The question of why the Scots wear a kilt worries many people who want to get to know the life and disposition of the inhabitants of this country. But it should be noted that the answers to it will differ from each other depending on who tries to give an explanation on this topic. Let's try to figure it out.
The opinion of historians
A person who has read a lot about the traditions of the Scots, their historical roots and way of life many years ago, to the question: “Why do Scots wear a kilt, where did this tradition come from?” Will answer that the men's skirt in this country is not just a part of the national costume. This is a symbol of courage, freedom, courage, severity and obstinacy of these highlanders.
Once in Scotland, not all the inhabitants of this country wore a kilt skirt. Highlanders, that is, mountaineers living in harsh climates, walking or riding horseback long distances, spending the night in the open air, regardless of rainfall, were forced to use clothes that made their life easier.
Kilt was clothes that did not constrain movements, and a blanket that saved from the cold overnight. Trouser legs when walking on tall grass or mountain trails got wet and constantly required drying, this problem was not with the skirt. And if it was necessary to join the battle, the kilt was thrown to the side, like an extra object, and the mountaineers rushed to the attack, not constrained by excess clothing.
Legends and facts
Experts assure that these are not empty words. Several historical facts are known confirming such fights. But first, a beautiful legend. In 1544, two clans, the MacDonalds and the Camerons, united, entered into battle with the Frasers. Since they were all highlanders, they went into battle, dropping the kilts to the sides. The battle remained in the epics and in the memory of the people under the name “Battle of Shirts”.
But after 100 years, in 1645, this really happened. The army of the Marquis Montrose, consisting of three thousand Scots, took the battle at Kilsit with an eight-thousandth detachment of Sir William Bailey. Perhaps the highlanders were helped by training and endurance, but the fact remains that they rushed naked into battle. Victory was on their side.
Why do Scots wear a kilt despite a government ban?
In the XVIII century, after the suppression of the next Jacobite revolt, the British authorities, seeing in the national clothes of the highlanders a challenge to public opinion, a demonstration of independence and freedom, tried to teach mountain men to wear trousers. The strict ban lasted 36 years.
But the kilt did not disappear at all. The fact is that he remained in the equipment of the mountain regiments, and therefore after some time he again became an element in demand by the men of this country.
What is a kilt?
There are many variants of the word’s origin, but the derivative of “scots”, that is, “wrap yourself around”, seems to be the most reliable. But maybe the name gave rise to the style of clothing, because in translation from Old Icelandic it is just folded clothes.
In everyday life, the Scots used to be large and small kilts. Large - these are two pieces of fabric sewn together, making up a single fabric 6-7 meters long. The lower part was gathered in folds and fastened to the waist with a belt, and the upper part was thrown over the shoulder, served as a cloak or hood. It becomes obvious why the Scots wear a kilt, why there was a need for a thing that did not take hands during the day, performing the functions of outerwear, and at night it became a tent, sleeping bag or blanket. A large kilt existed already in the 17th century, now it is almost impossible to see in everyday life.
The small kilt appeared a century later, in the 18th century. This is the lower, more functional part of the large plaid. A piece of fabric is wrapped around the hips and fastened already with straps with buckles. The length of the skirt is usually to the knee.
What can such a thing tell?
By tradition, the Scots wear kilts of thick, woolen fabric - tartan. Heavy and dense clothes practically do not crease and are very durable. Owners wear their kilts for a long time. Tartan is woven, observing the combination and interweaving of stripes of different colors. This is not just a tribute to aesthetics. It is known that each Scottish clan uses its own colors in tartans and even the order and angle of intersection of the stripes matter. It was once natural and necessary to find out clothing belonging to a particular clan.
But tartan could tell about the social status of the owner. To do this, it was enough to count the number of flowers that were present in the fabric: a servant - one color, a farmer - two, an officer - already three. The warlord wore five flowers on a skirt, the poet six and the leader seven. A very convenient way to find out the social status of a new acquaintance. It becomes more clear why the Scots wear kilts, although this tradition is now almost gone.
Kilt becomes everyday Scottish clothing
Already in the middle of the 19th century, a kilt gained popularity not only among the highlanders; unexpectedly, Scotland men fully appreciated these clothes and began to wear them. Folded small kilts began to be popular among representatives of the intelligentsia and the nobility. Then the fashion was picked up and spread throughout the territory. When King George IV himself came to an official reception in a kilt in 1822 and ordered to dress in a national outfit for all the local nobility, a second life began in this wardrobe item.
Why do Scots wear a kilt today, which makes them walk in such “non-male” clothes? Specialists call this the desire to self-identify in the global environment, emphasize and support centuries-old national traditions, and finally, just feel the freedom and independence that our ancestors were so proud of.
If twenty years ago, a kilt was clothing for formal receptions, an office outfit, a wedding suit, today today an increasing number of men prefer to wear it in everyday life.
Optional accessories
When you look at the photos of the Scots in kilts, you ask yourself what else should be worn complete with the national clothes of the highlanders. Since the plaid skirt was sewn without pockets, we needed a leather purse for storing various trifles, called “sporran”. He was hung on his belt.
In front, the kilt is fixed with a special kiltpin pin, made, as a rule, in the form of knives. Celtic patterns are applied to the pin. The purpose of the kiltpin is not so much to fasten the floors of the skirt as to weight its bottom.
Scottish leggings, haws - these are long socks to the knee, which are fixed on the leg with lacing. Ideally, there is a hat. The beret should be the same colors as the kilt.
Perhaps there is another reason why modern Scots wear a kilt. The photo of brutal men in skirts with an indispensable knife behind the garter makes a strong impression on women. Earlier, back in the XVII century, the Scots, who did not leave the house without weapons, carried a knife in an axillary case. But a visit to any home required that the guest did not hide his weapons, so the knife was shifted each time for the garter of the right golf course. He soon remained there.
Modern designers and clothing manufacturers have caught the change in fashion trends in Scotland and offered consumers interesting options for kilts.