When people think of Scotland, one of the first things that comes to mind is kilts. While kilts have a deep-rooted place in Scotland's history, their origins were mainly confined to the Scottish Highlands. The earliest version of the kilt from the 16th century was called the féileadh mór or belted plaid, which was essentially just a long piece of tartan cloth wrapped around the body, secured with a belt. The excess was draped over the shoulder, which helped keep the wearer warm, even during the cold winters of the Scottish Highlands. These early kilts were extremely practical, doubling as clothing that could be worn during the day and blankets during the night. Being made from wool, the féileadh mór was an exceptionally good insulator and also very durable, perfect for the highland way of life, but before the 1800s, kilts were far less common amongst the lowland population of Scotland.
The Evolution of Scottish Attire
By the start of the 18th century, highland dress had started to gain some traction outside of the Highlands, but only slightly. However, after the Jacobite uprisings ended on Culloden Moor, the British government passed the Dress Act of 1746, which effectively banned the wearing of kilts and tartan, ending the Clan and Highland way of life for good. For over three decades, the Dress Act meant that highlandwear had simply vanished from society. It wasn’t until 1782 that the act was repealed, and a resurgence of highland culture could occur. It was during this time that the little kilt was born, and in 1822, even King George IV wore one when he visited Edinburgh in 1822. The revival of traditional Scottish attire continues to thrive today, with contemporary tweed kilt outfits and modern designs transforming what were once purely practical garments of the Highlands into iconic symbols of Scottish style and identity.
The History of Tartan Trews
Tartan Trews are a staple of modern Scottish style and are an exceptional alternative to a kilt, but versatile enough for every occasion. Also known as Truis or Triubhas, the history of trews dates back as early as the 1500s. Originally designed to be a warm, practical garment, during the 1600s, trews changed drastically. Influenced by the ‘hoes’ of the Renaissance period, trews became more form-fitting and more attention was paid to their overall appearance, rather than purely focusing on being something warm to wear. Today's trews have been influenced by the military version from the 1800s. While highland regiments wore kilts with Black Watch tartan, Lowland Scottish soldiers often wore trews. A tradition that the Royal Regiment of Scotland continues for non-ceremonial duties in cold weather. Today, trews are great for all kinds of formal and casual occasions. This is down to their versatility in being able to be dressed up with a formal tweed jacket or down with a wool sweater.
To Hire or Buy a Kilt?
These days, kilts are worn around the world at weddings, graduations, sporting events, ceilidhs and all kinds of occasions. Whether it’s to celebrate your heritage or to add a touch of Scottish style at an upcoming celebration, a kilt is an excellent choice. Deciding whether you want to invest in your own highlandwear outfit or hire one instead can be a tricky choice. The benefit of hiring a kilt outfit is that you don’t have to commit to just one style, you can switch up your highlandwear look at every event. It’s also a great low-cost option if your budget doesn’t stretch far enough to buy your own. Purchasing, on the other hand, gives you the opportunity to really carve out your personal look, from your sporran choice to the style of jacket, a kilt outfit can be a great way of expressing your formal style. Owning your own kilt outfit means you are always event-ready. Some like a middle ground, where they buy their kilt and accessories but hire their jackets. This is a great option for people who like the idea of owning their own style but like being able to keep things fresh with different jacket styles depending on the occasion. Both hiring and buying your own highlandwear are great ideas, it’s down to what you think you would prefer.
With highlandwear continuing to grow in popularity across the world, not just as a symbol of Scottish pride but as a fashion staple, there’s never been a better time to get involved. Whether you prefer the traditional look of a kilt or a smart pair of trews, there’s a Scottish outfit to suit any occasion. When you’re ready to explore your own highlandwear style, book an appointment with one of our stylists and let us guide you through our range of kilt hire, made-to-measure kilt outfits and tartan trousers.
