My mom won't let me wear pants?

ok, its not that she won't let me its just that she'll lose respect for me if i do and she'll probably start lecturing me which i really, really don't wanna hear because i do not share her opinion that it is not right for women to wear pants.The thing is i when i go to college people think i am weird because i wear skirts all the time and i think they find me unapproachable. The fact of the matter is, people don't say " oh wow you look so nice and feminine today" but instead they say (and i have gotten this many times before from strangers and people i know) "what religion do you profess?" " I never see you wear pants." in addition to looking weird, when i wear skirts my self confidence is down in the dumps cause people are always looking at me like i'm involved in some cult. AND pants are just more practical since i do take public transportation a lot. its hard to get on a train with a big ol' back pack and a long billowing skirt! now i guess this is two questions but i'll ask it any way. When you dress in skirts ALL the time and you start wearing pants, people are still going to be looking at you weird because they are not used to seeing you in pants. Any thoughts on how to make a smooth transition?