Men haven't always been in trousers. The Roman Empire was created by men in "skirted" garments.

Can men wear anything but trousers?

Men haven’t always been wearing trousers. The Roman Empire was created by men in skirt like garments, one type being floor length (toga), and another one looking like a mini skirt (tunica). Jesus never knew of trousers.
When trousers were invented it was not with the purpose of having men look more masculine. By that time, however, trousers proved to be more practical for a lot of tasks, like horse riding, ladder climbing, war fare etc., many of these, by the way, being of less relevance in the 21st century.

Till our days, in the developed world, only the kilt has survived as a manly non-trouser garment.

What is a kilt?

A kilt is a knee-length hanging or skirted garment with deep pleats at the rear. It had its origin in the Scottish highlands. Among others a theory exists, according to which the Scotsmen were inspired to the kilt by the Vikings invading England and Scotland. Originally it was a rather primitive garment used for daily wear and had little resemblance with the kilt we know today.
Not until the 19th century Scottish lowlanders, counting for 75% of the Scottish population, would wear a kilt at all

Is a kilt a skirt?

According to The European Union Statistics Bureau, Eurostat, the kilt is (no longer) a skirt but a men’s special garment.
Some people shall never stop calling it a skirt, however. If so don't get upset. Quite a few people cannot tell green from red either. Or they are simply stupid.
Well, honestly the kilt is a skirt, but a very special one and definitely for men.

Do you have to be Scottish to wear a kilt?

No, in recent years more and more men in a lot of countries with and without a kilt tradition and no matter their nationality, colour and heritage, will wear a kilt and, no doubt, even more men should like to. The movie Braveheart (1995) and, since 2nd half of the nineties, the Internet have contributed to this development by convincing men who had recognized the advantages of kilt wearing that they were not alone.

Do women wear kilts?

Women will mostly wear kilted skirts that are lighter, use less yardage and have thinner straps and buckles. Kilted skirts may also be longer or shorter than kilts.

Who will wear a kilt?

Demographically men in kilts in all respects equal men in general, it seems, age, education, occupation, civil status, income, children etc. Therefore the difference is the kilt and nothing but the kilt. By the way, kilt wearing has nothing to do with sexual preferences. I mention this, because ignorant people often question such things.

Why should men, being not Scottish, wear a kilt?

The kilt is probably the most comfortable manly garment available. Just think of anatomy.
Should clothing be invented from scratch it is likely that rest rooms signs had to be interchanged, meaning that trousers would be the primary choice of women, whereas skirted garments should be preferred by men?

It is versatile. A casual kilt can with a few accessories be upgraded to rather formal functions, not possible with blue jeans or shorts. In fact it is often just a question whether the kilt socks are up or scrunched down. Come in mind we talk formal wear and not national dress. The kilt is also very much a year round garment due to so-to-speak built-in ventilation.  You must have tried to wear a kilt in snow to understand it.

It is different, the manly wardrobe in itself not being the most inspiring in the world.

It looks good. That is my opinion. And I like the tartans and so might you.

It provides a lot of variety due to thousands of tartans available and the fact that you with the kilt itself get an addition to your wardrobe, because you no longer have to wear trousers all the time.

You stand out from the crowd, but far less than you might fear - or hope for.

Health aspects might apply, again due to anatomy and form follows function.

When and where and to replace what?

In theory, at least, you can wear your kilt every when and everywhere you feel like it.

In practice non-Scots tend to use the kilt as informal casual wear, i.e. to replace shorts and blue jeans rather than to job and formal events.

To Scotsmen and men with Scottish roots, formal wear will often play a major role and many Scotsmen will wear their kilt only at special events like weddings, celeids, highland gatherings etc. To them the kilt shall often replace white or black tie.

This means that you might very well have two different startingpoints: Men who will use their kilt as casual wear - and often become heavy users - will as their first kilt buy a casual kilt, whereas men who will wear their kilt only at special events - and be light users - will probably buy a more formal kilt – or simply rent a kilt plus accessories.

Isn't a kilt very expensive?

It can be, but fortunately it does not have to, at least not for casual wear. Here a rather cheap kilt will do. Just make sure you buy a kilt and not a tartan skirt.
In fact, the availability of affordable kilts might be the condition for most men starting wearing kilts and for a growing kilt market. Without the cheap kilts it is likely that the demand for kilts should decline and eventually make this great garment disappear.

Some traditionalists might be against non-Scots wearing a kilt, as they are against fellow-Scotsmen wearing a kilt as daily attire, as they regard only kilts sewn by hand and by skilled and experienced Scottish kiltmakers living in Scotland and using plaid from Scottish wool to be real kilts.

Fortunately these seem to be few. Highland wear is important and makes a living for a lot of Scotsmen. The more heavy users the more they sell.

What differences does it make if you are Scottish or not?

Do other people believe I'm Scottish when they see me in a kilt?

It depends on where you are living, I suppose.
   In Scandinavian countries you are always addressed in the local languages, indicating that you are regarded just a man wearing a kilt.
   Almost the same is the case in Germany.
   In Southern Europe a Scottish it is probably expected that you have at least some connection to Scotland.

Should I try to "play" scottish?

No. To non-Scots the kilt is just a comfortable, versatile and innovative garment.    Accordingly you should, to my opinion, also avoid accessories too much connected with Scottish national dress like the bonnet.

Should I try to eventually give up trousers?

The kilt is a valuable garment which you can wear when you like to and when appropriate. I myself should never give up trousers and shorts. But I shouldn't be without my kilts either. Variety is the spice of life.

How do I start wearing a kilt in public?

The answer should be: Open the door and out you go.  But for most men it is not as simple as that.  
   If a man wants a tattoo, he'll get it. If he wants his hairs to grow long he will do it. If he wants to pierce his tongue, nose, lip, ear or any other part of his body, he will have it done.
   But if he wants to wear a kilt, which is without any doubt considered a man's garment, he might not dare to wear it out, because of a slight resemblance with a woman's skirt or just because it is different.

It is ridiculous, don't you agree? We are said; or we even claim to be the stronger gender. And what are we when it comes to the way we dress? Nothing but cowards, a lot of us, it seems. 

Should I tell people I know that I'm wearing kilts ore are about to?

Yes, it might be a good idea. No rumours, then. You could either just tell them or have them see pictures, on some of which you are wearing a kilt.

But of course you can also just start wearing it in public and take it step by step. People, with whom you are acquainted, will ask, of course and you must tell them about your reasons why (comfort, variety, difference or simply that you like wearing it) and how you got the idea in the first place etc.

By the way, in these days with Facebook and Twitter it has never been easier to inform friends about changes in life style etc. Add kilt, kilts and kilt wearing to your interests and activities. Also send a message when the kilt has arrived and tell about the advantages wearing it etc.

Of course you won’t get 100% coverage but many shall know in a split second.

How will surroundings react?

People who don’t know you couldn’t care less how you look or how you dress. Men in kilts will largely state that it is a non-event and that their surroundings, relatives and people in their neighbourhood, very soon got accustomed to them wearing kilts.

Your wife might worry the most about your kilt wearing – and in all probability without reason, at all.
   That said I have also seen reports about wives having actually talked their husbands into kilt wearing and where the husbands were somewhat reluctant to start with.

Never ever think that you have to "excuse" that you are wearing a kilt. It has been your decision. To you it is a natural thing. A lifestyle of yours, so to say.

If just more men (and their wives) would consider their "world" just half as tolerant as in fact it is, we should see a lot more of kilts around.

When is the best time of the year to wear a kilt?

In most countries a kilt can be worn year-round. At temperatures between -3 and 30 Celcius the kilt is perfect.

In winter only your knees have to be uncovered and they don’t freeze. The kilt itself with its four to seven meters of fabric as well as the kilt hose will keep theremaining parts of your legs efficiently protected against coldness.

Your only problem might be all the people freezing in their trousers and asking you if you are not cold. 
   In summer the kilt is protecting against heat - and sun. In fact you’ll feel more comfortable than when in shorts.

Add to that that you are at all times better dressed up. Where you should notbe at ease wearing shorts you can without problems wear a kilt.