A skirt or a kilt

[rick401r]

My wife works part time at a local consignment shop. She called me yesterday and told me to hurry down and that someone just drooped off a genuine Scottish kilt. When I got there she showed me a lovely wool Black Watch tartan. But I hesitate in calling it a kilt. The apron opens on left with 2 leather buckles. On the right, inside, it is held by velcro. The length is 33 inches compared to the 24 inch Stillwater kilt I presently own. The only label inside says Maclennans of Fort Willaim. I'm assuming this is a woman's skirt or kilt. It doesn't matter to me. It is a perfect fit at the waist and I can have it hemmed up to the proper length. I doubt if too many people around here will notice the difference.

[crfriend]

Baed on the description, that does sound like a woman's kilted skirt; however, you're likely correct in assuming that most folks won't notice, or even if they do, they won't particularly care. Out of deference, I'd probably not wear it to anything formal, but for knocking about it ought to be fine.

As far as getting is shortened, you might want to get it shortened from the top; likely trying to hem the pleats won't look terribly good and will make them hang strangely. This is especially true if the hem is selvedged.

[janrok]

If you check the mainly German Goth websites you will see that virtually all the so called men's kilts have aprons that open left with two leather straps and buckles.
I am pretty sure that apart from us nobody knows the difference; some people will be flabbergasted to see a guy in what looks like a kilt and are certainly not going to wonder if it opens on the right side.
Besides, all these "German" mens kilts are way too long.
My Dutch made cheap red kilt is 3 inches too long. Nobody ever commented on that.

Jan.

[crfriend]

I am pretty sure that apart from us nobody knows the difference; some people will be flabbergasted to see a guy in what looks like a kilt and are certainly not going to wonder if it opens on the right side.

I rather suspect that the folks who inhabit "The Kilt is the ONLY form of 'single-tube' men's apparel that is appropriate" communities would know the difference from a city-block away. Whether or not they'd be crass enough to call one out on it is open to question.

Besides, all these "German" mens kilts are way too long.
My Dutch made cheap red kilt is 3 inches too long. Nobody ever commented on that.

Perhaps they weren't paying attention. More hopefully, though, would be that they didn't think it worth making a stink over.

Don't get me wrong; I think that the kilt is getting casual acceptance -- and is losing some of the baggage in informal settings -- is a good thing. However, if I needed to show up at something formal in a kilt I'd make sure I got it right. Or, if it was deemed acceptable, one of my more formal-looking skirt rigs.

[r.m.anderson]

Baed on the description, that does sound like a woman's kilted skirt; however, you're likely correct in assuming that most folks won't notice, or even if they do, they won't particularly care. Out of deference, I'd probably not wear it to anything formal, but for knocking about it ought to be fine.

As far as getting is shortened, you might want to get it shortened from the top; likely trying to hem the pleats won't look terribly good and will make them hang strangely. This is especially true if the hem is selvedged.

crfriend makes excellent points - I would however disagree with shortening the kilted skirt from the top (waist).
If the skirt fits you fine at the waist (don't mess with something that is not broken) then you only need to adjust from the bottom.
If you adjust from the top you will also have to move the left side buckles and resew the velcro inside fastening.
The tricky part here is to have the clothing alterations person use a serger sewing machine in shortening the hem.
A regular ordinary sewing machine will leave an unfinished or lumpy hem that in time may unravel in the dry cleaning or laundering
process. The serger makes this an easy once around the circumference of the hem cutting and finishing in one step.
One point to consider is if the pleats hanging down from the waist band are not sewn down for at least 6 or so inches have this done
at the time you make the length alterations. A kilt or kilted skirt will fit much better and if you wear a sporran; man bag with strap or
fanny (bum) bag the sewn down pleats will not catch and cause wear and tear problems.
Sounds too complicated - your wife should have some contacts for clothing alterations in conjunction with the consignment shop.
And regarding that left side opening - crfriend is right unless are going formally nobody is going to bat an eye on the correct or formal
side of kilt closing.
All and all enjoy your new found kilt and thank the wife for being such a great scout scooping up this find for you !

"Kilted-Skirted-It-Doesn't-Matter-Just Get-With-It"
rma

[rick401r]

I have 2 other "proper" kilts so this one would be for everyday use. As far as shortening it, I may be able to simply cut it off without hemming it. That's how my stillwater kilt is made. I have a few other skirts that are made for women that I wear regularly so it wouldn't bother me in the least to be seen in a womans kilt.
I'll get some photos of it soon so you can see and judge for yourself.

[JRMILLER]

Rick,
Alter it from the bottom, if you have a surger, you can just buzz it off without folding. If not, then you should do a traditional hem (folder over, etc.).

Now, WRT to people's ability to determine a "true" kilt. I have worn ankle length sarongs and been asked if it was a kilt. Most people are pretty clueless, but most of them do catch on to the fact that its some sort of skirt.

[Since1982]

I know it's just a typo but my mind has all kinds of strange ruminations thinking about "droopy kilts"...

[GerdG]

Probably your kilted skirt is already hemmed. To my knowledge most women’s tartan kilts are, and most often the fabric is light weight. In this case no problem. Get it shortened and hemmed. I agree with those saying that it should better not be worn at highland gatherings or formal events, but otherwise, wear it and probably nobody should take it for a skirt. And should they do, well then, you are just a man wearing a skirt. How bad could that be, after all?

[couyalair]

Probably your kilted skirt is already hemmed. ... it should better not be worn at highland gatherings or formal events,

Indeed in my experience, outside very narrow (and oft narrow-minded) elitist circles, no one knows what disitnguishes a Scottish kilt from any other skirt.

Martin

[rick401r]

I dropped it off with the seamstress last week and will be picking it up today. She shortened it from 30 inches to 24. I told her to save any fabric scraps so I can create belt loops, etc.

[couyalair]

I told her to save any fabric scraps so I can create belt loops, etc.

They are the hardest part to sew, if you want them to be strong enough to be useful.

Martin

[r.m.anderson]

Belt loops - - -
Yes indeed hard to sew.
They have to be sewn inside out and then the hard part of turning them inside out to have no seam exposed.
The smaller the loops the bigger the problem.
Then to aline the belt loops with the tartan pattern creating equal distance between loops another problem.
Better to use leather - but that might not be as easy either.

Dress kilts only have 2 or 3 belt loops in the rear only for something to run a spooran chain through.
I think I read when wearing a dress kilt with PC or Argyle jacket with vest that a belt is not worn.
The side straps and buckles are enough to keep the kilt in place.

But since you are converting a kilted skirt to a kilt albeit fastening reverse side throw the rule book away.
It is a custom creation and a lucky find.

I like it when there are many mini knife pleats instead of the traditional dozen or so across the bum.
Even better is the box pleated design which creates quite a effect when the backfield is in motion.

"Kilts-Can't-Live-With-Them-&-Can't-Live-Without-Them"
rma

[Big and Bashful]

Belt loops - - -
Yes indeed hard to sew.
They have to be sewn inside out and then the hard part of turning them inside out to have no seam exposed.
The smaller the loops the bigger the problem.
Then to aline the belt loops with the tartan pattern creating equal distance between loops another problem.
Better to use leather - but that might not be as easy either.

Dress kilts only have 2 or 3 belt loops in the rear only for something to run a spooran chain through.
I think I read when wearing a dress kilt with PC or Argyle jacket with vest that a belt is not worn.
The side straps and buckles are enough to keep the kilt in place.

But since you are converting a kilted skirt to a kilt albeit fastening reverse side throw the rule book away.
It is a custom creation and a lucky find.

I like it when there are many mini knife pleats instead of the traditional dozen or so across the bum.
Even better is the box pleated design which creates quite a effect when the backfield is in motion.

"Kilts-Can't-Live-With-Them-&-Can't-Live-Without-Them"
rma

When I bought my tailor made 12 yard kilt last year, belt loops were not standard, they were an optional extra. There are two of them, rearwards of "at each side". Just thought I'd mention this!

[rick401r]

Here is my kilt/skirt after alterations. I had it shortened from 30 inches to 23.