Sad to say the last time I wore a proper kilt I was about 6 and it was the mid 70s (it was very cute, I remember being thrilled with the wee sporran that went with it), but since then I've worn checked fabrics only in their Iron Age form as part of some Romano British re-enactment I do occasionally, and as a rather beautiful green length earmarked for an Arisaid for an eighteenth century outfit I have planned when I eventually fit it into my sewing schedule.

I'd quite like a 'modern' kilt, but I'm a bit afraid of looking frumpy, having reached that delicate age where I'm definately not young and skinny enough to wear absolutely anything regardless, nor yet nearly grown up enough to go for the twinset and pearls well groomed effect. Sadly, I find that on women tartan can make one look a bit lumpy unless the cut is right for the figure.

I'm a decent seamstress, happy to tackle advanced projects, but I need some inspiration for styles that look good on a tall but very slightly squashy figure. I'm thinking of going for the family tartan (Mackinlay), which is predominantly blue and green, so quite a flattering colour combination.

Any ideas? What looks fab on the ladies of this forum?