Apron opening to the left? Can it be reversed?

[gwynng]

I recently saw a really nice looking kilt that a local guy is selling, and was almost ready to fork out a little cash, but then noticed it had the apron fringe and flap on the left. Now I have heard that that is the indication of a woman's kilt, but Barb T. says all kilts (regardless of gender of wearer) open with the fringe on the right. The killer part is this kilt is pretty much to my exact measurements and not big in the seat/hips, so really seems more cut for a man.

Can the aprons be reversed without too much ado? Would you just reverse and forgo the fringe, or try to move the little fringe thingy behind the front apron. Any experience out there?

[Oberu]

I'm afraid that if it's a traditionally made kilt that the pleats will have been cut to decrease the bulk made at the waist which would be a serious chore to fix. I'm not expert but I think that if it could be done it would be a real "trial". On a high note.. so what if it falls to the left!? I mean.. someone who knows might point it out but if the rig looks nice and the price is right... I wish you luck mate

[Clockwork]

An interesting find indeed. Maybe it was made under the same concept of left-handed scissors or left-handed pens; not really something that is necessary, but something that might appeal to the lefty crowd just for the sake of existing? I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in. In the mean time, have you tried searching the forums for this kind of thing? I would be surprised if this hasn't come up before.

Cheers,
-Jake

[Chas]

Any thing can be done, but it might come down to ' not worth the effort doing'. It is not just the fringe, it is also the straps and buckles are all on the wrong sides.

regards

Chas

[Friday]

Can you show us pictures? From other threads it is not uncommon to have the apron and under apron reversed if the apron has become worn or soiled. The biggest issue is closing the strap hole for the under apron and moving it to the other side.

A similar question was raised in this thread:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f116/questions-pics-my-new-seaforth-box-75300/

It might give you some information.

[Spartan Tartan]

It has been mentioned here before where people find kilts that open the opposite direction. I will admit, I can't imagine why a kilt would be made that way if not by specific direction of the original owner. I'd bet there is a good story in that kilt. You could just leave it as is... It would be quite the conversation point, don't you think?

[artificer]

There is always the possibility that this is a VERY vintage kilt and that the under apron was damaged, so the whole mess was reversed. We've seen a few pictographic examples of rather influential Scots (and rather thrifty buggers) who are wearing examples of same.

ith:

[madmacs]

You might want to shoot Bonnie Heather Greene (bonniekilts.com) an email... She seems to do a number of rebuilds and would likely be able to give you an idea...

I'm tired, but I cant think why the pleats would be an issue...

[Mikilt]

IMHO, it's probably how it was intended to be. Even if it is backward. I'm afraid the only thing that's going to make that kilt look right is a mirror.

Sorry.

[flyrod6057]

In a word: No. It can't be done. If the Kilt was made...backwards...then the pleats are all facing the wrong direction, and you can't fix that without COMPLETELY disassembling and literally remaking the kilt. Could you just swap the inner and outer smocks around? Well, with a bit of stitching, you could. Still, I don't know if it would pass muster.

Just my $.02