Proabably stepping in it....but...

**arrogcow** · 3rd October 05, 07:45 AM

I have to agree that I'm not thrilled by women wearing kilts (of any kind). I feel it makes it harder for me to explain that I am wearing mens clothing.

Now having said that, two weeks ago, I was selling UK's at a Celtic festival. Included, for some reason, was a 14" micro mini. I spent all day trying to get women to try it on (never succeded).

Adam

**Alan H** · 3rd October 05, 08:00 AM

You know, I've nver actually seen a woman in a kilt. Then again, I've not seen, outside of our recent X Marks gathering and the Highland Games, more than two other guys in kilts on the street at all. Certainly I've never spotted a woman in a kilt.

Did you know that the pleated wraparound skirts that girls/women wear for playing field hockey in are called "kilts"? If you search ebay for "tartan kilt" you will discover that half the listings are for kilt skirts and whatnot for women, rather than men.

I think the battle for the term "kilt" as applying ONLY for men, is lost already. So I suppose I'd opt for making it clear that kilts are PRIMARILY for men, and consider it good.

**KiltedBishop** · 3rd October 05, 08:27 AM

I know we can't win...we can never win against the women. LOL

Everyone made good points, and I am glad to know I am not the only one. It's not even the term so much as the notion. oh well...thanks for letting me vent...

*steps off soap box* Next...

**davedove** · 3rd October 05, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

I think the battle for the term "kilt" as applying ONLY for men, is lost already. So I suppose I'd opt for making it clear that kilts are PRIMARILY for men, and consider it good.

You're probably right Alan. Instead, we should just focus on kilts being acceptable everyday wear for men. Marketing wise, we would probably end up with men's kilts and women's kilts, just as we have with jeans and such.

**Archangel** · 3rd October 05, 11:55 AM

just to throw more gasoline on the fire....

it's like a t-shirt, doesn't matter that it's not designed specifically for male/female, Pamela makes a t-shirt feminine, Arnold makes it masculine.

Saw a guy in the whole highland regalia, feathers and all, some kind of chief, really. Looked like the wicked witch done up, sorry. Not masculine at all, Miss Marple looked more he-man.

Women in kilts don't bother me in the slightest, although they can be a distraction. That's a different problem, and mine, not theirs.

**Wompet** · 3rd October 05, 12:22 PM

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but from what reference materials and highland dress I've seen, a kilt has two buckles on the right and one on the left, but a tartan skirt had two on the left and one one the right, similar to how men's shirts and pants are buttoned opposite women's blouses and pants.

Now, it shouldn't be that difficult to switch the second strap right to left, should it? A very simple alteration (I'm leaving out the direction of the pleats, because I can't recall of the top of my head). Men's kilt one way, tartan skirt the other. Just a thought.

**Eujeankilt** · 3rd October 05, 01:57 PM

It doesn't bother me that women wear kilts, it's just that I remember that Utilikilts are made specifically for men and advertised that way. Like KiltedBishop said, I remember seeing or hearing something from Steven Villeagas (sp) to the effect that his kilts are a men's garment and that would never change.

It would be like putting a cross-dressing male in the Victoria's Secret catalog. Everyone is entitled to wear what they want, but UK made a point of marketing to men. It's the inconsistency.

Dale

**Hamish** · 3rd October 05, 04:02 PM

I raised this very point on the Utilikilts forum about four years ago, maybe longer, and was practically shouted off the 'premises'. Personally, I don't think Utilikilts (in particular) look 'right' on women anyway, at least not on feminine women.

As for our traditional kilts being worn by women: no, no and no again! Even in pipe bands. If a male soldier finds himself in a women's army band, is he expected to wear a skirt? No, of course not. So why should women pipers in a mostly male pipe band wear a male uniform? Utter nonsense!

**Graham** · 3rd October 05, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Wompet

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but from what reference materials and highland dress I've seen, a kilt has two buckles on the right and one on the left, but a tartan skirt had two on the left and one one the right, similar to how men's shirts and pants are buttoned opposite women's blouses and pants.

Now, it shouldn't be that difficult to switch the second strap right to left, should it? A very simple alteration (I'm leaving out the direction of the pleats, because I can't recall of the top of my head). Men's kilt one way, tartan skirt the other. Just a thought.

that's true and a good point. I think Pipe bands should adopt that one concession at the very least!

**Iolanthe** · 3rd October 05, 04:47 PM

Hmm. I wouldn't even think of wearing a kilt. It doesn't bother me to see other women wearing kilts, but I personally would feel odd wearing one. Men wear kilts, women wear skirts... I don't see why a woman would want to wear one when there are endless styles of skirts to choose from.

Besides, we really ought to leave you men something of your own.

Ione