left or right

[Shawnesse]

I have a question.

I have been wearing my kilt with the left side folded first then the right. Because I am playing a left handed sword fighter. As far as I know this is correct. Am I wrong?

[ccga3359]

I have a question.

I have been wearing my kilt with the left side folded first then the right. Because I am playing a left handed sword fighter. As far as I know this is correct. Am I wrong?

On a man's kilt the right side is folded first (buckled on the left hip) and then the left side folded to the right and bucked. It should make no never-mind if you hold your sword left handed or right.

[Hamish]

I agree with Grant.

[cloves]

i agree too......sorta. It's females who typically fold kilted skirts left first, than right. I'm a lefty too and would love having a kilt that crosses that way, just for convenience sake.

[Kilted KT]

yup...what grant said.

[Chef]

It's just like the placket on a man's shirt, the right side goes under the left.

Apparently this is a Victorian era idea. Women of means would rarely dress themselves so buttons were set up for right handed servants. Apparently this transferred to womens wrap around skirts as well.

[Caradoc]

I have a question.

I have been wearing my kilt with the left side folded first then the right. Because I am playing a left handed sword fighter. As far as I know this is correct. Am I wrong?

"Playing?"

Are you talking about historical re-enactment, LARPing, or what?

I'm assuming that your kilt is a "pleat and belt" variety of great kilt, or breacan feile, as a "regular" kilt can only be worn the way that its straps can be buckled.

If you're wearing a "great kilt," wear it however you want. I've yet to find any documentation that indicates which apron pleat goes over the other, and I suspect that if one were left-handed, one would do it however one was comfortable with it.

[Shawnesse]

I am a ren faire performer. Yes I know being left handed is an automatic(sp?) death sentance, back in the 1500's. But that is another topic. Most of my kilts are "Wee" (4 yards) kilts.

[Nick]

Actually, the 14th century German sword master Leichtenauer specifically stated that if you were right handed, fight with the right, and if you're left handed fight with the left. You're stronger on the dominant side. His techniques were the basis of German swordplay for at least two centuries and his influence can still be seen in the four target quadrants in modern Olympic style foil fencing.

"Wee" kilt usually reffers to the modern "traditional" kilts, as far as I know. Even a 4 yard great kilt is still a great kilt. A friend of mine has one of that length, and it's just as good as my 6 yarder. The difference is mine has more and deeper pleats and he can get dressed faster!

[Andrew Breecher]

I don't know about Victorian buttons, but even in Japanese culture the men cross clothing left over right (kimono, gi, etc.), and women right over left, just as in Western culture. I don't know why, it's just the way it is.

Andrew.