Women in Kilts?

**Cathy McWilliams** · 18th February 12, 09:54 AM

As you can tell from my pic, I am definately a woman, and the kilt IS a man's garment. But as a shop-owner and kiltmaker, I want to wear a kilt. But I'm sort of a traditionalist.
Would you guys object? People like to see my work and I am soooooooooo tired of toting around that dummy with a kilt on it.

What say you gents?

okay, then what tartan should I choose? I'm a card carrying member of both Robertson and MacMillan (do NOT even suggest Dress MacMillan please), but my mother-in-law is a Grimes (Graham). my lineage is from Germany & Russia, so nothing there. I'm thinking of one of the "generic" tartans: Spirit of Scotland, Scottish National; I'm an Army Vet, so I could use the Army tartan......and yes, I'm a SAMS member too. I know they would love it......

like a woman: I just can't make up my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!

In friendship and mirth
Cathy Mac

**Father Bill** · 18th February 12, 10:01 AM

Cathy, I'm no expert, but I note that women in pipe bands wear male-style kilts, and I've certainly seen them elsewhere (mostly on ladies' backsides, I mean.) I think the advice you'll get here is "Go for it," and "Wear that with which you most identify."

All best,

Bill+

**TurboKittie** · 18th February 12, 10:02 AM

Hi Cathy.

As another woman, I can tell you that the consensus that I have received is that - we can wear whatever we please, since we are already technically breaking the rules. Which also goes with footwear, which makes me happy.

I prefer to shorten my kilts to be a bit higher than a man would wear, say an inch or so above my knees, but that is entirely my choice. I also choose to either wear a sporran off to one side, on my hip, or just use one as a traditional shoulder bag rather than wearing them the same way a man would wear one.

There are kilted skirts available, some of which I like the look of, and as with women's fashions, some I know would look ridiculous on me. Check out some of the advertisers for this forum, and cruise the ladies sections to see if there's anything that strikes your fancy, bearing in mind you still have a traditional kilt open as an option for you.

Welcome to XMTS

**piperdbh** · 18th February 12, 10:05 AM

I'd say go for a "real" kilt in the muted MacMillan. I think some MacMs call it "Mud MacMillan". It looks really nice to me, and is not a tartan you see everyday.

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 10:05 AM

Especially in your case, I'd say to go for it!

Maybe play with the length a tad and just accessorize it real feminine-like, and you're good to go.

As for tartan, go with the one that you like the look of best. In the long run, that's probably what will make you most happy.

And a *** to what DBH said, if you do like the look of that particular tartan; I certainly do, in spite of not liking the standard color scheme MacMillan too much.

**Kiltedinkansas** · 18th February 12, 10:06 AM

As Greendragon once said, "Girls in kilts, sounds like crossdressing to me."
Not that im against you crossdressing!

As far as which tartan, I suggest you pick the one that you feel the most attachment to. Whether that is a clan attachment or a purely visual one is up to you. Of the kilts I currently own my favorite is my Grey Spirit, and thats a "fashion tartan"!

In other words, wear what pleases ya and enjoy!!

**Jackson** · 18th February 12, 10:35 AM

I'm no means and expert on anything related to kilts, but, I know what I like. We have several young ladies in a local pipe band that when they march away from you, they add a swing to the pleats that no man can mimic! I, for one, don't have a problem with that. I am a dedicated, expert at watching the fairer sex, however they're dressed.

Since you are a kilt maker, as to the tartan, I suggest you wear whatever you're working on---be a walking advertisment. You are lucky, you'll have way more options then the rest of us do.

Jackson

**gary meakin** · 18th February 12, 11:00 AM

What better advertising for a kilt maker than wearing one of your creations.
I personally like the robertson the best out of those three but I would go with the one that shows off your work the best.

**Mikilt** · 18th February 12, 11:22 AM

Wear what makes you happy!

If you are really concerned about being a woman wearing a kilt, simply make yourself one with the straps reversed to be on the left side rather than the right. Bada bing, you have a ladies garment!

I believe Alan H suggests this very thing in his "How to make an X kilt" document. Just giving credit where credit is due!

Welcome to XTMS!

**ThistleDown** · 18th February 12, 11:52 AM

Cathy, may I suggest a reverse apron and a slightly shorter length? From a marketing perspective you would then be promoting your product to both men and women.