Interesting question, Derek. I found I changed quite of lot over time.

When I was around 9 I had to wear a kilt for some special occasions at school (in Scotland). I recall I just hated it, as did most of my friends.

Ten years later, at university, I wore a kilt to a ball and just had a fabulous time. I did it to be different really, but it was just such a great thing to wear -- comfortable, and got a great reaction from the girls. I went on to wear kilts at several special university occasions.

Despite that success, I think most teenagers are desperately concerned how they appear to their peers. I hesitated to wear the kilt outside of special occasions. If sites like this had existed then (1970s/80s), it might had pushed me to wear a kilt more often. It would have given me some external validation that it was OK to wear them often.

Now, at 39, I don't really care what people think. All those teenage concerns about ones peers have largely gone.

I suspect financial cost, versus a limited student budget, would have prevented me from wearing kilts full time at school, even if I could have got over my hesistation. I am sure, however, that I would have worn them more.

KP.