Girl question

**MacLowlife** · 21st February 12, 06:14 PM

May I suggest a fun pair of underwear instead of regimental? If it is going to be one of those nights, well...

I do not know anything about your shape, but some female forms are flattered more by the traditional kilt than others. The big deal is what happens when waist flares to hips. Next is how long-waisted you are. By modern standards, a kilt rides pretty high. If you are shaped like the original St Pauli Girl, it might work pulled up above your navel, which is about where it is designed to go. Depending on your budget, it is possible to shorten a kilt. Look around the site for advice on that. Just bear in mind that the sewn part of the pleats has a definite right and wrong place to end. If you sling it low, more than the hemline may be off.

You haven't mentioned your footwear, other than to say it won't be heels or girly flats. Can you stash your smokes/ phone in your sock?

When you start looking for jackets, don't restrict yourself to highland wear- there are a lot of good looking short jackets that will work with your look, including a classic motorcycle jacket, and you will have those pockets, too.

**sydnie7** · 21st February 12, 06:48 PM

I seem to recall some discussion of historical (painting) evidence supporting the idea of belt loops on a great kilt. Matt Newcome and Bugbear are the names that come to mind in terms of who was discussing it, but I could be completely wrong.

**Cathy McWilliams** · 21st February 12, 06:49 PM

to thorina
on permanently sewing down the pleats in a great kilt: lay the kilt out and once you have adjusted the pleats to where you want them to be, pin them down on the inside or tack them in place (tailor tack is good). Carefully turn the great over and sew on narrow belt loops on the outside.

Cathy Mac

**Bugbear** · 21st February 12, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

I seem to recall some discussion of historical (painting) evidence supporting the idea of belt loops on a great kilt. Matt Newcome and Bugbear are the names that come to mind in terms of who was discussing it, but I could be completely wrong.

The drawstring, perhaps?
Matt Newsome does have an article about that on his site, but I don't have a link handy.

**Thorina** · 21st February 12, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

May I suggest a fun pair of underwear instead of regimental? If it is going to be one of those nights, well...

I do not know anything about your shape, but some female forms are flattered more by the traditional kilt than others. The big deal is what happens when waist flares to hips. Next is how long-waisted you are. By modern standards, a kilt rides pretty high. If you are shaped like the original St Pauli Girl, it might work pulled up above your navel, which is about where it is designed to go. Depending on your budget, it is possible to shorten a kilt. Look around the site for advice on that. Just bear in mind that the sewn part of the pleats has a definite right and wrong place to end. If you sling it low, more than the hemline may be off.

You haven't mentioned your footwear, other than to say it won't be heels or girly flats. Can you stash your smokes/ phone in your sock?

When you start looking for jackets, don't restrict yourself to highland wear- there are a lot of good looking short jackets that will work with your look, including a classic motorcycle jacket, and you will have those pockets, too.

This is not an event I will be going regimental as there is SURE to be kilt lifting involved, especially as the evening progesses. We're staying at a hotel within cab distance, therefore there's no real need to try to keep to my feet so much.
It would not be proper in any way shape or form for me to go regimental to this event. A "flash" from a guy and a "flash" from a female are two ENTIRELY different things.

In the words of my father, I am built like a "brick s**thouse". I'm on the heavy side right now due to lack of training in the past year, due to the achilles injury. Even thin and in race ready shape, I am still not dainty. At all.
I have nothing even remotely close to what could be considered an hour glass figure. I am basically built like a chubby teen aged boy with boobs, at the moment.
I fit far better in mens pants than ones built for women's curves. Same goes for a blazer/jacket. I have to get a women's jacket so large to fit my shoulders, that generally the rest is gigantic.

Footwear....well....that's pretty much what got me going on wearing a kilt.
I wear this everyday:

*danty*, huh? LOL I affectionally call it my bionic leg. Just like "what do you wear under your kilt".....same never ending question....yes, the dang thing is heavy. It often squeeks, especially in the rain, and it sounds as though I have dull spurs on when I walk. I can't sneak up on anyone....Helen Keller could hear me coming.

So wearing any sort of dress up type dress....just, um no. Looks ridiculous, to say the very least. Even a floor length dress looks....well looks like I am in a ball gown in combat boots. I'm odd, but not that odd that I'd feel right dressed like that at all.

Normally at an event like this I would go in either "industry black dickies", crisp crease, a polo shirt, a blazer (with some sort of "manish" type shoe), or "evening" business attire, kneeish length skirt, flouncy blouse, blaizer with flats or heels, generally heels....or a calf length dress with heels or flats, flats only if nurisng an injury.

Anyway, I decided to go about it a different way, yet still feel more dressed up than "industry dickies". Since this is an "Irish" event, and so close to St Paddy's day, Irish tartan kilts, from the very cheap and cheesy looking to the very well made are ALL over the place. I've been a Shamrock Club member for well over a decade, I usually have a little Irish in me....just don't tell my German boyfriend.

If I feel comfortable like this, it's very likely I will make or have made a nice kilt in a proper Hamilton tartan, and done fairly tradition male "highland" dress, with some sort of feminine touch/flare. I would have a proper jacket made for me that fits well.
The bionic leg isn't going away any time soon.
I have 2 choices....try to hide it....or run with it, figuratively speaking.
Wearing panty hose is also out of the question, as I'd chaffe my leg terrible from the strap. So, some sort of sock is neccessary.

**Thorina** · 21st February 12, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

The drawstring, perhaps?
Matt Newsome does have an article about that on his site, but I don't have a link handy.

I was thinking of making a Scottish Trials specific great kilt. Nice crisp pleats, figure out where to pleat the upper section, etc....so all you'd have to do is grab the belt and put it on. Very crisp and tidy for a "gentleman's sport".
A "formal" great kilt, if you will.

But done in such a way as to *not* interfer greatly with the vast utilitarian nature of a great kilt. I'd still want to be able to untuck it and use it as a hood or cloak. It can get chilly waiting for your turn at a section.

**MacLowlife** · 22nd February 12, 05:57 AM

I would second the advice above about a great kilt with permanent pleats and a drawstring or belt loops. AND, if you are clever ( and I am sure you are) you might modify your great kilt a little by making simple pockets in each end- all four corners, maybe. It wouldn't be practical with really heavy material, but a simple overlap of, say 8 inches, folded over and stitched, would make a handy pocket in the aprons and in the upper portion as well. The trick would be locating the access slot and making sure the pocket was small enough not to lose things.

I think you can find plenty of examples of ladies wearing something feminine with a regular kilt. It sounds as if your present shape will do nicely with a traditional little kilt. You can choose from flounces, ruffles, lace, body hugging knits, etc. But I'd still think about that leather jacket to top it off.

As for the bionic leg, look carefully at the banner artwork above and be sure to note the neoprene knee brace.

**Kinetikat** · 22nd February 12, 06:53 AM

Thorina! Ma sorella! Well, OK, unlikely to be actual sisters, to be sure (a little matter of a pond between us for starters), but hey, I identify totally with the body shape! My darling Dad has also uttered the immortal words, "Built like a brick lavatory" about me when in untactful mood. And I have to say... alas, 'tis true. Even when slimmed right down I have no waist to speak of - I have a very short-coupled body, my ribcage finishes approximately 2 inches above my hip-bone, so my body shape is... well, pretty much rectangular! Think Spongebob Squarepants in a kilt... heh.

Looking at it a bit more positively, I think ours is a body type that is well set up for Heavy Athletics - strongly-built upper body, slimmish hips, strongly-built legs. I find thinking "Xena: Warrior Princess" rather than "brick sh*thouse" when looking in the mirror is kinder on the morale, and just as 'realistic'!

**tundramanq** · 22nd February 12, 07:17 AM

Personally, I much prefer gals without the wasp waist, big bottom look going on. It isn't a healthy, athletic or attractive look here. I like to do things with people, not sitting around posing. The prostetic is a badge of honor earned by doing something - not parked on a couch.