Family objections to wearing your kilt

**MacKay71 Wife** · 28th July 09, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Galician

I was at the annual Celtic Gathering held in Manhattan's Central Park, and quite a few people were asking to take a photo of or with me. One guy who did told me that his wife refuses to let him wear it. I gave him this site as a place of support and info. Maybe we'll see him some day.

Awesome! My husband gets stopped by random people on the street with requests for pictures! I love it!

Maybe some of you without a great amount of support should start your own photo album (on your phone?) of people you get your pictures taken with. Might possibly help some people be more accepting when they see the amount of other people who like your kilt?

**Stratherrick** · 28th July 09, 11:33 AM

Galician

Good on you for offering support!

Nighthawk

Go godmother!

Folks

I'm glad I started this thread as it seems a lot of us are finding it a blessing to offload some of the kilted baggage added to our load.

Any more for any more?!

Slainte

Bruce

**GreenDragon** · 28th July 09, 11:45 AM

My wife bought me my 2nd kilt (an SWK Economy Black Watch) for my birthday 2 years ago.

Yet, she still doesn't want me to wear one around her or the kids. Her, because we'd be out in public and I'm sure she'd just be embarrassed. The kids, because they're 4 and 2. Though I've shown my kilts to both of them. My son, 4, LOVES dad's kilts. My daughter likes the colors (my other is an SWK Economy Irish National).

BUT! We're going to the Ohio Renaissance Festival this year (since the kids are a little older this year) the day I've chosen: Highlands Weekend. Definitely rocking the kilt IN PUBLIC!

http://www.renfestival.com/asp/theme.aspx

**ForresterModern** · 28th July 09, 12:00 PM

My wife thought that my getting involved with kilts was a short lived thing related to me going to the homeland (Scotland) last year for vacation combined with a work related meeting, where I was presenting to the crowd of attendees. I was kilted 9 out of 10 days in Scotland. Since then she wonders why I continue to want to wear the kilt or buy more kilt related items, although I keep explaining to her that it is a relatively new found feeling of family and heritage (I am also doing a fair amount of geneological investigation into my family tree too).

My wife states that, although I look good in a kilt and wear it well, she is sexually turned off by a "man in a skirt" and complains that I have "more skirts in our closet" than she does. She knows how this rankles me but continues anyway. She refuses to attend formal or semiformal events if I talk about going to them kilted, unless they are specifically scottish or celtic related events. She tolerates going to scottish and celtic events like highland games and the occasional kilt night, even helping dress our 18 month old son (my avatar) in an infant kilt for the occasions. Every kilt I have brought home (save one inexpensive casual PV kilt) she has gushed over the beauty of the tartan and the quality of the workmanship and fit, but still does not want to be seen with me wearing them, but then again does not want me going out wearing them without her (because of the attention they attract---the power of the kilt).

It is indeed quite strange sometimes how she can love the look of the tartans, allow our son to wear it occasionally, let me wear it to "appropriate" activities, but think it silly or ridiculous, even embarrassing or threatening, for me to wear it on a daily (even intermittent) basis, and financially silly to continue to slowly enlarge my kilt collection and accessories (despite the fact that I make a comfortable living that supports all three of us without difficulty).

It does cause occasional arguments, ultimatums, etc... which we still have to work out one way or the other, usually with me caving rather than alienate my spouse. Although I will tell you as I have told her, the disagreements are starting to alienate me a bit as well.

**sathor** · 28th July 09, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Fit2BKilted

That's a sad story. I presume your father has passed on. I hope your son will persevere by your example, and keep the spirit alive. My son passed away the day he was born; and, two daughters later, I'm resigned that my line will end with me.

Well, understanding a 5 year old (He turns five in Sep) is a challenge.

He refused to wear a kilt to the Celtic fest last weekend. Finally, on Sunday night, we got the reason out of him. He dreamed he had 3 kilts (instead of 2) and he couldn't find the third and its the one he wanted to wear.

**Macleod91** · 28th July 09, 12:05 PM

My father and Mother love that i wear a kilt and fully encourage it, my grandparents on the other hand....not so much... even though my grandma is a Campbell she still objects to me wearing it, saying things like "i thought i had a grandson not a granddaughter" i just let is slide though. But i took her to the highland games this year in Enumclaw and she enjoyed her self alot, she especially likes the Dancers. Slowly she is starting to take a interest and break that 1950's "everyone conform" attitude

**KFCarter** · 28th July 09, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by ForresterModern

It does cause occasional arguments, ultimatums, etc... which we still have to work out one way or the other, usually with me caving rather than alienate my spouse. Although I will tell you as I have told her, the disagreements are starting to alienate me a bit as well.

That's a tough situation, ForresterModern, and I don't envy you. IMHO, family ultimately trumps all, but patience and perseverance are good watchwords and often yield results even in the stickiest of situations. Best of luck to you.

btw, the tyke's photo in your avatar is too precious for words.

:ootd:

**sathor** · 28th July 09, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Galician

I was at the annual Celtic Gathering held in Manhattan's Central Park, and quite a few people were asking to take a photo of or with me. One guy who did told me that his wife refuses to let him wear it. I gave him this site as a place of support and info. Maybe we'll see him some day.

My wife tried that at first, we got in an argument, I told her that if she was going to dictate what I wear, I was going to do the same of her.

She got used to my kilts, and after buying her a laptop this week, she can't stop my next kilt purchase if she wanted to.

**sathor** · 28th July 09, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by GreenDragon

(my other is an SWK Economy Irish National).
...
BUT! We're going to the Ohio Renaissance Festival this year (since the kids are a little older this year) the day I've chosen: Highlands Weekend. Definitely rocking the kilt IN PUBLIC!

http://www.renfestival.com/asp/theme.aspx

Perhaps I might finally meet you there, you didn't come to Mason back in May

My son has that same kilt, though much smaller (I woulds think)

**Ian.MacAllan** · 28th July 09, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

. . . Wish I had chosen better the first time around! . . .

Several posters appear to have used better judgement the second time. More power to them!

The advent of kilts in my life gave me more evidence that I had married better than I had dreamed. My wife not only approves of my kilts but helped measure me and took responsibility for their fit, which is generally excellent. And the first time I wore a kilt to visit my son I discovered that he had been wearing a great kilt to SCA affairs for more than a year and he and his wife have won awards for most authentic costumes.

My cup runneth over.

.