Scottish traditional costume 'Kilt'

▶ Scottish traditional costume 'Kilt'

'Kilt' is a symbol of honor for the clan which they belong. I found that 'Kilt' is more than just a covering. It allowed those who wore it to move much more freely. When the armies of the past were fighting in Scotland, 'Kilt' with its pleat helped protect the soldier. When the nights became cold, this garment was easily removed and spread out to create a blanket to keep the person who owned it warm. Today 'Kilt' is the national dress of Scotland and worn by many. The various plaids that one can see from time to time are the colors of the particular clan that the wearer belongs to. 

  The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly. It is most often made of woollen cloth in a tartan pattern. 

 Design and Construction 

  The Scottish kilt displays uniqueness of design, construction, and convention which differentiate it from other garments fitting the general description. It is a tailored garment that is wrapped around the wearer's body at the natural waist starting from one side (usually the wearer's left), around the front and back and across the front again to the opposite side. The fastenings consist of straps and buckles on both ends, the strap on the inside end usually passing through a slit in the waistband to be buckled on the outside; alternatively it may remain inside the waistband and be buckled inside.

  A kilt covers the body from the waist down to the centre of the knees. The overlapping layers in front are called "aprons" and are flat; the single layer of fabric around the sides and back is pleated. Underwear may or may not be worn, as the wearer prefers, although tradition has it that a "true Scotsman" should wear nothing under his kilt. 

Styles of kilt wear 

  Today most Scottish people regard kilts as formal dress or national dress. Although there are still a few people who wear a kilt daily, it is generally owned or hired to be worn at weddings or other formal occasions and may be worn by anyone regardless of nationality or descent. For formal wear, kilts are usually worn with a Prince Charlie or an Argyll jacket. Kilts are also used for parades by groups such as the Boys' Brigade and Scouts, and in many places kilts are seen in force at Highland games and pipe band championships as well as being worn at Scottish country dances and ceilidhs.

－source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilt