Kilt

see also: Etymology of Kilt

The kilt is a traditional dress men of Scotland, worn as of others would carry a pants. The kilt is generally made of pure Laine with the coloured Motif S of a “tartan”. The origin of this word is prone to controversy. It is supposed that it is derived from French “tiretaine”. This term indicating however a fabric in woolen article and not a reason. The term Gaelic for Tartan, breacan ^* (" tacheté"), is much more speaking. The name “kilt” is undoubtedly of Scandinavian origin. The kilts name sometimes Philabegs filleadh beg ^*.

The Irish have also their kilts, either of plain color used mainly in the pipes-bands or at the time of the dances, or in Tartan, but with let us tons different from those of Scotland.

Other Celtic communities with the four corners of the sphere, particularly in America, developed their own reason for kilt (like the Celtic community of Summerside with the Island-of-Prince-Edouard, Canada), but the majority kept the tartan of their ancestors.

For the soldiers, the kilt is a heavy clothing from 7 to 8 meters of wool, heat, with the screens characteristic of a clan (or family, organization, city, area or country) and which goes down to the top from the knee. Today, the lighter kilts with 3 to 5 meters of fabric gain in popularity for the excursions, the balls (ceilidhs), and the football games and of Rugby (at the spectators, of course).

The kilt is flat by front, and folded with the back. A kind of purse, the escarcelle one ( sporran in English), held by a chain, is carried by the front. A pin of ornament ( spin , kilt-pine in English) maintains the side flat in bottom and on the right. Among women, the pin goes on the left.

Inside high the right Chaussette teases some (called “Hose”) is laid out a small knife, “Sgian Dubh”, is pronounced skin dou ^*.

Often, the kilt and its accessories are rented for the special occasionss, because the whole of the traditional costume is rather expensive.

The supporters of foot and Rugby carry it too.

There exists more than 5000 tartans of the various clans in Scotland.

To Canada, a military regiment carries the kilt, the Black Watch and certain historical regiments, inter alia the 78th Fraser Highlander.

Kilt today

The kilt became a usual behavior for the special occasionss, the marriages for example, in the same way that the Haut-de-forme and the Queue-de-pie in England, the Jaquette in France or the smoking in America. The kilt from now on is carried by whoever, it does not matter its nationality or its origins. Although it can go with a white Cravate (i.e. a jacket of frac), it is more usual to see it carried with a black tie (jacket of smoking).

The kilts became increasingly widespread like town clothes. It is not rare whole to see kilts making their appearance in pubs Scot and Irish, and it becomes increasingly frequent to see them on the work places. The kilt goes then with black Chaussure S, unbleached socks rolled on the shoe, and perhaps even a T-shirt. One can be a little more equipped while carrying a shirt buttoned and a Pull, and even a Veste of sport. The Sgian Dubh is generally omitted.

The modern kilt is box-pleated or knife-pleated, with the bent folds and bottom not going further that the medium from the knee. Nowadays fabrics lighter is often used.

The kilt is traditionally reserved to the men, although women are also vêtues of a kilt, or of Jupe S drawn according to kilts, and the women players of Cornemuse frequently carry kilts. Young women also wear Kilten skirts.

Like any kind of dress, the kilt is subjected to the whims of the mode. Since the Years 1980, kilts appeared in matters like the Cuir, the Jean, the Polyviscose, and the Acrylique. Plain colors were also used in the place of tartan, as well as reasons camouflage, snuff especially by the North-Americans. Even if this clothing can displease to the traditionalists, they bring the proof that the kilt always has its place in the world of the mode, and that it continues to evolve/move. -->

The kilts also made their appearance with the Wales and in Cornouailles for the special occasionss. In these two areas Celtic S, the kilt is closely associated with the movements of Celtic rebirth of XIXe and XXe centuries. Since 2001, the kilt made its appearance in Brittany, ground of origin of Stuarts, royal clan of Scotland, whose family goes down from Alain seneshal of Fraud (about 1045). There exist currently 12 Breton tartans of which Brittany National, Brittany Walking, Carry out it and 9 tartans for the traditional countries which compose Brittany: Kerne, Leon, Tregor, Gwened, Fraud, St Malo, Rennes, Nantes, St Brieuc. Since last year also, the Normandy has a tartan called “Normandy National” deposited very officially in Scotland and which commemorates the Normands mercenaries who were installed on the Scottish grounds, after the crowning of William the Conqueror. Some of them are in the beginning great dynasties like Sinclair or Menzies. This Normandy area which awakes its torpor discovers today that there exists still forty clans Scot of origin of the country of apples.

In the movement Punk there is also many people who carry the kilt although it is eclipsed by the Scottish pants. It is generally carried with safety shoes or boots of army, and a generally simple tee-shirt.

What to put under the kilt? One never should carry of lower part, since to do it would run up against the traditions. The majority of the kilt carriers have their own preference, and generally do not worry the EC what the others can carry (or not carry) under their kilt. The Uniform S carried by the members of several military regiments not putting up with lower part, the port of the kilt without underclothing is often described as “regimental”.

In certain circumstances, lower parts can appear necessary. It is often difficult with somebody who is not familiar of the port of the kilt particularly to preserve his decency when it carries it to the regimental one, by strong wind. One of the most former kilt manufacturers, as well as the oldest house of mail-order selling of Scotland, offer to the sale lower parts especially designed for the kilt, but the majority of the kilt carriers which put lower parts choose Caleçon S or traditional Slip S.

To finish, the decision to carry or not of the lower parts on certain occasions returns to the kilt carrier. Whatever its choice, which a gentleman carries under his kilt looks at only him. It is of rule that a quite high man is discrete on the question. Thus, the answer to a question about this subject can let guess the answer, but answers it seldom directly. The answer can also be “nothing is not damaged (in English worn means at the same time carried for a clothing and damaged ). All is in perfect operating condition”, or “of the shoes and the socks”. The Scot also have an answer done everything to this question of knowing what they carry under their kilt: “ The future off Scotland ” (future of Scotland).

^* Words in Scottish Gaelic .

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