The Dress Act of 1746 banned the wearing of Highland dress, including kilts and tartan, in response to the Jacobite uprising. Highland clans, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, sought to restore the Stuart crown but ultimately lost. As punishment, the British government aimed to dismantle Highland and clan culture through the Dress Act. Repealed in 1782, the repeal spurred aristocratic Scots to establish Highland societies to celebrate their heritage.
Before the Dress Act, kilts were primarily worn by Highlanders. However, the decades following its repeal saw a surge in kilt-wearing for formal occasions among Scots nationwide. Initially, kilts were a luxury item affordable only to the wealthy.
Today, kilts are much more affordable and popular at formal events like Scottish weddings and Burns Suppers. Scots wear kilt outfits to express Scottish pride and honor their heritage. A kilt serves as a tangible connection to Scotland's vibrant history, and wearing a kilt in your family tartan celebrates clan heritage. While historical kilts were utilitarian, modern kilts are ceremonial and deeply rooted in Scottish tradition.
Why did Scots start wearing kilts?
Before Scots started wearing kilts, they wore tunics and long, loose-fitting shirts, similar to what most northern and western Europeans wore. The shift to kilts was prompted by the Highland terrain and climate. The Highlands are rugged and damp, making tunics impractical for trudging through the landscape. The great kilt, made from tightly woven wool, offered better protection against the cold and damp. This long piece of material was versatile: it could be adjusted for comfort while sleeping and easily removed for drying. The great kilt's adaptability and practicality made it an ideal garment for Highlanders in challenging conditions.
What type of kilts are there?
The great kilt, or Feileadh Mòr, was the first iteration of the kilt. It was a large piece of cloth, hand-pleated and wrapped around the wearer's body. The little kilt, or fèileadh beag, replaced it and closely resembles the modern kilt. While you can still buy a length of cloth to create your own great kilt, most people prefer to buy traditional machine-made or handmade kilts from a kiltmaker.
Machine-made kilts are generally more affordable as they require less time to produce. However, the beauty of a handmade kilt lies in its flexibility; the stitching can be undone, allowing the kilt to be resized. When choosing a kilt, consider your long-term needs. If you anticipate changes in your body shape, investing in a handmade kilt now may save you from buying a new one later.
When are kilts worn?
The kilt would have been an everyday item of clothing in highland life but these days kits are reserved for most formal Scottish occasions and some sporting events. The most common place you’ll find people wearing kilts is at a wedding, Scottish weddings are usually filled with tartan and tweed in a range of traditional and contemporary outfit styles. The groom will often wear a plaid which is a piece of tartan that is draped over the shoulder. The plaid is actually representative of the upper half of the great kilt so it’s considered the most traditional highlandwear item and is usually only worn by the groom or a person of importance. Burns Suppers, Hogmanay, and pretty much any black-tie event is appropriate for a kilt.
If you’d like to own your own kilt or highlandwear outfit, check out our website or book a virtual appointment with one of our expert stylists to get started.
