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Can Women Wear Kilts?

  • Alen Kesler
  • May 22, 2019
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Are Scottish Womens Wear Highland Kilts?

Women’s scottish attire is based on the clan tartans, either that of her birth clan or if married, that of her spouse’s clan if she so chooses. Traditionally, women and girls may not wear kilts but they wear ankle-length tartan skirts, along with a colour-coordinated bodysuit and vest.

Today the choice is wider than it has ever been. Women wear traditional pleated kilts cut for a woman’s waist and hip, casual women’s utility kilts, and tartan skirts in mini, midi and maxi lengths, all made to measure in any tartan.

ladies highland dress scottish
wikipedia

A tartan earasaid, sash or tonnag (smaller shawl) may also be worn, usually pinned with a brooch, sometimes with a clan badge or other family or cultural design.

When did women start wearing kilts?

Historically, kilts were worn almost exclusively by men. Oftentimes, they were reserved for men in the military and worn as battle attire for their many benefits towards agility and warmth. But, over time, as with any article of clothing or fashion style, the kilt has evolved in its wear and is now a daily article of clothing for many men, wearing them for everything for a quick trip into town to formal events.

Baby Girl Tartan Skirt

More than that, kilts have stopped being an article of clothing reserved only for men. In recent times, women also have been able to enjoy the culturally rich experience and style of wearing kilts. Today, women’s kilts are breaking into the mainstream, making ladies kilts every bit as popular and  common place as men’s kilts. This is especially true when it comes to Highland kilts for women.

Women's kilt-skirt styles

Scottish Highland kilts are among the most common types of kilts and are typically the first type of kilt that comes to mind when kilts are mentioned to someone separate from kilt wearing societies and cultures.

Baby Girl Tartan Skirt

These Scottish plaid skirts are tartan patterned and come in a variety of different colors. Some of the colors represent clans or regions in the country, while some are there simply for the sake of style. No matter what kind of kilt you are interested in wearing, this highland kilt is there for you.

long tartan skirts
Baby Girl Tartan Skirt
Baby Girl Tartan Skirt

These traditional women’s kilt are every bit as versatile, plentiful, diverse and stylish as men’s kilts and are ready to suit the tastes and style preferences of women everywhere. We are launching new arrival of women’s kilts that are sure to please even the most unique of tastes, giving women everywhere who are interested in wearing kilts the chance to do so in a way that suits personal styles across the spectrum.

Basic Tartan Skirt With Front Buttons

We understand the importance of the kilt as a method of not only a person’s culture and heritage but also as an expression of their personalities and who they are as well. Because of this, our launch of new arrival of  kilts for sale will include a massive variety of colors and styles for you to choose from. This means that you won’t be stuck having to choose from just the standard, most popular kilt styles and patterns and will instead be free to get creative and find the one that matches who you are.

Made to Measure Tartan Kilts & Skirts

Baby Girl Tartan Skirt

As always, like with the rest of our kilt skirt, each one is entirely made to measure. By sending in your hip and waist measurements, as well as the desired kilt length, you can be sure that the kilt you choose will fit you perfectly straight out of the box. With these Ladies Kilt Skirts, you can take your love of your heritage and its signature styles and work them into your daily wardrobe as often and as easily as kilt wearing men are able to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Scottish women wear kilts?

Yes, though the traditional women’s garment was the tartan skirt or the arisaid rather than the man’s kilt. Today women wear kilts and kilted skirts at weddings, Highland games, Burns suppers and ceilidhs, and increasingly as everyday clothing. Nothing in Scottish custom prevents it, and it is common at formal Highland events.

What is the difference between a women's kilt and a men's kilt?

The cut. A men’s kilt sits at the natural waist above the hip and falls to the middle of the knee. A women’s kilt or kilted skirt is shaped for a smaller waist-to-hip difference, sits lower, and is made in mini, knee, midi and maxi lengths. Pleating and tartan are the same; the fit and the length are what change.

Which tartan should a woman wear?

If you have a clan connection through either parent, that clan’s tartan is the usual choice, and married women may wear their husband’s if they prefer. With no clan claim, a universal or district tartan such as Black Watch or Pride of Scotland is always appropriate. Beyond that, choosing a sett you simply like is entirely acceptable.

How long should a woman's kilt be?

The traditional length is the middle of the knee, the same as a man’s. Shorter mini and knee-length versions are common for casual wear, and midi or maxi tartan skirts suit formal evening events. Because each one is made to your measurements, the length is set by the waist-to-hem measurement you send rather than a fixed size.

Did women wear kilts historically?

Not the modern kilt. The women’s equivalent was the arisaid, a long pleated length of tartan wrapped at the waist with the surplus drawn over the shoulder and pinned with a brooch. Over time that gave way to the tartan skirt and the sash. Women wearing tailored kilts is a modern development, not a revival of an older practice.

Please feel free to contact us:

  • Scotland Kilt is always looking to help our customers to make their events more valuable and memorable.
  • Women’s Scottish Kilts are great for any occasion you want to wear a kilt.
  •  The main women’s kilts are the Mini Kilt, Ultimate Kilt, and Kilted Skirt.
  • All of our plaid skirts for women can be customized by our expert craftswomen, such as, adding belt loops, leather buckle straps with metal buckles, fringe, sewn-down pleats, and even pockets! We can also give the female kilts a custom length.
  • Shop our site today and anticipate the addition of even more exciting designs soon for your consideration.

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Alen Kesler

A professional writer known for producing authentic, research-based content on Irish and Scottish heritage.

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