Most 'kilt-friendly' occasions?

[Highwayman]

I'm new to the kilt world, and so far have only worn mine at Renn Faires, to a couple off-beat Masonic events, and a party held by a bagpipe band. No public outings unless I'm traveling to one of these events, I'm still very hesitant on how and when to wear it. Eventually I'll be getting my first real tartan kilt rather than my black utility model, and am looking for justified occasions to mix things up and wear it. This includes semi-formal occasions where I'd be in a jacket and tie, along with casual events where I'm in a tee shirt or a button-down with rolled sleeves.

What are some acceptable, low-pressure occasions to wear a kilt where no one will ask too many questions or challenge my wearing it?

[Father Bill]

Well, here's a wee collection of possibilities (some of them Canadian, and some of them firmly tongue in cheek, and undoubtedly I'll be corrected on some of them):

Kilt Wearers Calendar

(If ya really need anither reason tae wear yur kilt!)

Jan 1 New Years Day. (You should be singing “Auld Lang Syne” by Robert Burns as the New Year begins.)
Jan 11 Sir John A. Macdonald, First Prime Minister of Canada born in Glasgow (1815)
Jan 25 Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard, born Alloway. (1759) Traditional night of Burns Supper.
Feb 2 Celtic Holiday, Imbolc (Candlemas)
March 1 Saint David's Day (patron saint of Wales)
March 3 Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh. (1847) --James Doohan, actor, “Scotty” born. (1920)
March 17 Treaty of Edinburgh between King Robert I and Edward III which recognised Scotland’s independence, ending the 30 years of Wars of Independence. (1328)
March 27 King Robert I ("The Bruce") crowned at Scone. (1306)
April 6 Anniversary of the Writing of the Declaration of Arbroath "For we fight not for glory nor for riches nor for honour, but only and alone for freedom, which no good man surrenders but with his life". (1320)
April 16 Culloden. (1746)
March 21 Celtic Holiday, Ostara (Spring/Vernal Equinox)
April 30 Celtic Holiday, Beltane (May Eve)
May 24 Victoria Day
June 21 Celtic Holiday, Midsummer (Summer Solstice, Litha)
June 24 Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II at Battle of Bannockburn. (1314)
July 1 Canada Day & Anniversary of Repeal of the Proscription Act thus allowing again the wearing of kilts & tartan, the teaching of Gaelic, and the carrying of weapons; including bagpipes. (1782)
Aug 1 Proscription Act introduced, banning kilts, tartan, bagpipes (banned as a weapon of war), the teaching of Gaelic, and the carrying of weapons. (1747) Celtic Holiday, Lughnasadh (Lammas) Macbeth killed in battle by Malcolm at Lumphanan, near Aberdeen. (1057)
Aug 15 Sir Walter Scott, Writer and poet, born Edinburgh. (1771)
Sept 9 Battle of Flodden. (1513)
Sept 11 Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) Referendum on Devolution approved the creation of a new Scottish Parliament by a substantial majority. (1997)
Sept 21 Celtic Holiday, Mabon (Autumn/Fall Equinox)
Oct 2 Celtic Holiday, Samhain (All Hallows Eve)
Nov 11 Remembrance Day
Nov 30 St Andrew’s Day , Stone of Destiny, stolen from Scone by King Edward I of England in 1296, returned to Scotland and installed in Edinburgh Castle. (1996 )
Dec 21 Celtic Holiday, Yule (Winter Solstice)
Dec 31 Hogmanay

[bwat]

What are some acceptable, low-pressure occasions to wear a kilt where no one will ask too many questions or challenge my wearing it?

1) The acceptability and pressure, or lack of it, is in your head. I've worn kilts to my wedding, parties, and when out for walks around town. I've never had a problem - quite the opposite in fact!
2) You will get questions so be prepared to smile and get into some small talk. You won't get a grilling just a few questions as to what the tartan is and why you're wearing it. People get over the fact you're wearing a kilt quite quickly.
3) I would be surprised if you were challenged in a tartan kilt. Anybody that offers too much "advice" can be told where to stick it Again, I've never had a problem.

[S.S.Muldoon]

Just a happy FYI...

Wear it on St. Patrick's day... At worst, you'll have to explain that you're showing respect to the Scot's Celtic cousins, the Irish, but more likely you'll be mistaken for a piper out after the parade and someone will stand you a beer.

[S Mitchell]

I agree with bwat.

I've never been challenged for wearing my kilts, but I do get lots of friendly remarks and questions. It's always the tartan kilt which sparks conversation, though. My utility kilt doesn't get much reaction.

I'll wear my kilt (usually the tartan) for any sort of social occasion, dinner with my wife and/or friends, socializing at the pub, concerts and shows, parties, holidays, etc..

I won't wear it if I don't feel like chatting with strangers or if my wife isn't feeling up for it (the kilt is so easy to dress up a notch and it gets so much attention, my wife sometimes feels pressure to dress accordingly and up her game.)

You'll quickly discover most people don't care and the ones who do care tend to be genuinely curious and to have nice things to say.

[The farqcom]

I wear casual/tartan kilts around town doing routine things such as: weekly coffee group, buying critter food at supply store, visits to hardware store, grocery shopping, etc. If it's one on one with the banker, bump it up to business casual. Most folks don't react at all or ask about tartan history. Very positive.

[Jim Simmons]

I am planning to wear my U.S. Army tartan kilt, in casual attire next week to my next appointment at my local country doctor's office. Most of his clients are rural, I live in a rural area in the hills above Guatemala City. Some of them will most likely be indigenous people, and wearing their indigenous attire. I am looking forward to seeing their reactions to Scottish attire. Whatever they be, bothers me not. I am much too much of an old fart to care.

[Madadh]

Wear one at work every Friday. Also at every St. Pat's Day parade when I march with my lads.

[Mikilt]

Highwayman,
Greetings from the West 'burbs of Chicago. I wear my tartan kilts for both occasions and just out and about. I have never been challenged or questioned beyond being asked if I am a piper.

Just wear it well. Your confidence will grow. You will still get questions, but they'll be from the genuinely curious and interested. Just look your best.

[The Wizard of BC]

As you have seen from the previous posts you may be overthinking this whole thing.

Yes, there are some who can identify their Clan Tartan and if they see someone else wearing it may approach them as a friendly kinsman.

But I have been wearing the kilt for over 12 years now. Everyday. And I have never once been 'challenged' over my 'right' to wear the kilt or a particular Tartan.
I have been asked what Tartan I am wearing but it has always been in the sense of an ice breaker. A conversation opener.

I have been asked if I am wearing the kilt 'properly' but this is just a form of 'The Question' and usually a conversation opener too.

We on X Marks get about three or four new member everyday. We often hear this same sort of question. Almost like Tartan is some form of Gang Colors. Guys who are afraid of offending or crossing the imaginary turf line and getting in trouble for wearing the kilt or a particular Tartan.

The reality is just the opposite. People like that you wear the kilt. They like it if you are showing some pride in how you dress. But "Challenged"? Nope, it has never happened to me and I have never, ever, heard of a case where someone got into trouble for wearing a particular Tartan. I guess it has happened at some time, somewhere in the past 2 hundred years but please don't worry about it.

Wear your kilt well and walk with pride. You will go far.