Can You Wear the Kilt Without Freaking Out Family or Friends?

[@athollmoray]

My wife and son freaked out a bit when I decided to wear Kilts as every day attire. My son’s girlfriend really liked it and supported me and that really helped with my son. My wife refused to be seen in public with me. Over time as my wife’s lady friends came to the house and saw me in a kilt… most of them really liked it and when my wife said something about not liking it her friends would counter with more comments about it looking good and there is nothing wrong with me wearing it. I am happy to say that my wife and son now are fine with me and my kilts.

[@maxwellfan55]

For some people adjustment takes time (though God knows why for just an item of clothing). Well done for sticking with it.

[@KiltedVeteran]

My family never even batted an eye. They were just like "Tony is being different again." They are completely cool with it.

[@Blue-rl5dp]

There are levels to 'different'. Kilts are cool and way better than a bee suit or a morning frock at the dinner table.

[@maxwellfan55]

The Kilted Vet. You have a very cool family. Lucky you!

[@timothycampbell495]

1) Make sure your outfit is properly put together and each piece is correctly fitted and correctly worn. 2) If the above is met, then you must absolutely OWN IT, and wear it as if every other man around you is improperly dressed.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Working on your system my daily routine is as follows. Socks, boots, socks do not protrude much over the top of the boot. Sleeveless T-shirt/sleeveless shirt halfbuttoned. Kilt. Belt. Hankie inside the rise, knives on belt. I'm dressed haha! I totally agree with your closing statement though, look at every eyeballer with the same "WTF ARE you wearing?" Look that they are shooting at you and let them break eye contact, then smile, smiling is important :-)

[@maxwellfan55]

Timothy. You hit the nail on the head. Making sure the outfit is properly put together and correct.

[@lorduggae]

My mom was wary of me wearing the kilt at first. After 10+ years what she likes best is to have me walk in front of her so she can watch people pass by and turn and look. It makes her laugh.

[@jefflaw6013]

My wife was a bit skeptical, but got over it when she saw all the positive comments out in public, especially from the ladies. Now it is not a thing.

[@havocmwf]

As I am Scottish and live in Scotland, this is not a conversation we would ever have! If people want to be "funny" about it, there is a reason we have a sgian-dubh tucked into our sock.

[@kashishimotohoward]

Totally committed! My friends and family know my personality, so none were surprised, and I surprisingly get nothing but compliments, everywhere I go 😁

[@OcculiMortis]

I say, who cares what anybody else thinks. I wear pink, especially during this month breast cancer awareness. I have a pink breast cancer tattoo. I have a shirt that says, tough guys wear pink. A guy said to me in a parking lot, do tough guys really wear pink, and I said do you want to find out, he said nope. Little did he know, I served 8 years in the Marines.

[@reubenk1615]

"Its not pink! Its salmon!" Kidding, not my color. More power to you

[@OcculiMortis]

@@reubenk1615 👍

[@reubenk1615]

@@StevenE1972 haven't thought about the possible shades. When the word "pink" is uttered the shade that comes to mind is that of the bright color used as woman's glossy nail polish and because of that in my mind made to be feminine. Regardless I dont like to dress with bright neon color clothes, I prefer muted dark shades.

[@reubenk1615]

@@StevenE1972 what? Not Man enough? Its extremely edgy if a masculine guy can pull it off. I'd imagine he's the kind of guy who gets girls wet with one look alone. People would assume you to be either gay or extremely confident. I'd feel comfortable with a dark purple with a touch of gray pink. Haven't given so much thought to this color. Interesting chat.

[@OcculiMortis]

@@StevenE1972 it was a light shade of pink.

[@onemercilessming1342]

Wear what you want. My Lithuanian national dress costs thousands and I wear it whenever I can. Be proud of your heritage and the courage it took for your ancestors to prevail against the nations that would have eradicated you.

[@itsapittie]

It's been a long time since I got a negative comment...unless I care so little I just don't notice. I do sometimes have someone ask if there's an event in town but when I say, "No, this is just how I dress." they always say something like, "That's cool." I very often have people tell me they like it and occasionally even have a brief conversation about Scottish culture.

[@timmycook6708]

I had the same thing happen to me, I was at the store and some guy was like "did you just come from a festival" and I told him "No, I would love to go to one though" and he said no more. I only ever had one guy say "Hey man, I like your kilt!" But that was a long time ago and now all I get are stares.

[@mattironwood6360]

My husband LOVES when I wear my kilts when we are out. He always says I look so handsome and manly wearing them. It really is all about the confidence when you wear it.

[@rjbisbee8567]

A line a saw somewhere else on the internet: There’s confidence then there’s kilt confidence.

[@carlholttum9150]

My wife bought my first kilt, and really like it, so i have bought five of them now and do wear a kilt every where i can. They will not let me wear a kilt at work , but wear one every where else. I get a lot of compliments.

[@Barzbub]

My friends picked the "KILT" to wear as our team uniform for PAINTBALL back in the 90's in SoCal. The first time we went out to play, EVERYONE laughed, even those who would be playing with us on our side in the game! There was 8 of us; Marines, Army, and a SEAL. We cut through the other team like a whirlwind!! The game lasted minutes, the rest of our side watched in awe!! The next round, the WHOLE other team HUNTED us and ATTACKED us, knowing if they eliminated us, they might win! Of course, the rest of the players with us, flanked them and took them out as the last one of our KILT's was taken out! After that, I'd wear mine more and more. I got several different makes from different companies. I brought tow to IRAQ in 2006. I'd wear one to and from the shower's, it was super coinvent and easy to get undressed and dressed without anything falling on the FLOODED bathroom floor! I also wore one while running in the Saint Patrick's Day 5K on our Camp. The local Public Affairs' Officer (PAO) took my picture. It was printed in the Marine Times for everyone in the CORPS to see!! I got an email from a superior officer "ORDERING" me not to wear it again! I replied, "I'll wear my OTHERONE next time!! I've made a Dress Blue Kilt, to wear to the local Marine Corps Ball celebrations!! Semper Fi

[@la_old_salt2241]

Kilt on Marine. Semper Fi Rob, USNR, 1987-1995

[@Barzbub]

@@la_old_salt2241 Hooyah from an Oorah

[@sonny2593]

My grandma, god rest her, loved it when she first saw me in a kilt. She was riddled with dementia but she pointed and smiled from ear to ear. My auntie said she didnt approve, to which I simply replied "it's me. I'm weird, but I'm amazing. The kilt is the same. Might not make sense, but somehow it just works". She loves it now.

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

I care less what others have to say about it. My daughter ( 29) loves to stay about 2 steps behind me to watch people's reactions. Mom and both sisters like the look of them. I drive a truck, get a lot of compliments and some questions on where I get my kilts. In the last 3 months I did have one incident that stopped me though. While fueling the rig a female trucker 3 pumps away wolf whistled at me. KILT ON MY FELLOW KILTERS!

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

Thank you for the likes!

[@scottmurray5600]

I totally agree with your comments 100%. Come to Glasgow......walk around 'central station' and watch the looks you get. If you can do this single .....thing....you can wear it anywhere. If you guys ever travel over the pond I'd love to do this with you.....I'd even buy the beer(or whisky) at the Horseshoe bar.

[@angryagain68]

I recently wore my kilt to our local Costco. I was working my way down one of their narrow isles in the center of the store where they tend to stuff the "seasonal stuff". A guy and his wife were working there way down the same Isle in the opposite direction. The husband looked at me, grinned and said, "hey, nice skirt". I just stood there staring at him. I always look pretty pissed off anyway. (Hence the KZbin name) He got VERY uncomfortable as he walked past and I just continued to stare him down as he was forced to walk closer and closer to me trying to pass by. He then very nervously said, "Oh, sorry, I meant Kilt", "It's really cool". He CLEARLY thought I might take a swing at him. I couldn't help but bust out laughing. I think he ended feeling pretty emasculated in front of his wife as I stood there laughing at him as he attempted to apologize. I just continued laughing as I turned and walked away shaking my head. (I honestly could not help laughing out loud.) I then got a compliment from a very attractive gal in line next to us checking out at that same time. Honestly, laughing at them is the best way to put them in their place.

[@chrisx7090]

Epic!

[@ogrehaslayers605]

I’ve been wearing a kilt every day for like 12 years now. Anyone that knows me would be shocked to see me in pants lol

[@nealwentz470]

I teach middle school and I wear one every single day. First day of school we had a brief talk: it's a kilt not a skirt, I'm scottish, they're comfortable and I can, and no I'm not afraid of being made fun of. #KiltedOrchestraTeacher Still get nothing but resounding compliments. There was only 1 older woman who made it her mission to harass me about it. Basically a sexual harassment complaint made by my against her was the only way to get her to stop.

[@tarotbear]

Where I worked had an unofficial 'no kilts' policy - which I pushed to the max to find out 'They were afraid I would have nothing on under the kilt'. Do you ask women in skirts if they have on proper underwear? I didn't think so. Any negative commentary about my kilt and/or lack of underwear were told I would report them to HR for sexual harassment. No woman or man wants to be charged with sexual harassment by a man in a kilt.

[@douglasw.plummer8138]

I have never worn a kilt in my past and I am soon turning 67. My wife says she would be pretty weirded out and embarrased about my wearing a kilt. She kinda thinks that me working in the workshop in the basement, maybe in the garage or, working in the garden - when she's not around - I could probably get away with. I am seriously thinking I will do this in the near future. I like the Douglas plaid in the the Ancient and Weathered.

[@maxwellfan55]

Douglas at 67 you must do it. The Douglas tartan is amazing. I prefer the modern myself but whatever, get yourself measured up and go for the best quality 8yard 16oz.

[@douglasw.plummer8138]

@@maxwellfan55 Thank you. I believe that is sound advise.

[@rickmoore3730]

I didn't start wearing a kilt until three and a half years ago and I am now 66 . I now own 17 kilts and it is the only garment I wear . People would wonder what was wrong if I wore pants now . Just go for it and start wearing a kilt . You will kick your butt for not doing it sooner .

[@la_old_salt2241]

Do it Douglas! Fun times await.

[@davidcunningham00]

My wife don't understand, she's Czech, she and I have been married for almost 10 years and the other day I ordered my first kilt, she said she don't want to be around me when I'm wearing it, I told her it's not any different then what she wears for the Czech heritage of her family

[@timmycook6708]

As soon as Rocky mentions overalls, I remember wearing nothing but overalls for my childhood. And I just looked up, to see a man and a woman in overalls 😂 so ironic. Even as a kid wearing overalls, I remember watching movies like braveheart and wishing I had a great kilt. Now I have great kilts and walking kilts and I only wear pants for work because they wont let me wear a kilt.

[@PuddinWS]

LMAO love the Skeeter comment. But yes I absolutely agree that the more of a rise someone gets out of you wearing your kilt the more they will continue to push your buttons. So let any comments role off your back and move on. Life is to short to care what someone thinks of what I choose wear everyday.

[@chuckle021975]

In Scotland we really only wear them at weddings, black tie events, or the rugby and football. "To wear the kilt is my delight. It is not wrong, I know it's right". Also - it is more appropriate for a lowlander to wear tartan trews instead of a kilt.

[@forestbear1]

I worked for a bank, not customer facing. It was casual clothes Friday and I wore my kilt with sporran to cover my junk, hose, boots and Gillies short, oh and underwear just to be sure. At 905am I was taken into a meeting room and advised of the complaint on what I was wearing. Ask if I had pants in my car, ask if I could go shopping for pants. Of course I said no. I was sent home to get changed. A 90 minute round-trip. Henri went home and started my weekend early

[@fa-q-2]

...I reply to most negative comments with, "...and once again, Jealousy raises it's ugly head..." , or "...there definitely not for cowards..."

[@tarotbear]

Passing Jerk: "Hey, Buddy! Nice Skirt!" Reply #1: "Thanks! Where's Yours?" Reply #2: "It's a kilt; if I wore something under it, it would be a skirt." When they ask if "Are you commando?", I always say "Are you man enough to find out?" (Alternate: "Are your hands warm?"

[@ChrisLichowicz]

I wear one occasionally now (bad gut problem). The first 3 years of almost everyday wear, no one said anything to me negatively, even though I only got complimented 3 times - all by women! Otherwise, I don't give a patoot. My wife likes them, that's all that matters to me. I even bought my oldest son one, when I asked him if he'd wear one. It was an enthusiastic "Hell, Yea"!

[@TheKiltedAdventurer]

I'm not an everyday wearer, but am frequently seen on the trails or local venues. Thick skin for sure, and plenty of random looks and comments! Great discussion as always guys. 😁

[@c.w.6318]

You are educating your audience if they are resisting or mocking you for wearing a kilt. They have obviously never seen a man in a kilt before. Keep pushing it. Kilts are t.o.t.a.l.l.y. smashing. Alternatively, if this is a work environment you may tell your gibbering coworkers to focus on their jobs.

[@maxwellfan55]

Carl. Great comment!

[@jeffreywall4818]

Just tell ‘em to bugger off it they don’t like it. Next, my experience has been that women are attracted to men who wear the kilt. Get in reasonable shape, get some sun on your legs, be clean and neat, always have a decent hair cut and you’ll be fine.

[@Blue-rl5dp]

I'm a lady and willing to tell you every man who's not so fat they wobble should wear a kilt. I don't like those little lace-up shoes they sometimes wear with them though. Men should wear boots. Even stocky ankle high will do, but boots.

[@IosuamacaMhadaidh]

Another possible psychological aspect to family giving you guff, it could potentially be a jealousy of your apparent self esteem and courage to wear traditional garb and they don't have these qualities, therefore bringing you down is self confirmation that they are "normal" and you are "strange".

[@Antilleotheclown]

I feel like this it should not matter family members don’t get permission from you on what to wear who to date or love, or anything thing else for that matter. So you live your life for you not for anyone else. If you live your life to keep other people happy you will never truly be happy. I wear my kilt proudly. My family have no choice but to accept my choice as I do about the choices they make.

[@rickmoore3730]

Agree 100 % . People have to live their own life . Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes .

[@charlesdesmoulinsdefalaise3884]

Great advice!

[@republicjim120]

My family and friends are all quite used to me being a little different anyway, so it wasn't a big shock for them when I began to wear kilts. In fact, my wife started the obsession by giving me a simple utility kilt which I wear sometimes while hiking or working on our property. Once I got my first tartan kilt I decided to really go public, and wore it while helping to run our town's annual winter festival. After being kilted all day in front of half the people in our county, I have no problem wearing a kilt to work now and then.

[@Time_Lord_Council]

Hopefully my parents get used to me wearing a kilt more regularly. I still have yet to buy a second kilt that's truly representative of my heritage (in one of our tartans), but my mom is afraid that people are going to make fun of me for wearing it on a regular basis. I'd like to start wearing kilts to work or to church, but I do worry that the older, more traditional congregation of the latter would frown upon a man wearing a garment without an inseam over his legs. That's the biggest concern I have about trying to make the transition to serial kilter.

[@howardibleinc.7317]

What you need to remember is there is a difference between a kilt and a skirt the problem is most do not know the difference.

[@ghoulishtoast1241]

Our school wears kilts for the pipe band, so at first some people I know thought I might be a 'high school hasbeen' waiting to happen because I can't get away from school spirit. But I didn't care so I just wear kilts and no one really cares anymore.

[@richardwhite3924]

Maybe since I am self-employed, I do not have to worry about a dress code at work. I am probably the only kilted jazz/cabaret vocalist in New England. 🙂

[@david.leikam]

Committed since 2020. 👍

[@abagel6063]

So here's a question How should one go about wearing a kilt in the wintertime, when the weather gets colder?

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

I'd suggest a hand warmer in your underwear.🤭 but with good kilt hoses plus my muck boots I stay pretty warm.

[@tcproductionsXXV]

@@the-kilted-trucker59 To be honest, a nice pair of long woolen hose (socks) and warm comy footwear, and a woolen jersey (or jacket if dressing more formally) over your shirt and you should be fine. A proper kilt should be good for trapping warm air and keeping you warm in winter.

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

@@tcproductionsXXV ok, I was joking about keeping warm in a kilt.

[@ashedinthewoods]

I second the warm sock approach: I'm a bit new to the Kilt business, but temperatures here have dropped down to 2°C now, and I have just bought knee-high socks with high wool portion (Haix, just in case one is interested) - as I didn't like the quality of cheap kilt hoses and the price of expensive ones; I wear proper warm boots and warm clothing in general; combined with a 16oz 8yard this will keep you pretty warm as long as you are "in action". When sitting down for a longer time, coldness will creep in - same as with trousers, though.

[@rickmoore3730]

@@ashedinthewoods I have walked in -25 C with inexpensive kilt hose and oxford shoes . My feet never get cold as long as I am moving .

[@johnmichaelwatson3400]

Both my folks, and my in laws always give me grief whenever I wear a kilt, but I have never gotten a negative comment from a stranger. I have gotten weird looks but no stranger has ever bothered me verbally. My in laws do it in good fun, but my folks do it because they think it's stupid. Oh well

[@johnmichaelwatson3400]

I actually wanted to wear a kilt to my fiance and my wedding, but my fiance won't let me because she thinks I'll regret it, but my folks don't think I should because they don't want the family to see their son in a "skirt".

[@cheifreal]

My uncle introduces me as his neice. My mother says one son wants to be a woman and the other wears a skirt. But that is expected from family and close Freinds. I tell uncle he's just jealous my balls hang too low for pants.

[@ChrisLichowicz]

There is one thing I'd like to know. Maybe I'm the only one that suffers this syndrome. I call it " Creased Pleat Anxiety". You know, what happens to your pleats when you sit? They get creased and wrinkled...

[@tcproductionsXXV]

The best way to avoid this is to brush the pleats under you as you sit down! :)

[@ChrisLichowicz]

@@tcproductionsXXV I do! But, car seats😖

[@tcproductionsXXV]

@@ChrisLichowicz I've never had a problem with it, but my cars tend to have leather seats or seat covers that don't grip the pleats. I put one leg into the footwell, sweep the pleats as I sit, and then I should only have less than 45 degrees to turn as I bring my second leg in. I hope this helps - it's certainly not something I ever imagined typing into a KZbin comment! :D

[@la_old_salt2241]

Heavier weight wool allows the wrinkles caused by sitting to simply fall out after standing and walking a bit.

[@sharenerobertson5574]

The kilt was essentially the scotts battle uniform.... After the English defeated the Scotts at the battle of Culloden. The English passed an act making wearing the kilt illegal in Scotland around 1744..

[@rickmoore3730]

You mean Scots and it was a form of everyday dress , not just a " battle uniform " .

[@1FeetHappy]

Be uncomfortable, own it, do it on purpose... you will be better off

[@sundai4486]

Shut yer mouth Skeeter! 👍🏼🤣🤣

[@SkylerLinux]

My BFF always digs me for being OLD, I'm like 6 years older than him. It is all in good fun, now I give him good shit about it; however that's only because it's no fun if I don't.

[@alabamasmokeywilson6818]

Thanks. I really want to wear a Kilt. Living in Alabama I'm sure I'll get some sarcastic comments. I haven't had my DNA checked but I'm a Quinn and a Monroe on Mother's side. I hope that would qualify me

[@rickmoore3730]

You don't need to qualify . If you want to wear a kilt then get one ! As far as sarcastic comments go , Rocky and Eric are spot on . One thing I will sat to people trying to be funny is " if I was going to feel intimidated I wouldn't wear a kilt ," . That pretty much stomps on their desperate attempt of humour without being rude or aggressive and believe me that line works .

[@ronaldprince435]

How about kilts in winter time?

[@rickmoore3730]

I wear my kilts in winter . Keep your upper body and head warm and don't stand still for long periods of time . Moving generates heat . I wear mine to -25C on my one hour walks with no problem . A bit of stamina helps ! I avoid walking on really blustery days however .

[@Peregrin_Took]

Is there some way of learning about the culture hands on, preferably without burning holes in my wallet lol

[@Gatormandan_NBB]

I mean all i get is comlemented

[@davidstewart5811]

What it all boils down to is self perception and identity. Men (like women) have had every kind of fashion throughout history. All fashion is relative to the environment and the culture and evolves and changes, just like hair styles and jewelry. I note that one of the guys has earing studs, so what, it does not define him it simply augments him. A kilt is more than a fashion statement as it supports a concept of ethnicity and historical pride. Hell, I love bagpipes and always wanted to learn how to play but my family does not. So, I listen to my music on my ear phones. A kilt is a bit different as it is public. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of wearing a kilt is that it is such a National Costume versus an item of clothing. When we see folks in Peru or whatever in native costume it is the same thing. However the man on the left is correct in that the best way to deal with rude behavior by others is ignore them. Let's face it, an article of clothing is just that, an article of clothing, nothing more or less.

[@mgconner86]

USA Kilts and Family Therapy, LLC

[@jonathanlee728]

I have been told that"what other people sae and think is non of my F ing bisness."

[@TheEggmaniac]

ok a wee bit of advice fae a regular Scottish kilt wearer. If anybody gives you any bother about yer kilt, just flash them the sgian dubh sticking out yer sock.

[@TheEggmaniac]

I just wanted to make sure everyone knows that was a joke. People can get very easily upset these days.

[@la_old_salt2241]

I'm with you Jack!

[@jamesalexander6417]

I'm a single man with no kids. I don't give a shit who doesn't like me wearing a kilt. Anybody that doesn't like it can shove off. Anybody with snarky comments will receive one of the 1,001 witty one liners that I have ready to go.

[@dylanneely91]

"nice skirt!!" "thanks you too! 😊" "I'm not wearing a skirt" "me neither" If they stil want to clown after that you know there's no hope for them and you can laugh at their myopic world view without guilt

[@violadamore2-bu2ch]

Why does the derogatory opinion of others cause discomfort? Employment is different, the boss makes the rules, unfortunately..

[@sgtkabukiman9411]

Then there's the people who treat it as a weird fetish.

[@Hexsyn]

And if all else fails, you probably have a knife on you to help end the conversation :p

[@scotthalladay2210]

Old school bully’s

[@charlesdriggers199]

My wife loves a kilt. But she is third generation Scottish American. Kilts are manly. Skirts are not. And a kilt is not a skirt. We got our son into kilts also.

[@AustinMello]

Fuck off with this proscriptive gender shit. People are people. A kilt is absolutely a type of skirt, it just happens to be one that is traditionally tailored to compliment masculine bodies. Kilts are as manly, womanly, or otherly as you make them. Skirts are as manly, womanly, orotherly as you make it.

[@Quantumanticz]

Hard to defend “it’s a man’s garment” when we now say “women can wear whatever they want.” Not all of us live in extremely liberal areas. All it takes is one hick seeing a girl wearing a kilt and now all kilts are for women. Contrary to current opinion, I think that even women need to make it known that it is a traditionally man’s clothing article. So people understand that it is the women going against the grain, not the men.

[@AustinMello]

Anyone can wear anything. A kilt is absolutely a type of skirt. The solution, as with all gender issues, is to continue dissolving boundaries. Gender, like literally everything else in the universe, expresses as a fluid spectrum.

[@tcproductionsXXV]

In fact, there are kilts for men and women - the difference, as with any clothing that buttons or buckles up, is that womens' kilts buckle up the other way round. Whilst the front apron of a man's kil is open on the right, it's open on the left of a woman's kilt. Oh, and women don't wear sporrans and sgain dubhs either.

[@la_old_salt2241]

@Torquil Corkerton Also, ladies' kilts are either above the knee or to the ankle. Generally speaking and from a more traditional point of view. However, pipers and drummers in pipe bands wear traditional men's kilts, but in that context, it's a uniform, even in civilian pipe bands. But, occasionally, you will see a lady in a man's length kilt just because she likes it. Gee sounds familiar doesn't it? 😄👍