Why Do Scotsmen Wear Kilts?
Scotsman living in the Highlands region wore kilts as early as the 16th century. The kilt was adopted by their lowland countrymen in the early 19th century and the knee-length garment typically made of wool in a tartan pattern has become a symbol of Scottish history and culture. Today, kilts have become a trendy alternative to pants, mainly in the United States and Scotland.
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History
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Prior to the kilt, the standard garment of Scotland and Ireland was a long tunic. According to tartan researcher and Highland dress historian Matthew A.C. Newsome, by the 16th century, it evolved into a long garment over which a woolen shawl would be worn for warmth.
Kilt Evolution
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Wearers began to gather the large wraps into folds and belt them about the waist. They became known as great kilts or belted plaid.
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Small kilt
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The belted plaid progressed in the 17th or 18th centuries to the small or walking kilt, which is the lower half of the great kilt. Over time, waistbands, linings, straps and buckles were added to reflect changing fashions.
Modern times
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Throughout the 20th Century, kilts were mostly worn for ceremonies, at the Highland Games and other formal events. Recently, men have chosen to wear kilts as an alternative to pants--called contemporary kilts, modern kilts, utility kilts or "utilikilts."
Myths
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According to Newsome, myth says a true kilt should contain 8 to10 yards of cloth. But kilt makers will fashion a kilt depending on the size of the wearer and the pattern of the tartan.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Kate Williams Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of John Haslam
