Northern NJ....

[jeanfor]

I was wearing a pleated Tartan (black/white and some red) skirt 2" above the knee, with a black England T-shirt, black boots and socks. Went to Panera bread and Walmart. No issues. In fact people were very nice. A lady opened the door for me at Panera. Even if you do not wear a formal kilt, I think people will consider a tartan skirt that is not too short to be a kilt

[jeanfor]

By the way that way at the Rockaway Mall. The funny thing is all the women were in pants and I was the only one in skirt....

[Kris]

I was wearing a pleated Tartan (black/white and some red) skirt 2" above the knee, with a black England T-shirt, black boots and socks. Went to Panera bread and Walmart. No issues. In fact people were very nice. A lady opened the door for me at Panera. Even if you do not wear a formal kilt, I think people will consider a tartan skirt that is not too short to be a kilt

I'm glad to hear you had a good outing. I think you're right that to most people in the US, if a skirted garment is even remotely kilt-like, and it's on a man, it's a kilt. Unless you meet someone who is involved in for example, a bagpipe and drum band, they won't have any notion of what constitutes a traditional kilt and related outfit.

Kris

[jeanfor]

Today, the guy at the gas station convenience store asked me if I were Scottish.....

[Since1982]

Last time someone asked me if I was Scottish, (wearing a green peasant skirt to mid calf) I answered, "No, I am just a happy man though, why do you ask?"
His response was, "well, becc-ause of th-th-the kilt (he stammered out). I just answered with "It's not a kilt, it's a skirt"..and walked away, looked back one time and he was watching me walk away but trying not to let me see him watching...LOLOL

Hey, if you're going to be ignorant, you gotta be tough!

This was in 2005 when I'd just come out skirted all the time and was a little defensive about skirt related questions. Now, I try hard to explain so they don't feel put off. 'Never know, they may turn into the next convert.

[jeanfor]

'Never know, they may turn into the next convert.

You are right about that! But my experience so far has been very good with no unpleasant comments. It looks like people do seem interested in the idea.
I am a recent convert and if I were receptive to the idea other men will be. I have to tell you that the first time going out in public was the hardest but then it just becomes natural. My opinion is that many men are sitting on the fringe, want to wear a skirt but cannot make the first move. What got me motivated is first you live only once, so it is my life and I want to live it to the fullest as if I were living my last day. Second, I saw a few videos on YouTube about the universe and how small we are in that universe. Does it really matters what I wear in the scale of the universe. It just becomes a non issue for me.

[Steve]

Last time someone asked me if I was Scottish, (wearing a green peasant skirt to mid calf) I answered, "No, I am just a happy man though, why do you ask?"
His response was, "well, becc-ause of th-th-the kilt (he stammered out). I just answered with "It's not a kilt, it's a skirt"..and walked away, looked back one time and he was watching me walk away but trying not to let me see him watching...LOLOL

This is a favorite response of mine too - many times I've worn something clearly not a kilt, but someone will complement me on it "Nice kilt!". I answer with "It's not a kilt, it's a skirt" (in a matter-of-fact tone). I enjoy the reactions that line can get.

[jeanfor]

This is a favorite response of mine too - many times I've worn something clearly not a kilt, but someone will complement me on it "Nice kilt!". I answer with "It's not a kilt, it's a skirt" (in a matter-of-fact tone). I enjoy the reactions that line can get.

Well I just said I was french.... I have not got the kilt question yet but I would respond in the same manner as you said. Besides I am not planning in wearing a real kilt until winter. I am always too warm and I have worn short shorts in the middle of winter (to people dismay).

[Steve]

This is a favorite response of mine too - many times I've worn something clearly not a kilt, but someone will complement me on it "Nice kilt!". I answer with "It's not a kilt, it's a skirt" (in a matter-of-fact tone). I enjoy the reactions that line can get.

I also thank them for the complement

[jeanfor]

I also thank them for the complement

You are 100% right. At least it shows that the look is perfectly OK.

[Since1982]

jeanfor said: and if I were receptive to the idea other men will be.

I'm sorry but I can't get on that old "If I can do it,be receptive, lose weight, grow taller, get smarter, gain weight, fall on my tush, you can too" bandwagon. We're not clones and we all (except lemming/penguin suit wearers) have different experiences with similar beginning acts.
There are millions of personality Actor diet oriented food sellers, colleges, job offerers that all say, "If I can do it, so can you" and it's just not true, that's all BS in my opinion.

[jeanfor]

jeanfor said: and if I were receptive to the idea other men will be.

I'm sorry but I can't get on that old "If I can do it,be receptive, lose weight, grow taller, get smarter, gain weight, fall on my tush, you can too" bandwagon. We're not clones and we all (except lemming/penguin suit wearers) have different experiences with similar beginning acts.
There are millions of personality Actor diet oriented food sellers, colleges, job offerers that all say, "If I can do it, so can you" and it's just not true, that's all BS in my opinion.

I would phrase it another way. If I was able to get myself informed about men in skirts and found it interesting and then I wanted to try it for myself there will probably be other creative men who will go though the same process.