Ladies- do you wear "male" kilts or kilts made specially for women?

[Pleater]

As I make my kilts it's a bit academic as what exactly they might be defined as.

Kilts are not fastened on the left for women - at least not in the UK - I have found knitting patterns and a few old black and white films where women are wearing various sorts of kilt and they are all, without exception, fastened on the right.

The kilts I had as a child fastened on the right - so like the kimono, if it is a kilt, it wraps left over right.

I make reverse Kingussie style kilts and do not sew down the fell, so I would expect that anyone with about the same waist size as myself could put on one of my kilts and it would fit. I make them various lengths - it seems a shame not to use up the material if it is good stuff, so 24 inches or longer.

I suspect that the wars were one reason for the right side fastening - if you could get your hands on a kilt then you would wear it, as long as it could be fitted around you.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Julia Elliott]

I havent made it yet, but i do have a pattern to make a short wrap skirt, which will be made using either Nova Scotia tartan, or Elliott Tartan, or heck, maybe one of each. So it will be "Kilt-ish". For myself I wouldnt wear a traditonal kilt, because i am petite and think the pleats would be a bit overwhelming. However, i have attended many events around here where i have seen women wearing both "mens" kilts and kilts with a more feminine fit. I think they all look great, and i think the key is, most people know what looks good on their body type and suits their own personality . I think as long as you stick to whatever makes you comfortable you will no doubt rock it.

[sydnie7]

I'm struggling with this question right now. I have several lengths of tartan that I'd like to make up for myself, but what to do? Have always had a definite pear shape, proportions do not change regardless of weight. So with the widest part of body below the fell, pleats are problematic. . . But so tempting. Rather than try such a drastic taper, I'm considering a bias-cut skirt yoke with pleats falling from that. It will be done up first in some "trade" tartan from the old Kirkbright remnants site, just to see how it looks. Right after I finish knitting hose for grandniece Ginger, who totally rocks her traditionally made Navy Edzell kilt!

[Angela Kaye Bodine]

Thank you Tarheel ! I found it ....Angie...must of been blind lol

[Elizabeth]

I'm struggling with this question right now. I have several lengths of tartan that I'd like to make up for myself, but what to do? Have always had a definite pear shape, proportions do not change regardless of weight. So with the widest part of body below the fell, pleats are problematic. . . But so tempting. Rather than try such a drastic taper, I'm considering a bias-cut skirt yoke with pleats falling from that. It will be done up first in some "trade" tartan from the old Kirkbright remnants site, just to see how it looks. Right after I finish knitting hose for grandniece Ginger, who totally rocks her traditionally made Navy Edzell kilt!

Sidney, I remember we spoke about that at Costa Mesa. I am interested in the "billie kilt" idea as well. I have a 10-11 inch difference between waist and hip. I tried some sample pleating on the unknown tartan I have and that taper is pretty drastic! If you try the yoke method be sure to post about it. It will be a while before I get to actually using the fabric... I have to finish a historical outfit first.

As for

[Elizabeth]

As for the men or woman kilt. I have a Stumptown woman's kilt, which of course is very modern. I love it, it's comfortable and easy to care for. I also have a couple kilted skirts that are not my favorites, they were bought second hand years ago and have shrank ;). I recently tried on a 4 yard kilt I impulsively purchased on ebay... it fits me pretty well even though it appears to be a men's garment. It slightly shower curtains, which I think means it's actually too big in the hip?

If money was no object having a kilt custom made for me by one of the makers here would be the best option but finances won't allow that now.

[Liam]

It is my experience that women will defy convention, and wear what ever they choose to, and we males will admire them.
With respect and admiration to all women, regardless of whether they choose to buckle up on the left or the right.

[bonnie heather]

The first kilt I made was for myself, and my teacher said to make it the same way as for a man's kilt. So I learned to make kilts fastened on the right. Most highland dancers these days are female and their dance kilts fasten on the right. But if a lady wants hers to be fastened on the left, I can make it that way.

The thing that I feel makes a big difference in kilts for ladies, is that it looks and feels better if the rise is not as high as the usual 2" rise on a man's kilt. That's too bulky for me. I prefer them to have minimal rise (1") or have the strap at waist level. When I make highland dance kilts, I place the back canvas to come up just to the waist stabilizer and not continue up on the rise. That way it's not as bulky.

[Angela Kaye Bodine]

Bonnie, I love your kilts you have done for me, what you do and so many others do is Art Work and I love them.. Im use to the buckle on my right and its easier being a righty.. it doesn't matter to me what side I wear them because I love them, they also give me a more flattering figure...and my husband likes them on me too.. Thank you again Bonnie I love all my kilts that you have done for me...Angie

[Katia]

When we say "women's kilts," are we taking about a full-yardage kilt with a cut to better fit a woman's shape (usually more of a tapered waist rather than straight-up-and-down), or what I've seen called a "kilted skirt"-- pleats not very deep, not with the yardage (and not always with the sett replicated across the back)?