Every country we associate with is somehow. Speaking the word "Scotland", we recall the mountains in the fog, Walter Scott's books, and we also have a kilt skirt in front of our eyes. Without this eclectic object, you can not imagine a Scot. Despite the fact that in modern Glasgow they are found as rarely as on the Arbat in Moscow.
What it is?
Kilt is an element of men's clothing that is considered traditional for the Highlanders of Scotland. Outwardly, it is quite simple - it is a simple piece of material that wraps around the waist, and is fixed on it with the help of special buckles and straps. His obligatory accessory is sporran, i.e. a special bag that is designed to store various small items and money.
History
The oldest description of this thing in Scotland is considered to be that which dates back to 1594. According to it, a kilt is an outer garment that looks like a speckled outfit, has a variety of colors, has a huge number of folds that reach the middle of the calf. The kilt had a belt that wrapped around the waist. He was worn quite original - through the legs.
Kilt is an indispensable item in Upper Scotland. This is explained by the climate and local topography (rain and mountains are what awaits guests here). This type of clothing has plenty of advantages - it warms the body, does not constrain movement, and when wet, it dries instantly (much faster than trousers). At night, it turns into a cozy and warm blanket.
Kilt in combat is convenient because during battles in battles you can throw it off very quickly, having gained maximum freedom in your movements, and fight further. One of the most famous battles of this kind was the battle between three clans - Cameroons, MacDonalds and Frasers.
By the way, it is believed that the kilt is an integral part of the culture of Scotland, but this is not entirely true. He was always a classic costume, and received national significance not so long ago. Only by the middle of the year before last had it gained popularity among the intelligentsia and the nobility of Scotland. A little later, ordinary locals, in addition, the Scottish diasporas living outside the country, also accepted it. The Irish, Welsh, and the rest of the Celts also began to wear the Scottish kilt. But it should be noted that among these nationalities he is not so revered and loved.
Kilt in modern times
At the moment, the Scottish kilt as casual clothing is used very rarely. He is considered part of the official costume. He is also often worn by scouts as formal attire. At Scottish competitions of different levels (musical and dance), kilts flicker every now and then. Today, in most armies of the British Commonwealth, and in the army itself, a kilt of Scots is still an obligatory subject of military ammunition. But it should be noted that he was not put on military operations since the end of World War II.
Colors
Since plant components were previously used to make paints for kilt, while plants that were used for these purposes did not grow everywhere, weavers were limited to a strictly defined set of colors. This set of colored stripes is called set. It easily determined the area in which it was created.
The set for any local clan was unique, thus identifying belonging to a particular clan. This has led to the fact that at the moment there are about 700 various sets.
Types of kilts
There are several types of kilt - small and large. Big is interesting in that it was very long, so much so that sometimes it was thrown on the shoulder, hiding under it in bad weather. To create a kilt, wool was used, which contributed to this.
Big kilt
The Big Kilt has many other names and titles - Big Kilt, Feileadh Mor, Belted Plaid, Breacan Feile and Great Kilt. Although its essence is the same - it is 2 pieces of thick woolen fabric sewn together. Its length can vary, although it is in the range of 4.5-9 yards. In such a sufficiently large range, a much narrower one can be distinguished; it is most often used to make a large kilt - 6-7 yards.
Its manufacturing process is interesting. So, folds were collected by hand only on the 1st part of the fabric, and then were fastened together, for which a wide belt was used. The other part of the “attached” can be various methods. It can be thrown onto the left shoulder (analogue of the cloak) or take cover under it from the weather (in this case, the shoulders and head will be well protected). And also this part can be fixed on the belt, while leaving a small end falling from it. Often such a kilt for men also served as a reliable blanket.
According to the detailed description of 1746, this clothing is free and comfortable, which was much appreciated by men, because overcoming fast or distant crossings, in addition, crossing the river turned out to be simpler. A large kilt is convenient for hiking in the forest, as well as for home and everyday life. In general, we can say that he can help where there is nothing to do in ordinary clothes.
Historians have not decided yet and are constantly arguing about the time this clothing appeared. But we can say with a high degree of certainty that by the beginning of the eighteenth century it was already known about him. His images, discovered earlier than those years, are slightly different from what we usually mean by kilt. Previously, he looked more like a long shirt, reaching to the knees. It was made of various materials, including leather, canvas or linen. For greater protection and reliability, the kilt quilted, although already in those years it had a huge number of folds.
Many people think that the Highlanders from Scotland are the main connoisseurs of the kilt. But it is not so. Yes, of course, they wear it, but it is also characteristic of the inhabitants of a number of poor villages that are located not in the mountains, but on the plain.
The tradition of wearing it, which disappeared for a time, was revived only in the nineteenth century.
Small kilt
Not everyone knows that the word “kilt” basically means directly a small kilt, since it just has the appearance familiar to each outside observer, but, in essence, it is only the lower part of the large one. Since it differs from its large version in much smaller sizes, often it is already fixed not in the classical way, but on simple straps with buckles. To fix its floors, a kilt pin is used, which is designed specifically for such purposes.
It is believed that its creator is the Englishman Rawlinson. In 1725, this manager at a steel factory in Lokhabersky proposed to remove the upper part of the kilt for greater convenience and comfort, leaving only the lower one for wearing.
Accessories
Woolen long socks were obligatory attributes to him. They could be both plain and checkered. They were traditionally without gum and held only with the help of garters with tassels. A dagger was thrust under them (sgian dubh or dirk). A sporran was hung on a belt - this is a fur purse twisted out with wool. Sporran rushed in front, so that the wind would not show everyone around everything that in a decent society is not accepted to show. Kilt without it is considered in approximately the same way as the pants fly, inadvertently unfastened.
Kilt for a bath
This irreplaceable detail of the bath wardrobe is a classic that is necessary for both women and men. Kilt for a bath in women is also called pareo. It is much longer, so it is possible to wrap itself in it, as if in a sheet or towel. The male kilt is basically wide and very large, so much so that any person can easily turn into it.
When choosing it, it is better to pay attention to terry products. They are dense, soft and perfectly absorb moisture. A kilt is worth buying from a natural, cotton, unpainted fabric. A waffle kilt is a cheaper option. It is much thinner than terry and, therefore, gets wet quickly, and this creates certain inconveniences. Such clothes will be very convenient and practical in a hot steam room and after it.