The Evolution of The Traditional Scottish Kilt
From the 16th to 18th century, the kilt was worn by Scottish highlanders in everyday life. During this period, kilts were made from a single length of material that was formed into pleats, wrapped around the waist, and secured with a belt. This kilt style was known as the feileadh mòr or great kilt and was a full-body garment. In 1746, the Dress Act was passed which outlawed the wearing of kilt and anything tartan for people in the highlands. This was in response to a series of revolts against the British government by Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Highlanders. The Act was repealed in 1782 but until then, the kilt essentially vanished from daily highland life. However, thanks to the efforts of a few Highland aristocrats, the kilt’s popularity resurged in the later part of the 1800s and has now become the national dress of Scotland. In Scotland, kilts are a common sight, but what about outside of Scotland?
How to wear a kilt casually
With up to 40 million people worldwide who claim to have Scottish ancestry, kilts are becoming a more common sight, especially in places like the United States and Canada. So, can you wear a kilt to Walmart or to a baseball game? Sure! There are different ways to style a kilt, so while wearing a full kilt outfit for a simple outing is totally fine, there are casual ways to wear a kilt. The most traditional casual option for wearing your kilt is by pairing it with a ghillie shirt. Ghillie shirts are a modern take on an ancient version of the Scottish shirt. They are light and comfortable, making them popular in warmer climates. For the cooler months, pairing a kilt with a woollen jumper is a stylish and comfortable choice. Many people in Scotland also wear kilts to sporting events and they wear their kilt with a team shirt, so why not wear a kilt to a baseball game? In all casual cases, which accessories you decide to wear is completely up to you. We do however find wearing a day sporran and ghillie boots an exceptionally stylish look.
Wearing a kilt to a formal occasion
When planning to attend a formal occasion in a kilt, you have a few options in terms of outfit choice. Your first option is to go traditional by choosing to wear a Prince Chalie or Argyll jacket. The Prince Charlie is considered the most formal highlandwear jacket as its design is based on the doublet, which was popular in the 17th century. It has a short-cut design and features tails at the back. The Argyll on the other hand is more akin to modern suit jackets but features gauntlet cuffs and epaulettes on the shoulders. These jacket options are a great choice for black-tie-level events. A slightly less formal and slightly more modern option is to pair your kilt with a tweed jacket. Tweed jackets are a contemporary alternative to the more traditional jacket styles. They are available in a variety of colours and styles, making them a brilliant option for creating a bespoke look. For formal events, a dress sporran is usually the best option and while there are no rules about weaning semi or day sporrans at formal settings, a dress sporran looks best. A formal highlandwear outfit should also include all other accessories such as brogues, kilt socks, sgian dubh, and a kilt pin. For grooms, a plaid could also be added to the outfit. Plaids represent the top half of the great kilt and are usually reserved for people of importance at an event.
How to buy a kilt online
This all sounds great if you have your own kilt but for those who are outside of Scotland without a kilt, what are your options to get one? Well, at MacGregor and MacDuff we have made it easier than ever for people around the world to buy highlandwear. Our global delivery partners take care of the logistics of making sure that anything you buy on our website gets delivered safely and our customer service team is always on hand to answer any questions you have. However, what really sets us apart from the rest is our Virtual Kilt Fitting Service. Now you can get the kilt shop experience without ever leaving your home. Connecting with one of our stylists over a video call, you will receive the same level of service as you would if you visited us in person. Our stylist walks you through each step of the buying process, helping you find your ideal highlandwear style and guiding you through our range of over 4,000 tartans. They will also assist you in measuring yourself, ensuring that once your items arrive, everything fits perfectly. Our Virtual Kilt Fitting Service is a great opportunity for people all over the world to get authentic, made-in-Scotland highlandwear without the risk of buying it online by yourself. Don’t let oceans and borders stop you from finding your dream highlandwear outfit, book a Virtual Kilt Fitting Today.