Friday, June 25th, 2010
So you want to look manly in traditional Scottish garb? Well, now that you’ve found that perfect kilt or tartan, you should learn how to wear it properly. Here are some tips:
- The pleated section of your kilt belongs in the rear, as it is primarily used to provide a nice bit of cushion for sitting on, and a kilt with pleats in the front is a telltale sign of someone who failed to put it on correctly.
- After laying the pleats in the back, pull the under apron from right to left, passing its strap through the hole, and buckle it. The top apron should be loose now, ready for you to wrap it over your right hip from left to right, buckle and line up the top edges together.
- Kilts are worn just under the rib cage and they are designed to hang to the top or middle of the knees, depending on where you want them. The straps allow for easy side-to-side adjustments, and again, remember that the double apron section should always be in front. (more…)
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Monday, April 26th, 2010
Traditional Scottish clothing is characterised by the appearance of tartan or ‘plaid’ patterns in some form. Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Originally it was made from woven cloth, but now additional materials are also used.
Until the middle of the 19th century, highland tartans were associated with regions or districts, rather than by any specific clan or family. This was due to the fact that the designs were produced by local weavers, with a limited range of local dyes and for local tastes.
[photo by: Lee Carson]
Male Scottish dress includes a kilt or ‘trews’, sporrans and gillie brogues.
The kilt is a knee-length ‘skirt’ with pleats at the rear. It was first worn in the 16th century, by men and boys in the Scottish Highlands. It is typically made from one piece of fabric that is wrapped around and fastened at the side. (more…)
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
If you’ve ever attended a traditional Scottish celebration such as a ceilidh, you may have seen gentlemen wearing loose fitting cotton shirts with a leather laced opening around the throat. These shirts are known as Ghillie or Jacobean shirts, and are a big part of traditional Scottish clothing.
They are the more informal accompaniment to the kilt, and were originally designed to be comfortable for dancing or other physical activities. Many kilt wearers prefer them to the more restrictive and formal waist coat and shirt combination that is also worn with a kilt.
One main feature of the ghillie shirt is the leather lacing starting from the middle of the shirt and running up to the throat. This sets it apart from other loose cotton shirts. Although the ghillie shirt is most commonly known as an accompaniment to a kilt, it predates the kilt and has many other modern uses. These shirts are popular among many history fans and historical reenacters, including Renaissance fair performers.
Of course, a ghillie shirt can worn many other times as well. It is particularly suited for a semi formal occasion, such as a first date. It has a certain charm that other long sleeved cotton shirts lack, and can look especially dashing on men with a more rugged style and features. It’s also great under a suit coat, or for even formal occasions such as a wedding, as long as the rest of the outfit is more conservative. The ghillie shirt is a versatile piece of clothing, with a deep history and the style to continue to be popular.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010
What is it about kilts that most people find intriguing? Kilts are one of the most recognizable pieces of national dress in the world. They may look like skirts, but are worn by soldiers of the Highland regiments, men not known to be sissies. Many women find men in kilts irresistibly sexy, plus there’s that whole “what do they wear under their kilts” question.
Kilts as we know them have only been in existence for a few hundred years. Ancient Scots wore tunics like most men in that time period. A garment of woven wool called a belted plaid was worn over the tunic as a sort of outer garment, coat, and traveling blanket all wrapped up in one. Due to the length, they were pleated, wrapped about the body, and belted. This was the beginning of the kilt.
Kilts are now available in many tartans, representing clans such as Stewart or McDonald. For many years they were only worn on special occasions or by the military, but they are now becoming more and more popular for daily wear. Most men find them quite comfortable. Unlike the tight pants that many men wear, they are not constricting at all. They are comfortable all year round–warm in winter and breezy in summer. (more…)
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Tartan and kilts are defenitely not boring. Just check this out.
Up Your Kilt
[photo by: robynejay]
Kilted Beer
[photo by: Meggrs]
TartanFlies
[photo by: e.mel87]
Kilted Plain
[photo by Bob the courier]
Lego Highland Dancers
[photo by: Rob Young] (more…)
Posted in Culture in Scotland, Customs, Kilts, People from Scotland, Scottish goods | No Comments »
Monday, March 1st, 2010
When choosing pieces to add to your wardrobe, the classic stylings of tweed can add to your collection in a way that will last for many years. Tweed has been used in fashion for decades, but it is interesting to note that its origins are actually very humble.
[photo by: Adam UXB Smith]
Tweed jackets and clothing was worn originally by folks who lived in the countryside and was well suited for jackets to keep the wearer toasty warm in the bleakest of conditions. (more…)
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Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
There was a lot said about kilts and their history. But some facts might not be known more commonly. And kilts is that type of cloth that has an interesting history and many secret facts that is worth to know.
Irish says that there were the one that first gave Scots this type of wearing. So do English people – they also see themselves as kilts inventors and give themselves a credit for this outfit. And what is the truth?
There are some evidence that shows Irish men and English men as the kilt first wearers. Even evidences from 11th centuries. Unfortunately, those evidence aren’t written one but also pictures that are showing probably something else than kilts. So what was the first real document about kilt?
First mentions about feilidh-malo or balted plaid (type of woollen cloth) was found in “Life of Red Hugh O’Donnell” by Lughaidha O’Clery from 16th century. More specifically this cloth was a heavy shawl that
was worn from the top to the bottom of the body, bounding it. (more…)
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Friday, January 8th, 2010
- Image via Wikipedia
Wanna sew a kilt? Take these few easy steps and you will have your own simple kilt.
First purchase a tartan, a plaid, woven cloth fabric. The best tartan fabrics are found in Scotland, but a reasonable facsimile can also be purchased in any fabric store in the world.
You will need to know the measurements of the hips and the waist of the person who will be donning your Scottish masterpiece. You will also need to know the length from the hip to the knee. These measurements will determine the size of the tartan you will need to purchase. (more…)
Posted in Culture in Scotland, General informations, Kilts, Scottish goods | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Fashion trends come and go- season in and season out- new colors, styles and fabrics find their way into department stores and boutiques. Before you head to choose your new wardrobe of fall fashions, you need to know what’s hot and what’s not. One popular look for fall is plaid. Before you think that may be too much for you, here are some options to sneak this hot fall had into your wardrobe (without looking like a little school girl).
You don’t have to be part of a clan or play the bagpipes to wear plaid. And, this year’s fall fashions have laid in all colors – not just the traditional red and green. You can get black and white, pink and black, purple and white- think of a color combination and you’ll find it. Patterns are popular in all sizes too. Small or large, you can choose the pattern that looks best on you.
In outerwear, plaid coats are hot right now. Pair a checkered pea coat or blazer with a turtleneck. If that’s too much, drape a tartan scarf around a solid coat or wrap it around your waist for a belt. There’s also the classic pleated mini that looks great with solid opaque tights and some ankle boots, which are in fashion this fall too. Pair a plaid jumper with a solid turtleneck and opaque tights. There are so many options available to you with this trend because it is such a classic look. (more…)
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
One of the main problems I saw was the fact that kilts were being old for £20 or less. Well it doesn’t take a genius to work out that these are not exactly the real deal when a normal kilt can cost anything from £250 upwards. There is a place for all sorts of products in the world but I see a lot more underlying problems with these garments and those like them and I would like to discuss them with you further.
Firstly, I would like to describe an authentic Scottish kilt. As there are many professional kiltmakers in Scotland obviously slight manufacturing differences will exist between them. What I am describing is a “standard” type of traditional Scottish kilt that has been manufactured by tradesmen throughout the centuries. (more…)
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