I guess I've been pretty lucky on this issue. Since I don't wear the kilt at work, the majority of my time with it in public is at night going to pubs or to see bands etc. I have never really had a negative situation in those settings. Actually, I've had a lot of positive stuff from both men and women asking about about the tartans, am I a scot? (no, mick) the 'question' etc. All just conversation starters really, otherwise folks in the nightclub setting are too busy trying to be cool to notice.

I think the only really annoying person I've had to contend with was a fellow that upon seeing me broke into a full-on Chief Engineer Scott impersonation for like two minutes to impress his friends; "The warp drive canna take nea more capin'" etc... After he wound down they all looked at me for a reaction, I said "How did you know I liked Star Trek so much?" and his friends all laughed at him!

Considering that for decades I used to dress and act in ways to not draw any attention to myself, disappear into the backgroud; I had a big 40th b-day party and I'm only in like 5 of the 30 or 40 pics my own wife took! The change in reactions to me because of my appearance is taking some getting used to. Not that I don't like it! Hell, after thinking about kilts for half my life, I wish I'd got started years ago!

I think a lot has to do with pesentation, I formed a personal opinion early on that 'utility' type kilts were not tradional looking enough for me, so my kilts are all Irish general or district tartans,(and a SWK Nightstalker) and I "know the tartan" as we say. Plus I always have on a decent Shirt, Sporran, Belt, Pin, Knife, Hose and flashes appropriate to the occasion, and co-ordinated with the tartan. I'll give some credit to Hamish here, his photos and advice are gold as far as kilted dressing goes!

Early on in my thinking about wearing kilts and learning about them here and around the web, I figured that considering the origins and often troubled history of this most masculine of garments that I would honor the kilt just as I honor my celtic roots, by treating it with respect, as 'serious' clothing, all or nothing, like a nice suit, not a t-shirt and shorts, and never as a 'costume'. I think that my attitude about myself and my appearance is more positive than it's been in years, Mrs.Zardoz agrees. And I have kilts, not just mine, but what kilts mean to me, to thank for that.

Good Luck!