Women in Kilts?

**Tim Walker** · 30th January 07, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Kid Cossack

Can't we all just get along? No, seriously, folks, I like the way the discussion has been going. Although this is obviously a question that people feel very strongly about, I think that to this point we've all managed to convey our feelings without diverting into flame wars. I've been eyeing this thread, and wondering when it would disappear! More power to the good folk here, and how we're sharing our opinions . . . without a lockdown!

Without going into the "kilt vice kilted skirt" issue (which Matt and Nanook have addressed), "Why would a woman want to wear a kilt?" Well, I think I might know. I have flabbergasted women with the pleating in a kilt. One woman asked me (really quite nicely) why I was wearing a "skirt." (She was not being derogatory, she just didn't know it was a kilt.) I sat on a park bench and spread my legs, with the sporran draping down to hold the aprons in place (I'm nae a flasher, laddies!). "That's why," says I. It (the kilt) is not only wicked pretty, but also an ENTIRELY FUNCTIONAL PIECE OF CLOTHING.

"Oh," said the lady. "I don't own a skirt that has that much legroom."

All the best,

Kid Cossack

Bravehearts' Kilt Forum has an analysis of womens' skirts. To summarize, those garments are impractical. Designed to display feminine sexualality.

No wonder women have (mostly) switched to trousers!

**Panache** · 30th January 07, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Kid Cossack

... One woman asked me (really quite nicely) why I was wearing a "skirt." (She was not being derogatory, she just didn't know it was a kilt.) ...

Last year I was introduced at my son's kindergarten to a very nice lady who was from the middle east. She was speaking with the children about Persian culture and was wearing a traditional outfit. She looked at my kilted outfit (a SWK Hunting Mcleod as I recall) and smiled approvingly and said that it was a very handsome skirt. I took the compliment for what is was, a sincere compliment. I did mention that it was of Scottish origin and called a kilt. The teacher thought is was great to have the children exposed to two different cultures at the same time.

As I have mentioned this previously on other threads, for kilts to continue on and thrive as a legitimate fashion, they must evolve. As they evolve and move forward it expands the whole concept of kilts as a whole. That means the modern variants flourish and some who are attracted to them eventually wind up with traditional kilts. As for the ladies. How could women wearing kilts promote kilting? Well Madonna wore a kilt on one of her recent tours along with some of her performers. If you check out the USA kilts site you will see that RockyR. and crew supplied them! Think of how many thousands of people who may never have thought to wear a kilt were exposed to them via her on that tour. Bully for you Madonna (and for the record "Get into the Groove" is still a great song!) If you read Matt Newsome's blog* you will find that the traditional 8 yard "tank" is a relatively modern invention. As kilts have been worn through the centuries they have evolved. I sincerely hope they continue to. I would hate to see this wonderful garment reduced to a period costume.

So, and in keeping with the spirit and rules of this forum, I say again to you ladies out there who don your kilts with pride.

BULLY FOR YOU!

Cheers

* And you really, really should! As a matter of fact go there right now!

**Kid Cossack** · 30th January 07, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Tim Walker

Bravehearts' Kilt Forum has an analysis of womens' skirts. To summarize, those garments are impractical. Designed to display feminine sexualality.

No wonder women have (mostly) switched to trousers!

Tim:

I'd agree there! Personally, I'm kind of odd. I find strength and independence to be TREMENDOUSLY sexy. Watching women hobbled by their tight skirts just seems . . . impractical. A long running argument between the Better Half and the Worse Half (that would be, respectively, Mrs. Kid Cossack and Mr. Kid Cossack!) exists over pretty but uncomfortable shoes. I maintain that an uncomfortable shoe CAN NOT be pretty, since it makes you uncomfortable, and "comfortable is pretty."

**Tim Walker** · 30th January 07, 11:44 AM

Two reasons for kilting:

1. Comfort

2. Practicality

We shouldn't be surprised if women respond to this. What alternatives do women have?

**Moosedog** · 30th January 07, 02:16 PM

I just wanted to say that I, too, have enjoyed hearing lots of different viewpoints...and I especially appreciate the calm and respectful tone of all the discussion. Thanks for welcoming me into the rabble!

Moosedog

**McClef** · 30th January 07, 02:23 PM

I have seen pictures of many pipe bands with lady pipers in kilts and identical uniform accessories to the men.

There are ladies Highland dancing competitions in kilts, the dancing ladies wear different accessories though to the men.

So it could be that in some circumstances at least, female wearing of kilts is accepted.

**SnakeEyes** · 30th January 07, 03:15 PM

Well I've spoken to my friend, lets call her the one who started this whole discussion...

She says the main reason she wants to wear the kilt is because she is built like a man, which is something I can attest to. She is also a devout follower of the Mormon faith, so wearing a kilted-mini isn't really an option for her, but she hates wearing the kilted skirts that go past her knees.

Thats the word from her, anyways.

**katmills2005** · 30th January 07, 03:31 PM

However, the individuals that already think you are wearing women's clothing are always going to think you are wearing women's clothing, whether the woman with you is in a kilt or no. There's not going to be any change to that mind-set, that I can see. We can't fix stupid, no matter how hard we try.

No you can't fix stupid any more than we can change another's opinion. However we can attempt to educate those unfortunate folks who don't know any better.

Kilted skirts are either overly short or overly prim. Neither would be flattering to me. I'm not saying I want to go out and wear a man's kilt but I will say that if I choose to that choice is mine. I would not expect anyone knowledgeable on this topic to reticule me or demean my right to wear a garment steeped in my own heritage.

We shouldn't be surprised if women respond to this. What alternatives do women have?

Pantyhose... that god aweful garment created by men to torment women. (just kidding guys)

**IEScotsman** · 30th January 07, 03:44 PM

Maybe I've lost sight of the friend's objective. Am I correct that she wants to wear a man's traditional kilt for reasons of comfort?

If that is the case, then we are talking about something that must be custom made. So if she is already willing to pay for a custom made garment, why not get a custom-made kilted skirt? Same tartan. Same (or even less cost). Custom tailored not just to a woman, but to HER! Wouldn't that accomplish the same goals?

**SnakeEyes** · 30th January 07, 03:53 PM

I think a part of it, for her anyways, is the heritage. We (as in members of Xmarks) know that you don't have to be scottish to wear a kilt, and you don't have to wear a kilt to be scottish. But I think in her mind theres really not much a woman can do to proudly display her scottish heritage.