Ladies- do you wear "male" kilts or kilts made specially for women?

**RectaPete** · 14th June 15, 03:09 PM

According to Dr. Nick Fiddes in his excellent Kilts and Tartan Made Easy, having specially-made kilts for women is a recent minor tradition and women can wear the style of kilt now considered "male".

So, the question is this: do you wear standard "male" kilts or kilts made with women in mind? Maybe even both?

I'm not a regular kilt wearer (yet), but I'm not a fan of miniskirts or anything too feminine, not to mention I'm a larger woman (not for long I hope!), so I would definitely plump for the "male" kilt.

**Tarheel** · 14th June 15, 07:57 PM

I'm sure that our Lady Angie will enter to post something as soon as she sees this thread. She wears a number of different kilts and will offer the best advice. The other ladies that choose female kilts over the men's will also offer their reasons. I believe it will be your choice in the end but this is an honest query and I hope you get satisfactory answers.

**Lady Grey** · 15th June 15, 03:21 AM

Both
I make mens styles to fit my shape. (Box pleats & RevK)
What side the kilt closes on depends entirely on how awake I am when I'm marking up.
I don't have the funds to buy a traditional kilt from a well known manufactor but if I did I would make it work! And rock it!
That's the beauty of a kilt, it can adjust to fit many shape, even a basic off the rack kilt.
I bought a cheap mini kilt from a UK supplier, yeah it's shaped for a woman but I wouldn't call it a kilt, it's a tartan wrap around skirt, ain't no swish in it!

**Lady Grey** · 15th June 15, 03:24 AM

Oh and as for not mini & 'not to feminine' leggings & Doc Martens are your friend! Well mine anyway

**plaid preacher** · 15th June 15, 06:22 AM

I think perhaps the other thing to add is that while to kilt is traditionally a male garment, it is also mostly a bespoke garment. Therefore, most 8-yard 16oz kilts are made not just for "a man" but each is made for "a specific man". Likewise, a handmade kilt made for you will be uniquely "your" garment; probably with a higher rise to reflect the higher natural waist of a woman, and a more generous apron curve. I have a length of fabric at home that I am intending to sew up for my youngest daughter into a box-pleated kilt ... all I have to do is get the 8 yards of fabric that is my next kilt off the table first!

Around these parts the right vs left closure doesn't seem to receive much support. On this forum a kilt is a kilt is a kilt.

I think if anything, for the ladies here, they are freed from some of the rigid strictures and debate around THCD; and can make and wear a kilt that they like and like to wear.

My thoughts anyway.

**Angela Kaye Bodine** · 15th June 15, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

I'm sure that our Lady Angie will enter to post something as soon as she sees this thread. She wears a number of different kilts and will offer the best advice. The other ladies that choose female kilts over the men's will also offer their reasons. I believe it will be your choice in the end but this is an honest query and I hope you get satisfactory answers.

Thank you Tarheel :-) I will do my best..Angie..My McGregor Hunting Modern came in a couple weeks ago.. Mike will help me ( another good egg)

**Angela Kaye Bodine** · 15th June 15, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by RectaPete

According to Dr. Nick Fiddes in his excellent Kilts and Tartan Made Easy, having specially-made kilts for women is a recent minor tradition and women can wear the style of kilt now considered "male".

So, the question is this: do you wear standard "male" kilts or kilts made with women in mind? Maybe even both?

I'm not a regular kilt wearer (yet), but I'm not a fan of miniskirts or anything too feminine, not to mention I'm a larger woman (not for long I hope!), so I would definitely plump for the "male" kilt.

Hi ! I guess I wear mens kilts or considered mens..I have 10 and Bonnie has made them all. Most of them go about an inch above the knee ( I like it better that way, Bonnie altered a kilt someone gave me and it had to be a inch shorter than my first 4, so now I like the length that way so my other 6 are like that) Bonnie also she puts less pleats in my heavier tartan I have, but I liked it so much she is putting less in my future ones..I wear T- shirts that are form fitting ), very female shirts with them, boots, clogs, crocks and even wear sporrans w them...I know some may think it's not right, but I like it...I think I do it justice..I recently bought one off the rack kilt ( I don't count that as my 10th kilt ) the flap of the apron is on the left, its a woman's kilt..I think it's awkward because I'm use to my other ones. I got it because when we go somewhere on the weekend, we may be at a place where my kilts may get dirty. I won't be to upset if the off the rack gets dirty..I love my kilts..Bonnie puts love into them. The off the hanger kilt wasn't made w love it was also only $60.00 at a Celtic Festival last week in New Jersey in Ocean Port...Angie..Ps..I seem to be having trouble with my replies, it seems I can only do it w a quote, not sure why, so I apologize..unless im completely blind and don't see the other one lol..

**Pleater** · 15th June 15, 11:02 AM

As I make my kilts it's a bit academic as what exactly they might be defined as.

Kilts are not fastened on the left for women - at least not in the UK - I have found knitting patterns and a few old black and white films where women are wearing various sorts of kilt and they are all, without exception, fastened on the right.

The kilts I had as a child fastened on the right - so like the kimono, if it is a kilt, it wraps left over right.

I make reverse Kingussie style kilts and do not sew down the fell, so I would expect that anyone with about the same waist size as myself could put on one of my kilts and it would fit. I make them various lengths - it seems a shame not to use up the material if it is good stuff, so 24 inches or longer.

I suspect that the wars were one reason for the right side fastening - if you could get your hands on a kilt then you would wear it, as long as it could be fitted around you.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Julia Elliott** · 15th June 15, 12:13 PM

I havent made it yet, but i do have a pattern to make a short wrap skirt, which will be made using either Nova Scotia tartan, or Elliott Tartan, or heck, maybe one of each. So it will be "Kilt-ish". For myself I wouldnt wear a traditonal kilt, because i am petite and think the pleats would be a bit overwhelming. However, i have attended many events around here where i have seen women wearing both "mens" kilts and kilts with a more feminine fit. I think they all look great, and i think the key is, most people know what looks good on their body type and suits their own personality . I think as long as you stick to whatever makes you comfortable you will no doubt rock it.

**sydnie7** · 15th June 15, 12:42 PM

I'm struggling with this question right now. I have several lengths of tartan that I'd like to make up for myself, but what to do? Have always had a definite pear shape, proportions do not change regardless of weight. So with the widest part of body below the fell, pleats are problematic. . . But so tempting. Rather than try such a drastic taper, I'm considering a bias-cut skirt yoke with pleats falling from that. It will be done up first in some "trade" tartan from the old Kirkbright remnants site, just to see how it looks. Right after I finish knitting hose for grandniece Ginger, who totally rocks her traditionally made Navy Edzell kilt!