Woman in a Kilt?

[ali8780]

I have to say that I think Dixiecat makes a good point. Personally, I have no interest in wearing a man's kilt, but from a fashion standpoint, what she wrote makes perfect sense.

Just about anything goes these days if you pull it off with a little class. I've seen women wear neckties, three piece suits, and fedora's and look very feminine and sexy, and all of these are traditionally men's garments. Here, I'll even find a picture:






And don't they look feminine and adorable? Fashion is an evolving thing, if we stuck strictly to what was traditional, women would still be in corsets and hoop skirts and men would be the ones wearing the tights and high-heels. And really, who is to say what is traditional? We'd have to appoint someone to pick a moment in history to stick with and then employ millions to enforce the idea ;)

By the way, I realize how contradictory this all must sound after my last thread.... and I really have no excuse, except to say that I have gotten over the tie and fedora thing (and have worn them both), maybe I just need more time to get over the kilt thing since it's so new to me.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I think that the old "Secret" ads could give us some guidance here (Remember? "Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman").

A kilt custom made for a woman will fit a woman very well. A kilt made for a man will look a bit awkward on a woman. The basic disagreement seems to be whether a woman has the "right" to wear a kilt. People argue that with jeans, it's not the same thing, because women have their own "version" of jeans, for the most part they're not wearing men's jeans (although I often do, because they tend to be sturdier).

Well, when I make my own handsewn, custom kilts, in my clans' tartans (X-MarkstheScot.com tartan, Macleod of Lewis, and Nicolson), I will be modifying them (I'm going to make a mirror image kilt-opens on the left, pleats folded in the opposite direction from a man's kilt), but they will be kilts, not lightweight women's skirts

There are those that will be offended by this, but I'm not doing it to offend, I'm doing it out of pride in my heritage and my membership in these clans. I don't wear tartan sashes well, they get in my way. I have enough flirty little mini skirts and soon I'll be of an age where it begins to be ridiculous to wear such things anyway (in 20 years or so ), so I'm taking the next step and making something a bit more dignified.

So, wear a kilt, just do so respectfully (as you obviously are!).

Be well,

Star

[Cynthia]

At the moment, I wear a SWK Thrifty in Irish National. It was affordable and I wanted to check one out (sorry to say, no I will not be ordering a Thrifty for my husband). I couldn't afford anything in a tartan that means a lot to me, and I chose Irish National because it was available and in a sense it was for my father (long story -- his health was and still is pretty bad and I wanted to get something quickly so he could see me in it -- family rumor is that at least one branch had Irish ancestors. Haven't found proof of that being the case with those ancestors, but the thought and memories are there).

When I was planning on competing in Highland Games athletics, I would have worn a kilt with kilt hose (no other accessories except garter ties to hold up the hose, understandably). We had to cancel competing this year at least due to hubby's health and focusing on some other things. (I miss those guys!)

If I get the chance to take bagpipe lessons and continue on, I will indeed wear the kilt and all the accessories as required for a uniform.

Otherwise, I do intend to get ladies' kilted skirts of various lengths. If I make myself a kilted skirt, I will have the apron open on the other side.

So, me personally? I wear a Thrifty temporarily (it sits low on my hips and I dress it up with heels or boots) and intend to get kilted skirts in various styles. I don't want to just look like I'm wearing some random fashion with plaid in it -- I most definitely want it to represent my heritage, and I won't just wear any tartan either. I'm going to carefully decide what I want (including sashes).

And when I need to, yes, I will wear the kilt as a uniform.

[Ealisaid]

I am with Dixiecat as well. I have found that SWKs ready-made for men don't fit me well, but I certainly would wear them if they did fit. I love kilted skirts too, but would prefer them to have deeper pleats! If I have a kilted garment made to measure, I will have it built to mid-knee length and mirror-image to standard men's kilt, with deep pleats and the tailoring needed to accomodate the female figure. Wolfgore made me a kilt this way and I love it. It fits well. Sticklers will hopefully not be much offended, should I visit Scotland. I wear the kilt(ed skirt) with hose, and frequently get comments about looking like a schoolgirl. Usually these are meant as compliments, but I *don't* look to myself like a schoolgirl. I carry a sporran like a shoulder bag, but would not wear it like a man does. Personal preference.

The questions raised by the kilt being a man's garment will be answered by each person differently. Being a lady wearing a kilt amongst other kilted folk is perhaps analogous to being a gentleman wearing a kilt in a culture which is ignorant of its meaning and provenance. People may well disapprove of one's attire or even openly criticise one. Some people seeing a woman in a kilt will think she is mannish, some won't draw that conclusion. It's in their heads, and one can't much influence other people's reactions.