The kilt

Since the 19th century, the kilt has become associated with the culture of Scotland. There is a belief of the kilt being the traditional dress of Ireland, introduced later in Scotland. However, the Irish monuments that date before the 11th century showed figures wearing a tunic, that could be mistaken for a kilt. Moreover, Irish writers did not mention the kilt in theirs works.

One of the earliest representations of the kilt is in a print dating 1630; the first kilt probably appeared during the 16th century. It has its origin in an old garment called “the belted plaid”. The original kilt was a simple cloth about 5 metres long, fasten with a belt and wore even to cover the superior part of the body during the winter. The pattern was used to identify the family or the clan for a sense of belonging. Only during the eighteen hundreds, the belted plaid began to be exchanged for the kilt.

After the defeat of 1746, the kilt was banned; nevertheless, it was assumed by the regiment of the Highlands fighting for the British army.

In 1783, the Dress Act lost many of the Scottish traditions and customs; who wore a plaid was considered a nationalist. At the present time, the kilt is worn in official occasions and sports events, but in recent years, it has also been adapted as an item of fashionable informal male clothing.