Posted without opinion, but there is some interesting information here, that if it is actually true would explain the lack of period images of women in tartan:

"According to Terry Griest (Scottish Tartans and Family Names), tartan and the wearing of plaids was out of fashion in large cities of Scotland during the early 1600's, especially for women. By 1631 Edinburgh and other cities passed increasingly stringent laws against women wearing plaids. Edinburgh's law made it punishable by a fine of 5 pounds (Scots) and the loss of the garment. By 1633 a new act required corporal punishment for any offending women wearing plaids over their heads."



http://clanntartan.sitesneakpeek.com...%20plaids.html