Really!

The distinctions are blurred today-but the actuality is that the 'dress tartan' tends to be brighter and so more suitable for formal/evening wear.

Whilst the more sombre hunting is a practical sombre garment more suitable for day/hunting wear.

To refer to a dress tartan as being for the ladies, or girly is entirely wrong.

As is the assumption that it has much white 'arisaid': my own dress tartan has no white at all.

Being brighter it lends itself to dancing/parties etc, and so will be adopted for such activities by those who otherwise might not wear the kilt: but that does not diminish in the least it's being a tartan to be worn by men.

James