Please tell me if I'm being told lies by my bad bf......

**LeeAnne** · 30th January 12, 01:01 PM

OK so this weekend we're off to a ceilidh and rather than wear my jeans I've decided to wear a kilt. Two questions:

1. Is a girl's kilt a kilt? Officially, I mean? Or is it just a tartan skirt?
2. According to my man (this is the bit I'm thinking he's kidding) I should join him in wearing it 'traditionally'

(ahem). He's kidding, right? I'm not Scottish! And it's a guy thing... surely??

**tulloch** · 30th January 12, 01:05 PM

1. Yes, if a girl wears it it is still a kilt.

2. Just forget that. It is more myth than fact. It is more risk than its worth. Find a nice sporran that reflects your style and holds down your front. Dark underwear blends in the shadows should something fling up.

**piperdbh** · 30th January 12, 01:06 PM

A girl's kilt is a kilt if it's kilted.
No, you shouldn't join him in such carryings-on, and neither should he.

There. I said it.

**Tobus** · 30th January 12, 01:24 PM

1. Oh, that's a Pandora's Box! Whilst I'm sure most folks will say that a kilt is a kilt whether worn by a man or a woman, it's also true that the kilt is traditionally a male's garment. It's been worn by females for at least a generation or two now, though, so apparently it has been redefined as a unisex garment. In short, though, you'll find no solid agreement on the definition of "kilt", and it'll only be arguments trying to get one!

2. It's truly up to you. How much do you like him?

**ForresterModern** · 30th January 12, 01:31 PM

A kilt is a kilt, men's or women's has the front apron from the left over the underapron from the right, so the front apron fringe is along your right front apron edge. Both theoretically should come to about the top to middle of the knee cap. Women's tartan skirts are typically a different length, either shorter or longer by several inches, and typically close right over left if built in the kilt style (opposite from a standard kilt).

Regimental is a personal choice and by no means mandatory. Personally (actually this is more Wife's concern, but I concur) I sincerely hope that any kilted friends who might visit my home and utilize the furniture, would be considerate enough to NOT go regimental on our "good" furniture. Hmmm, might have to wait until spring or summer to have an outdoor porch party kilt night at my house.

Interestingly, when someone snidely calls my kilt a skirt (especially when I am wearing it) my response is that "if I was wearing women's panties then it would be a skirt", but as I described above that is not entirely true, but you get the gist.

Kilt on.

jeff

**Guinness>water** · 30th January 12, 01:32 PM

1) If my wife were to wear one, I would ask her to refer to it as a kilted skirt.

2) Wear it traditionally? Absolutely! Freeeeeedom!!!!!!

3) I would recommend leaving the sporran to your feller. I think sporrans look horrible on ladies. Just my opinion though.

**Ryan Ross** · 30th January 12, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

1. Oh, that's a Pandora's Box! Whilst I'm sure most folks will say that a kilt is a kilt whether worn by a man or a woman, it's also true that the kilt is traditionally a male's garment. It's been worn by females for at least a generation or two now, though, so apparently it has been redefined as a unisex garment. In short, though, you'll find no solid agreement on the definition of "kilt", and it'll only be arguments trying to get one!

Originally Posted by Guinness>water

1) If my wife were to wear one, I would ask her to refer to it as a kilted skirt.

1. Bravo to the gents above. The bottom line is that a kilt is a male garment, properly speaking. Do women wear them now? Certainly. When women wear them with kilt hose and a sporran, do they look to me like crossdressers? Usually, yes.

So the moral is- If you wear a kilt, make sure you accessorize it like a girl.

2. Wear undies. How shall I put this... Women have... considerations... down there that men do not. Protect your tartan and wear knickers.

**thescot** · 31st January 12, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Guinness>water

1) If my wife were to wear one, I would ask her to refer to it as a kilted skirt.

2) Wear it traditionally? Absolutely! Freeeeeedom!!!!!!

3) I would recommend leaving the sporran to your feller. I think sporrans look horrible on ladies. Just my opinion though.

All I can say is, "Ditto."

If you haven't yet noticed, women and men almost always have a much greater diference between the measure of the circumference of the waist and the measure of the hips. Men often have only a very few inches difference, but it's not unusual for women to have 10 inches or even more. That means that the fell of a true kilt tends to make a lady's shape appear, je ne sais quoi, odd! Yes, a woman can wear a kilt, but a kilted skirt looks much better on the female frame. Of course, you can make the fell fit the more generous hips of a woman, but the effect really looks odd because the sett cannot be maintained.

I don't want my wife to wear a kilt unless she takes up the bagpipes and marches in a band (in which case a kilt would be appropriate). But I am for a kilted, i.e., pleated wrap skirt. Vive la difference! A skirt shows her shapeliness; a kilt would mask it. For similar reasons, I wouldn't want my wife wearing one of my business suits, it's just not cut for a woman's figure.

And a sporran if totally unnecessary for a lady. A sporran-like puse would be nice, but I wouldn't wear it around my waist if I were you. Tends to detract from the figure I mentioned earlier.

Going regimental is alays a personal choice whether kilted or no, and it is best left to you to decide. I can understand his urging you to do so, but it has little to do with requirements of being kilted.

**mookien** · 30th January 12, 01:38 PM

Tobus: You naughty boy!

LeeAnne: According to Kathy Lare, a renown kilt maker, ...

"Ladies Kilted Skirts are becoming more popular and yes kilts can be worn by women! There are several types of kilted skirts. Some have more yardage to give the appearance of a deep pleat and they can vary from any length from mini skirt to hostess, or floor length. A lady can also wear a full 8 yard kilt, remember there have been lady pipers for generations, although being a piper is not a requirement to wear a full kilt."

For details, see

http://kathyskilts.com/

My opinion on regimentality is "piperdbh's ***"

Whatever your decisions, have a good time!

**Ravelyn** · 30th January 12, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

LeeAnne: According to Kathy Lare, a renown kilt maker, ...

I hope I won't come across as a smart a__ if I offer a small, friendly correction (with, believe me, the best of intentions). It's only because I see the word "renown" misused quite a bit. "Renown" is, as the sound might imply, a noun. The adjective form is "renowned." Thus, one could say "a kilt maker of renown," or "a renowned kilt maker."

As for the original question, I side with those who hold that a kilt is a kilt, whomever wears it. If I was ever to get drunk enough to put on a dress (Heaven forbid), I expect everyone unfortunate enough to see me would still call it a dress, not a toga.