day one hundred and one - kilt 101
A kilt (Scottish Gaelic: fèileadh [ˈfeːləɣ])[1] is a type of knee-length non-bifurcated skirt with pleats at the back, originating in the traditional dress of Gaelic men and boys in the Scottish Highlands. It is first recorded in the 16th century as the great kilt, a full-length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak. The small kilt or modern kilt emerged in the 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of the great kilt. Since the 19th century, it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland, and more broadly with Gaelic or Celtic heritage. It is most often made of woollen cloth in a tartan pattern.
What’s not to like about a kilt? I may be biased (though I’m not wrong), but it’s just about the perfect garment. Both cool in the summer months, and warm in the winter, it can be dressed up or down, it brings smiles to the faces of both the wearer, and many of those around him.
There are ‘rules’ in regards to the wearing of a kilt; navel to knee, only wear one if you have Scottish ancestry and only wear the tartan from your clan, can’t wear underwear, etc. however today, there seem to be as many different opinions on the matter, as there are ways to wear it, all largely depending on the situation.
The accessories can be a minefield too; Sporrans - day, semi or formal, kilt pins, fly-plaid and brooches, dirks and sgian dubhs, bonnets, Glengarrys or Balmorals, Jacobite shirt or Prince Charlie jacket, belts, hose, flashes & ghillies brogues and or course (whilst not technically a kilt accessory), the flask or quaich is the perfect for your Munro bagger.
There are a few things where there seem to be consensus. Length is generally considered to be not above or below the knee - right in the middle, thank you very much, and don’t make the cardinal sin of wearing it backwards with the pleats at the front!
(thanks to our model, nosnarB drahciR, for his informative demonstration of what not to do).
I’m still very much in the learning stage with this whole kilt thing. I didn’t grow up with kilts so I’m trying to put it together as I go. Mine, is a very casual style, usually with just a sporran, t-shirt or hoodie, and some docs - or sometimes just thongs as I’m late to put the bins out.
There’s so much about them, and the surrounding culture and etiquette, that it can be somewhat daunting at times, especially when confronted by a Scot who sees all the errors and may be triggered after years of face painted morons playing dress-up and shouting ‘Freedom’. That said, I’m always keen to learn - If you have any links, please feel free to add them in the comment section.
What I do know, is that I love them, that they make me feel better than ever, that it comes from a place of deep respect for the Scottish culture, and that I feel like I’m connected, standing on the shoulders of my ancestors.
Kilt of the day - The old girl - my Ross Modern Hunting Tartan
Explicit Soundtrack of the day - The Kilt Song - Aly Macrae (don’t say you weren’t warned)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ_fFLaljY0
Links of the day - Kilt & accessories - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilt_accessories
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaich
Scottish Register of Tartans
https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/index
Scottish Tartans Authority
http://www.tartansauthority.com/
How to wear a Kilt - Kilt Society
https://kiltsociety.com/blogs/the-blog/how-to-wear-a-kilt
Video of the day - How Kilts are Made - Mr. Laurie’s Glasgow (1952)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eASLsnqYPa8
