my currant quandry.......tank?

[cloves]

soooo.......I am a bit vexed lately and I'm hoping that you lot might be able to help me out.

For those that don't know me, I'm one of only a handful of female kilt wearers on board here.
Now I know there are those that oppose women wearing kilts and some that don't. I'd prefer if we don't open up the whole "should women/shouldn't women" debate and instead open up the "should I or shouldn't I" debate with regards to a tank instead.

Let me better explain. In the begining I was surfing the internet and somehow stumbled across the UK website. I've never ever been a girlie girl (some might say I'm a rather butch lesbian...but I digress) and I've always hated wearing skirts. Too flimsy, too femme and just not me. However a UK, now there's an unbifurcated garmet I could handle. I immediately ordered a chocolate workmans and I wear it ALOT. I work retail in a cd store and It has pockets for pens, a utility knife etc. I can get it dirty, crush boxes, move store fixtures and have no worries about ruining it. It takes a beating and looks good with either a rock band t-shirt (my usual work attire) or it can be made slightly more spiffy with a nice button shirt. Very versatile. Nothing complicated about that.

So after reading the UK yahoo group stuff I eventually found AK's and learned about the difference between symmetrical pleats versus regular knife pleats and whatnot. I saw that AK had a few kilts up for auction on ebay and eventually got a denim AK for a very good deal. It was a bit dressier than my UK and it became a kilt that I wore out to dinner and to slightly more formal occasions.

After that I got a Tripp kilt from Hottopic. Not a very versatile garment but it's very goth, which suits me fine, and is awesome for clubbing.

So you see, all of my kilts thus far have been contemporary and because of that, alot more unisex. Up until reading posts about "women shouldn't wear kilts" it never really occurred to me I shouldn't. The thing is I've always pursued a lifestyle that is typicaly not very female. I've taken alot more slack about being a girl drummer (i've played drums since 7th grade). More slack for practicing martial arts. More slack for riding a skateboard. More slack for being gay......and the list goes on.

Here's the quandry part....thanks for reading this far. In the begining I was such a kilt newbie. I bought them just cause I thought they were cool. Looking back, I feel I was almost a poseur. But now having found xmarks, I've learned so much. About kilt history. About my gang *nods at Ron*. About alot of the posters on board here. I've come to really respect the things you guys do and say. Sort of like an online extended family.
Let's not forget about all of the craftsmen as well. Really good quality stuff handmade by a whole handful of board members. I feel a certain kinship.
Now more than ever I want a tank and I want to collect the accessories that go with it........but.....I'm a girl.

While I can justify the contemporary kilts, because they do their job. I'm not sure I can say the same thing about a tank. Damnit! After having spent all of this time and energy on xmarks, I think i've developed a sense of commeraderie with you guys and I really want to be a part of that. I want to get a tank and all the stuff.... not just to wear, but to have some real artwork made by people I know! In other words...I wanna play too.

Since i've been going against the grain for most of my life as stated above, to just roll over and let it go seems very unlike me and that's what's giving me pause......
However, will I wear a 400 dollar tank clubbing? Not likely
Will I wear a 400 dollar tank to work? Possibly, but not as often as I should to get the mileage out of the money spent.
Will I wear it out to a formal dinner? Maybe, but with what? There's no way in hell I'll wear a Prince Charlie outfit or even an Argyle jacket....I mean sheesh, I may be butch, but not THAT butch. hahaha

what do I do? I had my heart set on a "real" kilt, but I'm guessing it's prolly not in the cards. Thoughts? Opinions? And if you think I should anyway...tell me when I'll wear it, and give me suggestions as to what I might wear with it.

thanks for you help.

[The Supreme Canuck]

Well, really, who cares what others think? If you want to wear a tank, go for it. That said, a traditional kilt is most certainly a man's garment. If you're comfortable with that, then there's no problem. You will have to deal with people walking up and telling you that to your face, especially if you go with a sporran and hose. Again, if you can deal with it, no problem. It's up to you.

By way of example...

I feel very strongly that a kilt is a man's garment, pure and simple. The female option is the kilted skirt. But then, I wouldn't tell you not to wear one. Who am I to tell you what to wear, and what not to? My reaction would be "Oh. A woman in men's clothing. Okay. Interesting choice." Be warned that you will get traditionalists flying off at you, though. But - and this is important - who cares what I, or anyone else thinks?

So my vote is to go for it if you feel like it after considering exactly what you're dealing with.

As a note, to stop some of the criticism, you might want to get the tank made with the apron opening on the other side. Same way that women's and men's shirts have buttons on different sides. Just a thought.

[Rex_Tremende]

I would buy the tank and a nice shirt or two, and enjoy some nice evenings out with someone special.

It sounds like the issue you are dealing with is the investment, and not the social connotations: Will it be worth it? That's a question a lot of us have asked at some point. I don't know anyone here who'd say they made a bad decision.

As for the other debate, since the objection I think most men have about women wearing menswear is the feminization of their things, I'm willing to bet that's not your style and no one is going to accuse you of that.

But you will look like a million bucks!
(or quid, or whatever)

Regards,
Rex.

[Reno]

I think Rex is right. I'm guessing you don't take any stick from anyone about your wardrobe now, so, why should a kilt be any different? But, a nice kilt is an investment. If you're not sure about wearing a tartan, etc., you might go with a USA kilt or Stillwater first. Spending less up front will allow to pick up a few more accessories, and you can really see if tartans/traditional kilts are up your alley.

[Hachiman]

Well, really, who cares what others think? ... (snip)...But then, I wouldn't tell you not to wear one. Who am I to tell you what to wear, and what not to? My reaction would be "Oh. A woman in men's clothing. Okay. Interesting choice."

Hiya Cloves

I have to agree with The Supreme Canuck. One of the many reasons I want to wear a kilt is, for want of a better term, "gender equity". Therefore, if I want to wear what is essentially a man's skirt, who am I to question what a woman wants to wear?

I also like TSC's suggestion of altering the way the kilt wraps around the body - it's subtle difference, but those who know will spot it. Another idea would be to get a solid coloured kilt, such as those offered by SWK...just because it might be a little less likely to be perceived as a male's garment.

And, if you want the sporran, but are reluctant to wear it in the same fashion as it's "traditionally" worn by men, perhaps wear your sporran on your hip (as it was once worn in the 'old days')?

When it comes down to it, it's your choice and I (for one) would support your right to have the freedom to choose what you wear and how you choose to wear it.

cheers!

Hachiman

[scottish]

wear what ever you like thats what i say and as a ex highland dancer we wore kilts real ones not kilt skirts at all,i know the kilt in a whole is a male garment but if us woman can wear them to dance why not any other time i wouldnt wear a sporran though thats realy is for the man,ok thats me ill shut up now

[Bob C]

When I saw "currant quandry" in the title, I thought this was a thread about fruit.

Seriously, though, to answer your current quandry, buy the tank if you want it. If you don't think you'll wear it enough to justify the cost, get someting like a Stillwater standard, instead.

My first kilt was (and is) a $600 tank. I put off buying it for years and finally justified the cost by getting it for my wife upgrade (second wedding). Since then, I've found several occasions on which to wear it. I later added an inexpensive kilt.

Live like you want to live, young lady.

[auld argonian]

One of the things that got me to stay around here is that the members seem to be an incredibly diverse group but we're all united in one obsession...and it does get to be a little bit more of an obsession than I like to admit. I think we all know where you're coming from on the craving for a true tank. Some of us have a kilt and some of us have many (many) kilts..but, yeah, a tank (and I don't have one yet) must be a wonderful thing to own and experience. I seriously doubt that anybody here is gonna tell you "don't".

Like I've said before, I'm wearing the kilts that I have and sort of adjusting the look to be consistant with my character. Love tartan, not crazy about the "modern" kilts...like the NeoKilts with the tartan insets. Definitely not a "traditionalist"...I'm not looking for a Prince Charlie jacket, either...just like to keep it as plain as possible. That's my "look", I'm sure that you'll find your own...you've doubtless seen lots of examples of "looks" on Xmarks and you'll figure out what you want. As to gender lines...eh! Are there any left? However you approach putting this stuff together it's your self-expression and you please yourself...

Personally, I'm putting off the tank for a while. I have no really direct clan associations and I'll most likely get a district tartan. And I will most probably only be able to justify popping for ONE tank...hey, I got kids in college. So when I decide on the ONE, you bet I'll try to do it right. In the meantime, I'll probably pick up a PV semi-trad. I'd even suggest that you might think about an "eight yard" PV as a possibility...they look good and if you're concerned about clubbing, they're very washable and that fabric wears like iron. But when you see the members of a pipe band in their immaculately kept tanks, you realize just how nicely they fit and look...and, frankly, (and this may not matter to you....) I've seen a couple of pipe band chicks (drummers mostly) who look beaucoup hot in those kilts. So whether you want to look hot or cool, you'll work it out. Sounds like you know who you are and will adjust your kilted look accordingly.

Best

AA

[possingk]

First my apologies to Hamish and other traditionalist as I will use the term tank throughout this e-mail it is easier to type than traditional eight yard kilt.

I have the material in my closet for my US Bic kilt in my closet and no money to get it made, so I certainly know the desire to get a tank. I have gone through all the thoughts that you have mentioned for many of the same reasons, will I wear it and et all. I have gone about my kilts in much the same way you did, I have one stillwater economy that I sewed the pleats down and added a Buffalo Sabres patch to, and wear it on all game nights, I have three USA Casual Kilts hand made and works of art. I have a SWK standard that I wear for my pipe band gigs, and I have a 5 yard wool xmarks kilt made by Rocky again a work of art, not a tank, but as close as I have right now. Do I wear my Xmarks kilt out when I drink and such yes, am I really comfortable doing so, not really. I wear it to church on Sundays and going out if it is really cold, but if I am going to be sitting for a long period of time, it gets wrinkled and out of shape not exactly the garmet I would wear out for a long happy hour. My other kilts fit that bill perfectly though. I love the way the way my USA Kilts fit me they were made for me, I am six foot four so my SWK are a little short, but the weight is great on them.

If you came up to me on the street with the same dilema I would recommend a USA Semi Traditional ($220), Canadian Casual Kilts also sell PV tradtional kilts as I recall check them out or depending on how it would fit you a SWK standard ($89), wear them for a while treat them as you would a tank and see how often you would wear them, but also know that whichever one you choose that if something does happen to the kilt it can be washed, just make sure that you realize if it were a tank that it would be more difficult.

With a semi-traditional you will have a hand made work of art wrapped around you that is designed to fit you and only you, that is a wonderful feeling, with a SWK if you just use it as a test case for getting a real tank down the line, you will not spend as much to test the tank theory. I mean no offense to SWK here, but it will not fit as well as the USA Kilt, but it is not meant to, have the fits like it was made for you feel, of course the cost is much lower as well.

When I went through this the recommendation was to get the tank and you won´t regret it and I am sure I won´t, I just wanted to throw in another option. If you are looking for the craftmanship an not necessarily a tartan don´t forget RKilts and Freedom kilts, they are after all the tank of contemporary kilts.

Thanks for reading this far I hope it all made sense and was not too far off topic. The Sabres did play tonight so I have had a few, I did drink less beer than the Sabres scored goals though (9-1)

[bubba]

You could get a kilted skirt made to the length you want or get a mans tank, makes no nevermind to me. When to wear it, any time you want to look nice, not just major dress up occassions. Wear it with a nice blouse or shirt and there are some very nice ladies jackets that would work nicely. Ladies suit type jackets are cut much shorter than mens jackets so no mods should be needed. The Stillwater alternative is there as has been mentioned in case you really aren't sure about spending the money on a custom tank. Whatever you decide, do it and revel in it.