Traditional female wear????

[creagdhubh]

Footwear? That has me confused as well, what do I put on my feet????
I'm definitely not going to be buying anything this month (student loans, trying to make sure I get the right Fraser Tartan)

I would suggest what you typically wear (Not so sure about trainers though, unless of course you are participating in athletics)!

[MacFhearchair]

Whatever you want. Since "Women in Kilts" is sort-of virgin earth, there are a lot of options and lots of room for exploration/development.

I find I like to wear a simple, business-like black heel (sort of a low boot) - or maybe my higher black motorcycle boots if my look is a bit more rugged. Sometimes I wear wool hose, sometimes I wear... other things. I wear tartan flashes or none at all (I don't have any solid colored ones). You might decide you want to go full-on and get a pair of ghillies, and there are many options available in that category alone.

Some people are very prescriptivist about kilt-wearing, but most will agree that unless you're actively being disrespectful, whatever you do is fine. I mean - the kilt doesn't have origins anything LIKE its highly-polished and formalized present-day version. It's a versatile garment, so (for the most part) find what looks good to you and rock it.

[Pleater]

Footwear - for me that would be covered by black sandals, black shoes, black short boots, red short boots - no heels, trainers as appropriate (I have blue and white ones and brown ones).

When dancing in public there is no option - underwear should be worn. In private - how well do you know the rest of the company and how far would you trust them with a camera?

I don't go to many posh places but if I did I'd probably wear a long kilt, a blouse with a lot of lace, tights and velvet or satin slippers, possibly a bolero type jacket with almost long sleeves, and take a long plaid as a coat, unless the weather was very bad when I would dig out the cloak with hood and cape, and some sensible footwear.

What most distinguishes the kilt is it's quality - so much of what women are expected to wear is thin, skimpy, shoddy, badly cut and then sewn together with the narrowest of seams. Just to wear a garment which is made from extravagant quantities of really good material is a treat for anyone, and whilst it can be perfectly well worn with a plain tee shirt something more formal just demands it be worn with lace, ruching - maybe a bit of delicate embroidery, lace, pearl buttons, silver cuff-links, lace, something sparkly at the throat - maybe in silk - and that's just for the men.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[seasaidhlinne]

I think I plan on keeping my underwear on. In fact I often wear shorts underneath my skirts to avoid chafing......
I kind of hoped the whole "No underwear under the kilt" was a myth.

[artificer]

I think I plan on keeping my underwear on. In fact I often wear shorts underneath my skirts to avoid chafing......
I kind of hoped the whole "No underwear under the kilt" was a myth.

Not a myth so much as a lack of understanding about clothing of the age.
Shirts had much longer tails (almost like a modern nightshirt) and frequently did duty both as your base layer on top AND bottom.

Today you can wear (or not) as you choose, there are no laws.

ith:

[neloon]

I kind of hoped the whole "No underwear under the kilt" was a myth.

Indeed it was and is, a' Sheasaidh. "Con" might be a better word, but, yes, some people are very gullible and just like myths!
Alan

[AJBryant]

Indeed it was and is, a' Sheasaidh. "Con" might be a better word, but, yes, some people are very gullible and just like myths!

And some of us just like to kid. Ahem.

Tony

[ronin6290]

I'm always astonished how cheaply wool tartan skirts go for on Ebay. Happy hunting no matter how you wish to proceed. The joy is in the journey.

[Mike_Oettle]

Jessie, I hope you do find the right Fraser tartan. But while there are several variations on the main clan tartan, they are mostly a minor question of shade, rather than a completely different tartan.
While there are special versions for different branches of the clan, of which Fraser of Lovat is probably the largest, you should be all right using the main sett.
Searching on the Scottish Register of Tartans I found a confusing range of different setts, but when I had a look at Scotweb’s selection of Fraser tartans, I found a more rational arrangement.
If you are looking for a dancer’s tartan, there are more possibilities that come into play – there is a Fraser Arisaid Red, a Fraser Arisaid Green, and a Fraser Arisaid Wine/Blue, as well as Fraser Hunting Dress and Fraser Gathering Dress.
The three Fraser Gathering setts were brought out to publicise a great clan get-together. They are probably valid clan tartans, but not the main sett.
But you should be all right if you go for what Scotweb calls Fraser or Fraser Old. For my liking the brightest colours they show are the best, especially for a woman to wear. It has become quite fashionable among male kilt-wearers to go for weathered, reproduction or muted shades, but I don’t think you need bother about that.
If you are looking for something completely different, there is also Fraser Yellow, but this does not seem to be generally obtainable, and should perhaps be avoided on the grounds of high cost.
Regards,
Mike

[Mike_Oettle]

Regarding wearing the kilt “regimentally”, Neloon has this to say: “Soldiers in regiments are not bound by so-called regimental ‘traditions’ so why on earth should women be?”

Neloon and I have crossed swords over this issue before. All I can say is that in my regiment, the no underpants rule was rigidly enforced.
But as he says, why should women come under this rule? – especially if they are civilians. What you wear under your piece of tartan is your affair entirely.
Regards,
Mike