I'm in my mid forties, married, have an 11 year old son and live in South Buckinghamshire, UK. I first wore a sarong in Egypt a couple of years ago when a friend lent me one the day after I burned the backs of my calfs. I was stunned by just how comfortable it was and so have been wearing a sarong when kicking around at home for the last couple of years.
Initially I felt somewhat ambivalent about it, it was comfortable but was it acceptable? So I was careful not to wear it when I expected people around or if my son had friends over. However over time I simply got so used to wearing it that I forgot to change when people arrived and since no one seemed to care I became far more relaxed about it to the point that I took a sarong with me on a diving holiday with some friends last year and hardly ever wore anything else when I was out of the water. I got a bit of ribbing about my skirt from other club members but since I did not rise to the bait they got bored and that stopped.
My other concern was that my son might get some negativity from other kids at school but he does not care. In fact he tells me he's only had one negative comment (though quite a few questions about why) when a girl in his year challenged him with "Your dad wears a skirt - he must be gay". According to his teacher the reply "You're in trousers so you must be a dyke" was not acceptable
. Suffice to say that the form teacher and I had a few words and the school have now accepted that the girl who approached him, right in front of the teacher, was just as wrong as my son and far more importantly that the teacher was completely out of order to punish only my son, apparently supporting the girl's point of view.My wife has often said to me in the past that she liked to see men in kilts, so when I found a cheap "kilt" (Mercy Clothing's black, Goth, poly cotton job) on eBay for a few quid, I bought it and wore it on valentines evening as a bit of a joke. My wife loved it and I was amazed to find it was very nearly as comfortable as the sarong and far easier to wear since it does not catch on things as often or, being heavier, get lifted by the wind as easily. Since then I've worn the kilt more often than trousers when not at work. I am quite comfortable socially with the kilt and going shopping, walking the dog and going to the pub all seem perfectly normal to me to the point that I get asked why I'm in not in a kilt if I go to the pub in shorts (usually because I've cycled).
I've also taken to travelling in the kilt whenever practical as it is far more comfortable than trousers when sat on a plane or in a car for hours on end. Flying in and out of Spain and Croatia it has raised a few eyebrows, many smiles and earned me many positive comments. I chose "not to hear" the wolf whistle from a bunch of boozed up football fans
. The kilt proved to be an excellent conversation starter when travelling and I've met a number of interesting people who I'd never have spoken to otherwise. As a fairly shy guy that is a real positive for me.I've just ordered another casual kilt (from http://www.mytartan.com) in camouflage print as one is simply not enough.
I also have a number of skirts, three of around 15" length that are great for walking in warm weather but might be difficult socially, sitting down requires great care to avoid showing off, however these skirts have never raised any comment when I've met people out walking. I also have a 35" long black cotton skirt from Wallis with two cargo pockets, which is comfortable and practical and has been worn to the pub with only a few raised eyebrows, and a heavy weight long MUG (40") with huge box pleats front and rear that allows me a full stride and is great for walking in cold weather apart from the problem of getting the hem wet and muddy across country.
Anyhow, enough about me. I'm here to hear of others experiences and learn, so I guess I should shut up.
Have fun,
Ian.
(Typo corrected.)
