it makes me feel lucky. I have worn a kilt my whole life, at times often and at othes very rarely, always in a very traditional Scottish way as it was a family tradition.

When I met my wife it was already part of who I am. Though her family traditions were German and UEL she liked it and when we were married 31 years ago I don't even remember discussion of me wearing anything else.

She has never objected to my kilts anytime I wanted to wear them other than giving me wise and sensitive womanly advice when she thought it might be better if I did not, out of consideration for others, at events when she felt it was more appropriate to not draw attention. I have always heeded her advice in this regard.

Now our two son's also have kilts and the eldest was married in his last spring to a lovely girl of Jewish/French background. She also seems fine with it when my son wears his kilt. Perhaps this is all somewhat easier in Canada where kilts are more common and everywhere you look there is someone in a national or religious dress of some kind.

[eaglemo]

What Steve of Lansing said...great advice!

[serenitylala]

From a woman's perspective:I don't understand why she'd object... I think men in kilts are manly and sexy, but that could be just me. Although, the exception is that the kilts got to be a tartan kilt with sporran and leather belts for me to like them in it. The plain color kilts just look like skirts. But then again I'm a traditionalist and single.

So maybe being a wife would change my opinion... Nope. Kilts on men are manly.