my currant quandry.......tank?

[scottish]

wear what ever you like thats what i say and as a ex highland dancer we wore kilts real ones not kilt skirts at all,i know the kilt in a whole is a male garment but if us woman can wear them to dance why not any other time i wouldnt wear a sporran though thats realy is for the man,ok thats me ill shut up now

[Bob C]

When I saw "currant quandry" in the title, I thought this was a thread about fruit.

Seriously, though, to answer your current quandry, buy the tank if you want it. If you don't think you'll wear it enough to justify the cost, get someting like a Stillwater standard, instead.

My first kilt was (and is) a $600 tank. I put off buying it for years and finally justified the cost by getting it for my wife upgrade (second wedding). Since then, I've found several occasions on which to wear it. I later added an inexpensive kilt.

Live like you want to live, young lady.

[auld argonian]

One of the things that got me to stay around here is that the members seem to be an incredibly diverse group but we're all united in one obsession...and it does get to be a little bit more of an obsession than I like to admit. I think we all know where you're coming from on the craving for a true tank. Some of us have a kilt and some of us have many (many) kilts..but, yeah, a tank (and I don't have one yet) must be a wonderful thing to own and experience. I seriously doubt that anybody here is gonna tell you "don't".

Like I've said before, I'm wearing the kilts that I have and sort of adjusting the look to be consistant with my character. Love tartan, not crazy about the "modern" kilts...like the NeoKilts with the tartan insets. Definitely not a "traditionalist"...I'm not looking for a Prince Charlie jacket, either...just like to keep it as plain as possible. That's my "look", I'm sure that you'll find your own...you've doubtless seen lots of examples of "looks" on Xmarks and you'll figure out what you want. As to gender lines...eh! Are there any left? However you approach putting this stuff together it's your self-expression and you please yourself...

Personally, I'm putting off the tank for a while. I have no really direct clan associations and I'll most likely get a district tartan. And I will most probably only be able to justify popping for ONE tank...hey, I got kids in college. So when I decide on the ONE, you bet I'll try to do it right. In the meantime, I'll probably pick up a PV semi-trad. I'd even suggest that you might think about an "eight yard" PV as a possibility...they look good and if you're concerned about clubbing, they're very washable and that fabric wears like iron. But when you see the members of a pipe band in their immaculately kept tanks, you realize just how nicely they fit and look...and, frankly, (and this may not matter to you....) I've seen a couple of pipe band chicks (drummers mostly) who look beaucoup hot in those kilts. So whether you want to look hot or cool, you'll work it out. Sounds like you know who you are and will adjust your kilted look accordingly.

Best

AA

[bubba]

You could get a kilted skirt made to the length you want or get a mans tank, makes no nevermind to me. When to wear it, any time you want to look nice, not just major dress up occassions. Wear it with a nice blouse or shirt and there are some very nice ladies jackets that would work nicely. Ladies suit type jackets are cut much shorter than mens jackets so no mods should be needed. The Stillwater alternative is there as has been mentioned in case you really aren't sure about spending the money on a custom tank. Whatever you decide, do it and revel in it.

[Rampant Lion]

I agree with bubba, if you're concerned about getting a "men's kilt" you could get a kilted skirt made to knee length out of 8 yards of 16 oz. material. I don't think it'd be too hard for a kiltmaker to make the "kilt" open on the other side.
When I was at the local highland games here in Calgary I saw a lady in a kilt and I will admit it took me aback for a brief moment. I saw her off and on throughout the day and totally came to think it was cool. I think my initial reaction might have been because her fella had a matching kilt on too. haha. Kinda like couples in matching jogging suits.
I'm more of a traditionalist, but I say wear what you want. A heavy weight kilted skirt just might make things... easier.

[Colin]

I will be honest with you Cloves, it sounds to me like you would be wasting your money on a traditional 8 yard kilt. It sounds like the comtemporay kilts better suit your lifestyle. A traditional kilt is an awesome piece of art and very comfortable to wear, but it may feel out of place in the job you do, or the activities you enjoy. I would instead suggest that you check out a dress model Freedom kilt and see what you think of the fit and the feel of a comtempory kilt that, by all reviews, has all the best attributes of the traditional kilt. The freedom kilt is in a solid colour and made of materials that will suit the needs you have listed in your first post in this thread. However, it sound slike Steve has captured the feel, the weight, the wing, and the presentation of a traditional kilt in his dress model (plus you can add pockets )

This will also give you an clear idea of whether a traditional kilt fit, feel, weight, tratan, price, etc are something that may appeal to you.

If it is simply the tartan you are wanting, I second the suggestion for a USAKilts semi-trad. Easier to clean, and very versatile.

[bubba]

I'm going to disagree with one thing said here, don't go with the USAK casual, go with the semi traditional. It's much closer to a full traditional kilt in fit and feel.

[GatorUK]

Noticed in your post that you are a drummer. Since it is obvious that you are interested and enthusiastic about the kilt, have you thought about joining a pipe band if there is one in your area? Not that you need an excuse to buy and wear a traditional kilt. By all means, if you want one, get one and pfft on what anyone else says. You might want to try a Stillwater heavyweight first to see how you like the look and feel of a traditional kilt before laying out the $$$ for a custom made traditional.

This does, of course, give a different perspective to 'kilt checks".

[David Dalglish]

When I was at the World piping championships in Glasgow, there were lots of women wearing "tanks" with blouses & plain coloured waistcoats & a fancy belt --looks great "Go for it". No sporran though.

[Robin]

Go for it!

Some will disagree...who cares!?

Some ideas:

Wear stockings (sexy or classy...or both)... goth boots or (high) heels, no sporran! maybe no belt or a nice fashion belt...a nice blouse.
Maybe it's nice to use a sporran as a handbag?

I think women wearing a tank can look extremly good...just don't dress the way "us men" do.

It's hard to give good advise...what looks good on one person can look terrible on another...and personal taste and style is also an issue.

Anyway...GET your tank, after that you can start fiddling around with the rest of the outfit.

Good luck!