If you are located in an Asian country, you might find the word “kilt” unique. We have noticed many of these in many ancient-inspired movies and we might speculate what are use of those kilts is. When did they consider using it and what is the purpose of these? A Mens kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear. It is actually a traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. A men’s kilt is made of woolen cloth on a tartan pattern.

After 19th century, a kilt is most often worn on formal occasions and Highland games and sports events. It has also been adapted and used as an item of fashionable informal male clothing in the recent years which made it roots as an everyday garment.

History of Kilts

The history started on the 16th century. The first ever kilt was used and first came out as the belted plaid or was called great kilt. It is a full length garment whose upper half can be worn as a cloak draped over the shoulder or sometimes carried up over head as a cloak.

The modern kilts that we are encountering nowadays did not develop until the late 17th or early 18th century. It is also called the small kilt or a walking kilt.

The word kilt comes from the Scots (the Germanic language of Lowland Scotland and Ulster) word, which means to fold up the clothes around the body. They actually based it from the word “kjalta” form Norse settlers who wore a similar pleated garment.

What is the use of kilts?

A tartan kilt places each person wearing it as a member of a specific family group or clan.

Kilts have become the powerful symbol of Scottish identity, history and culture. It has been worn by government troops from 1624 by the Independent Companies of Highlanders.

A kilt is truly a symbolic representation of Scottish belief and history. They have been using it from 16th century and still using it nowadays. It has been a part of Scottish identity.

Dress Act of 1746

The Jacobite Risings, a political movement in Britain, from 1689 to 1746. A government made by King George II, imposed the outlawing all items of Highland clans such as the kilts who intends to control the highland culture.

The restriction was raised in 1782 after 36 years, by Highland landowner who aims to improve and promote the general use of the ancient Highland dress.

Conclusion

Mens kilts are the description of Scottish culture and history. Kings and elite class of the country used to be dressed in it. It is their one way of valuing their history and culture. It has affected many people from different categories, cultures and religions. Kilts have been widely used in Scotland as an appreciation of their rich history.

A modern kilt is an adaption of the uniforms worn by British soldiers centuries ago, a kilt may not be a National costume in the European sense, but it is certainly a distinctive costume of British Gaels and their successors all over the world.