Mad as hell!

[DireStraitsFan]

Okay, I need all of your advise. And please, before you post something hasty, put yourself in my shoes and answer honestly.

I've briefly mentioned this in another thread, but didn't elaborate on it. The problem has since re-surfaced and I would like to hear what you all would do in my place.

A few months ago I wore my Green Standard Utilikilt out to have a beer with an old high school buddy (all of my best friends are still my high school friends) in the middle of the week (Let's call him Jim). He sarcastically asked if I was wearing a skirt, and I laughed along with him. Nothing more was said the entire night about it. I expect a little ribbing from the guy friends. It's in good fun.

Well, a few weeks later we all got together (high school friends and significant others) over dinner. Jim was there with his wife (also a high school friend, call her Sonya), and she brought up the fact that I had worn a "skirt" out for beers. Sonya has been one of my BEST friends since my senior year of high school (I am in my 30's now). In fact she was the friend of a girl I dated and when things went badly she chose my friendship over her girlfriend (had to do with some very nasty things she did to me). I have always felt very loyal to her, and she has since always looked out for me. Consequently we have been very good friends.

Back to the dinner. She WOULD NOT LET IT GO. She kept going on and on about how she couldn't believe that I would wear something like that. She literally seemed upset about it.

Well, I wore my Royal Stewart SWK Standard and accoutrements out for beers again a few weeks ago. Jim was there and apparently told her about it. So, I find out through another one of our friends (call her Jess) that Sonya had gone on and on about my last kilt outing over wine with other friends from our group. Jess said that Sonya would not shut up about it. She kept saying "I just don't understand it". She said that she told Sonya it was nothing for her to worry about and that he (me) likes to wear it, it means something to him (me), and it should not be something that she (Sonya) should have to worry about. But she still went on and on about it. Jess (who is the mother of my son by the way) commented that our son has a kilt and he likes to wear it too, and one of the other girls asked "Don't you want your son to have any friends?"

I am floored by all of this. I am attending Sonya's birthday party in a few weeks, and I don't really know how I will react to her. Sonya, her mother, and her sister have always treated me like family. But I find myself questioning our friendship after these incidents. I don't want to blow up at her, and I don't want to give up the friendship over a garment. But I also do not like being made to feel like a freak for wearing something that is quite normal to me. I don't like attention. I have only worn the kilt out of special events (celtic fest, renfest, or highland games) 3 times because of this. I don't like the attention that it draws. That is not why I wear it. I wish that it was more accepted so people would see a garment like jeans, instead of something that is strange and abnormal. But I refuse to not wear it just because society is so ignorant. I will not have my lifestyle dictated to me by a bunch of sheep.

So, the question is: how would you handle this situation? Please think out your answer. If you are just going to say "To hell with her, you don't need her", then please do not post at all. She is part of a large network of the oldest friends I have, and I cannot simply say "To hell with you". I am eager to hear any and all well thought, sensible responses.

Thank you. And sorry for the long post, but I was really, really off when I found out about all of this.

Peace.