Understanding The Tartance Of Kilts In Scottish Culture
Kilts are a knee-length pleated skirt worn by men in Scotland and by Scottish regiments in the British armies. This item of clothing, which has been a very important part of Scottish culture, is still widely used today in formal occasions, sporting events, and recently, in everyday fashionable informal clothing for men.
Before we begin talking about the kilt, we need to first have an understanding of the tartan. A tartan is a pattern made of criss-crossed bands of many different colors. Many American people refer to this pattern as plaid, but in Scotland, plaid is known as a blanket or a tartan cloth used as a kilt accessory (“Tartan”). Though this pattern started on woven wool, it is now often seen in many different types of fabrics. When …show more content…
you see this pattern, you will notice the visible diagonal lines where the colors used are crossed. This gives the appearance of new colors blended for the original ones. These blended colors that form the boxes are known as a sett. The shades formed, though, can be changed in order to make similar yet different modification of the same tartan (Tartan”). These variations that refer to the color only include the modern, ancient, and muted. The modern represents color produced using chemical dye. This chemical dye is used because it is more economic and easier to use than natural dye. It also produced a darker color. The modern color sets are made of blue, black, and green which are often obscured. Ancient refers to the lighter shades of the tartan which are supposed to look like colors that has been aged over time. Muted is a shade between modern and ancient (“Tartan”). This is the most modern shade of the tartans. It seems to be the closest match compared to theshades produced from the natural dyes in earlier tartan patterns. Some people say that different colors of the tartans mean different things. Others, though, think this is a modern idea. For example, red tartans were worn at battle.
The outfit known as the kilt is said to be an adaption of the Roman Toga of ancient Rome. Scottish highlanders were in need of an outfit that was warm but also unrestrictive. As a result, came the Scottish kilt. The original form of the kilt was a simple garment, in no need of tailoring and seldom needed replacing. The kilt was first seen in Scotland in the 1500s. Scotland had few roads before the industrial revolution, so traveling was done either by foot or by pony so Scotsmen needed clothing that kept them warm and dry but also be mobile. The Highlands can be especially treacherous in some places due to the high winds, cold temperatures, and rocky areas. Kilts are very warm because they are made out of wool. Kilts are long enough to be used as a blanket when camping overnight. The United Kingdom is known for precipitation, and wool doesn’t get wet, making the kilt even more fitting to the Scottish Highlands. Kilts are also a way of showing rebellion; Kilts were banned in 1745 by Britain due to an uprising that threatened the control of Scotland. The Scots are known to be passionate countrymen, so anything they can do to support their country they do, enhancing the popularity of the kilts. Kilts are dominated by three colors: red, green, and blue. Kilts normally have one solid background color and interlocking lines consisting of different colors. The lines loosely form a checkered pattern, defined earlier as tartan. Kilts are shaped like a woman’s skirt, but the length of kilts is stagnant at just below the knee. Since kilts have no pockets, Scotsmen can be seen wearing a sporran hanging around his waist. Sporrans are usually made of leather. The Scottish kilt is one of the most culturally iconic articles of clothing on the planet.
When one sees a kilt, one immediately thinks of Scotland and all things Scottish. When a Scott is wearing one, he is showing pride for his country. A specific tartan and kilt combination could mean that something culturally significant is happening. The pattern in which a kilt has is commonly symbolic of something greater. Kilts were worn by Scottish soldiers. Women of all ages usually stray away from kilts. If they are seen wearing a kilt, it is usually one that extends down to the ankle. Dresses worn by Scottish women are commonly dominated by white. If one is wealthy, one can be seen wearing a kilt of great color. For someone who is poor, bland kilts are common. Scots of the lowest classes most commonly wear brown kilts. The Scottish kilt is virtually unaffected by race because Scotland is ninety-six percent white.
People commonly believe that the kilt as being the traditional and ancient dress of Ireland and that it was later introduced to Scotland, but there is no historical records supporting this. Some get confused about the kilt’s possible origin because there are many stone carvings and monuments in Ireland of figures wearing clothing similar to a kilt, what the figure is actually wearing is a leine, or an Irish tunic. The confusion also derives from the fact that a leine extends the same length of a kilt, but the two are in no way related and a leine cannot be called an early form of the kilt. The kilt is seen as the national outfit of Scotland, but it wasn’t always like that. The kilt began as an outfit that was worn by the highlanders, people who lived in the Scottish Highlands. The lowlanders, those who didn’t live in the highlands, were disgusted by the kilt. They considered anyone who wore a kilt as barbaric and uncivilized.
Modern day kilts seem to on the rise of popularity.
You can see kilts worn as costumes, or even in restaurants. It is important, though, to know how to wear a kilt because wearing a kilt wrong can be disrespectful to its heritage. One of the most important things to remember when wearing a kilt is that it should never be longer than the top of the knee. (“How to Wear a Kilt”) There are many different items that make up the appropriate kilt wear, but there are many different combinations you can use in order to personalize your complete outfit. First, for the shirt, one should wear a plain white shirt with an attached collar, or a wing collar with a black bowtie is acceptable. (“How to Wear a Kilt”) Kilt hose are also important. “The turnover of the hose should be just above the calf but lower than the lowest part of the knee” in order to properly wear these socks (“How to Wear a Kilt”). The tights color is important and should be cream or black. White hose should not be worn unless you are a part of a military function. If garter flashes are being used, they should be clipped on and unfolded to show about two inches of the pattern on the outside of the stock (“How to Wear a Kilt”). A Sgian Dubh, which is a black knife or dagger, should be tucked into the right stocking, and if left-handed, it can being tucked into the left stocking is acceptable (“How to Wear a Kilt”). If it has a crest, it should be facing outwards. As for shoes, Ghillie brogues are commonly worn (“How to Wear a Kilt”). These shoes have laces which are very long and also have an appropriate way to be tied. Lastly, “the kilt is wrapped around the waist and is secured by straps and buckles, with the pleats at the back” (“How to Wear a Kilt”). It should be pulled on from the right to the left., as you can see, there are many rules that make up the kilt. If not done properly, the kilt will not have the same meaning.
.
Scottish kilts and tartans have seemed to develop their own personality. The pattern of clothing has become specific to Scotland and is worn by Scottish regiments, is worn for special occasions, and is worn for everyday clothing by some Scotsmen. The kilt has influenced the country of Scotland in such a dramatic way. The kilt became a symbol of Scotland. It allowed for Scotsmen to be able to patriotic to their country and also loyal to their clan. The Scottish kilt and tartan is something that will never go out of style.
Before we begin talking about the kilt, we need to first have an understanding of the tartan. A tartan is a pattern made of criss-crossed bands of many different colors. Many American people refer to this pattern as plaid, but in Scotland, plaid is known as a blanket or a tartan cloth used as a kilt accessory (“Tartan”). Though this pattern started on woven wool, it is now often seen in many different types of fabrics. When …show more content…
you see this pattern, you will notice the visible diagonal lines where the colors used are crossed. This gives the appearance of new colors blended for the original ones. These blended colors that form the boxes are known as a sett. The shades formed, though, can be changed in order to make similar yet different modification of the same tartan (Tartan”). These variations that refer to the color only include the modern, ancient, and muted. The modern represents color produced using chemical dye. This chemical dye is used because it is more economic and easier to use than natural dye. It also produced a darker color. The modern color sets are made of blue, black, and green which are often obscured. Ancient refers to the lighter shades of the tartan which are supposed to look like colors that has been aged over time. Muted is a shade between modern and ancient (“Tartan”). This is the most modern shade of the tartans. It seems to be the closest match compared to theshades produced from the natural dyes in earlier tartan patterns. Some people say that different colors of the tartans mean different things. Others, though, think this is a modern idea. For example, red tartans were worn at battle.
The outfit known as the kilt is said to be an adaption of the Roman Toga of ancient Rome. Scottish highlanders were in need of an outfit that was warm but also unrestrictive. As a result, came the Scottish kilt. The original form of the kilt was a simple garment, in no need of tailoring and seldom needed replacing. The kilt was first seen in Scotland in the 1500s. Scotland had few roads before the industrial revolution, so traveling was done either by foot or by pony so Scotsmen needed clothing that kept them warm and dry but also be mobile. The Highlands can be especially treacherous in some places due to the high winds, cold temperatures, and rocky areas. Kilts are very warm because they are made out of wool. Kilts are long enough to be used as a blanket when camping overnight. The United Kingdom is known for precipitation, and wool doesn’t get wet, making the kilt even more fitting to the Scottish Highlands. Kilts are also a way of showing rebellion; Kilts were banned in 1745 by Britain due to an uprising that threatened the control of Scotland. The Scots are known to be passionate countrymen, so anything they can do to support their country they do, enhancing the popularity of the kilts. Kilts are dominated by three colors: red, green, and blue. Kilts normally have one solid background color and interlocking lines consisting of different colors. The lines loosely form a checkered pattern, defined earlier as tartan. Kilts are shaped like a woman’s skirt, but the length of kilts is stagnant at just below the knee. Since kilts have no pockets, Scotsmen can be seen wearing a sporran hanging around his waist. Sporrans are usually made of leather. The Scottish kilt is one of the most culturally iconic articles of clothing on the planet.
When one sees a kilt, one immediately thinks of Scotland and all things Scottish. When a Scott is wearing one, he is showing pride for his country. A specific tartan and kilt combination could mean that something culturally significant is happening. The pattern in which a kilt has is commonly symbolic of something greater. Kilts were worn by Scottish soldiers. Women of all ages usually stray away from kilts. If they are seen wearing a kilt, it is usually one that extends down to the ankle. Dresses worn by Scottish women are commonly dominated by white. If one is wealthy, one can be seen wearing a kilt of great color. For someone who is poor, bland kilts are common. Scots of the lowest classes most commonly wear brown kilts. The Scottish kilt is virtually unaffected by race because Scotland is ninety-six percent white.
People commonly believe that the kilt as being the traditional and ancient dress of Ireland and that it was later introduced to Scotland, but there is no historical records supporting this. Some get confused about the kilt’s possible origin because there are many stone carvings and monuments in Ireland of figures wearing clothing similar to a kilt, what the figure is actually wearing is a leine, or an Irish tunic. The confusion also derives from the fact that a leine extends the same length of a kilt, but the two are in no way related and a leine cannot be called an early form of the kilt. The kilt is seen as the national outfit of Scotland, but it wasn’t always like that. The kilt began as an outfit that was worn by the highlanders, people who lived in the Scottish Highlands. The lowlanders, those who didn’t live in the highlands, were disgusted by the kilt. They considered anyone who wore a kilt as barbaric and uncivilized.
Modern day kilts seem to on the rise of popularity.
You can see kilts worn as costumes, or even in restaurants. It is important, though, to know how to wear a kilt because wearing a kilt wrong can be disrespectful to its heritage. One of the most important things to remember when wearing a kilt is that it should never be longer than the top of the knee. (“How to Wear a Kilt”) There are many different items that make up the appropriate kilt wear, but there are many different combinations you can use in order to personalize your complete outfit. First, for the shirt, one should wear a plain white shirt with an attached collar, or a wing collar with a black bowtie is acceptable. (“How to Wear a Kilt”) Kilt hose are also important. “The turnover of the hose should be just above the calf but lower than the lowest part of the knee” in order to properly wear these socks (“How to Wear a Kilt”). The tights color is important and should be cream or black. White hose should not be worn unless you are a part of a military function. If garter flashes are being used, they should be clipped on and unfolded to show about two inches of the pattern on the outside of the stock (“How to Wear a Kilt”). A Sgian Dubh, which is a black knife or dagger, should be tucked into the right stocking, and if left-handed, it can being tucked into the left stocking is acceptable (“How to Wear a Kilt”). If it has a crest, it should be facing outwards. As for shoes, Ghillie brogues are commonly worn (“How to Wear a Kilt”). These shoes have laces which are very long and also have an appropriate way to be tied. Lastly, “the kilt is wrapped around the waist and is secured by straps and buckles, with the pleats at the back” (“How to Wear a Kilt”). It should be pulled on from the right to the left., as you can see, there are many rules that make up the kilt. If not done properly, the kilt will not have the same meaning.
.
Scottish kilts and tartans have seemed to develop their own personality. The pattern of clothing has become specific to Scotland and is worn by Scottish regiments, is worn for special occasions, and is worn for everyday clothing by some Scotsmen. The kilt has influenced the country of Scotland in such a dramatic way. The kilt became a symbol of Scotland. It allowed for Scotsmen to be able to patriotic to their country and also loyal to their clan. The Scottish kilt and tartan is something that will never go out of style.