In the world, probably, there is no such person who would not hear about the Scottish national costume. This is a perfectly thought out to the smallest detail and harmonious outfit, which consists of several elements. Each part clearly demonstrates the clan and even hierarchical affiliation of the Scot.
The main characteristic detail of this outfit is a plaid skirt called kilt, made of tartan fabric, which wraps around the waist. Today, kilts are sewn from synthetic materials. Large pleats are made on the back of the skirt for decoration. The kitle is fastened with special straps and buckles.
As a rule, a skirt is worn with a special hip bag (sporran), a knife and a beret with a pompom.
What is included in a scottish costume?
The upper part of the costume is a doublet-jacket or linen shirt, over which a tartan-made cape is thrown. Knee-length socks and large shoes decorated with metal buckles are worn over the legs. The color of golfs depended on belonging to one or another estate or clan: most often they were white, less often - checkered with a touch of the tone of a kilt.
Shoes are called brogues - leather shoes with long laces and perforations.
Complementing this outfit is a Scottish beret with a pompom or feather. Sporran is attached to the skirt using a chain or a leather wide belt with a large metal buckle.
Translated from the English-Scottish language, the word "kilt" means "wrap", which makes this men's skirt in a Scottish national costume. Translated from Old Icelandic, this word means “folded” and dates back to the Vikings who wore similar clothes with folds. Distinguished between small and large kilt.
The Scots were worn almost until the 18th century - it was a many-meter-long piece of tartan fabric that resembled a plaid.
He was laid on the ground on top of the spread out belt, after which the central part was collected in folds. The Scot lay with his back along the folds, and he was wrapped in side parts. This is where the name kilt came from. After tightening the belt, the outfit acquired a meaningful appearance: its lower part became a skirt, and the upper part was thrown over one or both shoulders, like a cape. The Scottish classic costume did not constrain movements, after crossing through swamps and rivers it quickly dried up and warmed well when its owner had to stop for the night in the open.
Kilt small can be seen in modern costumes. To be published, the outfit is completed with a snow-white elegant shirt with a bow-tie, a vest and an official national jacket - Argyll or Prince Charlie.
Scots, wherever they are, honor their national traditions, therefore, as in the 16th century, they still wear a checkered kilt. At the same time, on men's hips, the skirt does not look like a parody of the female counterpart, on the contrary, it successfully emphasizes strength and masculinity.
Scottish national hats
In the national costume, there are several options for berets, but all are similar, there are practically no differences. To understand how hats differ, we will consider them in more detail.
Balmoral
This is a men's traditional beret with a bright woolen pompom or satin ribbon. As a rule, it is made of the same material as the kilt. It was named after Balmoral Castle , the private residence of the English kings in Scotland. Introduces an alternative version of the traditional tem-o-senter.
Beret balmoral can be worn with any civilian Scottish costume. It used to be part of the military uniform of the Scottish regiments.
Tam-o-Shenther or simplified Tam
This is another type of national Scottish beret. The historical name blue bonnet means "blue hat without borders." An interesting fact is that before the creation of chemical dyes, every single headdress was blue. Now Scottish berets are sewn from tartan, there is a large selection of colors. The name that he now bears was given in honor of the hero of the story in the poems of Robert O'Sherter by Robert Burns. He, like the balmoral, is sometimes decorated with a cockade in the form of the official coat of arms of the clan in the center and a feather on the left side.
The main difference from the previous dress is that it does not have ribbons. In wartime, it was also an element of military uniform. Now it is worn for pleasure.
Glengarry
Glengarry is a modified model of balmoral. It is sewn of dense woolen fabric, decorated with ribbons on the back. This type of Scottish beret is more often performed in black or navy blue.
Previously, his task was to supplement work clothes in military service. Since the 19th century, it has become the traditional headdress of pipers. Initially, the glengar did not even appear in Scotland, but in the British army as a military headdress for wearing with a working uniform. This hat was invented by Colonel Alexander Reneldson McDonello of Glengarry.
Women's national clothes
Women's Scottish national costume, unfortunately, has not been worn by female representatives for a long time. In the long past, it consisted of several parts. It was a bottom dress, ankle-long, of a very simple cut without unnecessary adornments. Over the woman they put on a top dress, no longer than the knees, which was decorated with a pattern with braid. As a complement, the suit had an apron attached to the dress with convex oval brooches - metal clasps for clothes. Aprons were sewn of wool, decorated with original embroidery and a hem around the edge. As a woman’s outerwear, they used a wool wrap decorated with fur inserts and a warm fringed shawl. On holidays, Scottish women threw a plaid over their shoulders. The headpiece was a white linen scarf folded in a triangle and tied under the chin. According to tradition, only married women should wear hats; girls could walk with their heads uncovered.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to say that in the modern world the Scottish beret is worn with almost everything: with everyday and even formal clothes. Now there are no clear divisions and rules regarding wearing a beret. There are a couple of rules in the Scottish national costume: the Scots usually wear a hat, slightly moving to the right, and the glengarry only straight.