It's those closest to you who can be the biggest stumbling block.

[KiltedSurveyor]

That's been my experiance as well. Solid colors seem to be identified as 'skirt'.

As if this moment, I don't have a tartan kilt. Mine are solid colored. Most people still identify them as a kilt, whether I wear them with a sporran or not. I really believe it's the attitude you wear them with that makes them a "kilt" in other people's minds.

[staticsan]

After some consideration of your description of the response you were given, I would agree that a traditional tartan kilt may have made the introduction ‘smoother’ for you and your bothers family. You may have just taken them out of their comfort zone.

I hadn't looked at it quite that way. In my sister-in-law's case, that is likely very true. She is known to have some funny ideas... This is probably what's rubbed off on her children.

Somewhat ironically, my mother is a MacGregor and this is part of what it holding me back. She is quietly proud of her heritage, and I don't want to disrupt that unduly. Unfortunately, if a kilt-maker has a limited range, MacGregor usually doesn't make the cut. Fortunately, I do have my eye on someone who has the requisite larger tartan selection and makes not-too-expensive kilts, but this will be some months away, at least, due to money pressures.

Wade.

[socalferg]

I think everyone can relate to the financial end related to supporting a kilt habit. You do what you can as you can. And you always have the time and rightly should take the time to shop around before deciding to purchase something you really want. It is an investment.
My opinion is that it would honor your mother to sport a MacGregor tartan. But you understand the situation better than I. I believe that whatever school of thought regarding wearing a particular tartan or not, I believe it’s OK to wear your maternal family’s tartan.

[Derek Conley]

It's amazing (and unfortunate) how here in the States, for as large and diverse of a country we happen to be, so many people are often incredibly close-minded and unwilling to look positively upon something out of their version of "normal". Apparently this viewpoint exists in other countries as well (as staticsan's original post shows) and I'm always surprised to see or hear about it happening.

I've never been one for conformity (which is funny considering my career choices) and have always applauded those who choose to be "themselves", barring conventional views.

It's doubly upsetting when it's family; however, being that they are family, I'd think they'd come to accept it in time.

[Woot22]

I do wonder if new kilt wearers wore a traditional tartan kilt,or even a modern tartan kilt,it would receive the same reaction? I suggest that a non tartan modern kilt is, sometimes, a step too far for some people to get their head around in the early stages of kilt acceptance.

I agree with ya here Jock. If I were to wear a non traditional kilt in front of my family it would not be accepted. But wearing a traditional tartan kilt with sporran and everything is fine because that is just showing respect for my families ancestry. Lucky for me I really only like the traditional style anyway, so it is a non issue for me. Also I really only wear the kilt a few times a year for special occasions. It is not my thing to be a daily kilt wearer but I respect the right of those of you whom choose to do so. My advice is to listen to Jock Scot and go traditional, at least in the beginning.

[Chase]

I have so many responses, agreements, and rebuttles, I don't know where to begin...I agree with JS about traditional verses modern as the traditional tartan is easier for the lay public to accept, as it's been around much longer, although most of the people I know equate the wearing of a kilt to some scottish occasion or holiday.

I too have a difficult time accepting modern tartans and utility kilts placed in the same category and although it's a personal preference, I would not purchase or wear one simply because of the way they look, not because what others might think.

My question for Mr. Miller is, "where did you derive this 95% to 5% statistic from? Perhaps I live in a more southern region where cowboy hats and boots are the dominant traditional wear, but I find it closer to 50/50.

[Mipi]

I don't have much experiance in kilt wearing, while I started this idea to materialize in June/July this year. I have only 2 kilts, both DIY; one X-Kilt in camo and one in tartan. Must say that my family is not accepting kilt very easy. But it seams that wife at least like tartan one much more (it really looks good ).http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...x.html?t=42037 my father-in-law and mother-in-law had seen me in both with no problem at all. Even got very nice comment from my mother-in-law who used to be seamstress on how I made my kilts.

But in some parts of Earth, I don't see any difference in tartan or modern kilts regarding beeing accepted more widely.

So, what can I say. It's about your family and your life. At the end, there is always a compromise and the time do help in solving such problems.

[McELT]

I think the reason my wife was worried is she thought something bigger was going on with me and didn't want to loose me to a new life.

This is an interesting point John made.

In my situation, my wife has known that I wanted a kilt since we first met (we were stationed in Italy and I was heavily into Irish and Celtic History). Shw also has known my desire to learn the bagpipes our entire marriage, so none of my adventures in these areas caused her to raise an eyebrow. She even enjoys it enough that she bought her own utilikilt (my wife did not wear dresses until I bought her some and doesn't wear skirts).

However, my family was a bit surprised when I actually bought my first kilt (County Cavan tartan), but they finally figured out that my attitude is that other's opinions be damned, I'm going to do what I want. Hell, my dad even bought a utilikilt at the recent Irish Fest in Pittsburgh.

Matt

[cessna152towser]

As others have already suggested, family members have to be introduced to the idea gradually. I had a head start living in Scotland where my wife encouraged me to get a kilt as costume for our Scottish Country Dancing. That was in 1993. When I injured my leg ten years later I first wore the kilt to work as donning trousers was impractical. It was so well received by co-workers and customers and was so comfortable that I continued to wear it regularly after my leg healed and I began to collect more kilts. She was a bit uneasy when my first non-traditional kilt arrived, a cargo model from Freedom Kilts with studs on the front and made of brownish grey carhardt heavyweight cloth, as this had big pockets and was not worn with the traditional sporran, but she soon accepted it once she saw that others were OK with it.

[McClef]

I have had no problems with either family or friends accepting my kilt wearing, guess I am luckier than some.