What is a nationality? Is it defined by paperwork and politics?

Where does ethnicity fit it? Is heritage part of nationality?

For me, identity trumps -- and yet is formed by -- nationality, ethnicity, heritage, culture, and education.

I find even the idea of a nation to be somewhat problematic because it assumes a stable geo-political body that is actually quite flexible. Furthermore, nations are rarely culturally homogeneous. Borders exist on maps but are not so clear in lived experience, and a passport can define a nationality that does not entirely reflect one's identity. "National attire" is therefor a somewhat hollow term because the meaning of nationality is still, in many cases, debatable.


Hopefully this discussion doesn't cross over into the political arena, but I quite agree. Culture, heritage, ethnicity, and plain old "identity" should never be defined by political borders which are drawn by strangers who, in most cases, have never even been to the actual place where they drew the line on the map. I would hope that as humankind moves forward towards a better future, we can leave such "nationalistic" garbage behind us. For the sake of cultural identity and defining who we are, at least.

America has long been known as the 'melting pot', but it's fair to say that we no longer hold that title alone. The UK as well as much of Europe has been thoroughly infiltrated (not using that term as a negative) by other cultures. And the UK more than anyone else has spread its own culture around the globe. The idea of a "national identity" or "national dress" being restricted within political borders at this point is rather futile. That ship has sailed (literally). It's too late.

Scottish culture was exported just like anything else. And Scottish (or more specifically, Highland) dress was exported right along with it. It is no longer just the national costume of Scotland. It belongs everywhere that Scots settled. I can certainly understand why some Scots might not like that idea, or want to keep it distinctly Scottish, but it would only be wishful thinking. And it would be an insult to all the Scots and their descendants who took it with them.

It should also be said that the adoption of the kilt as the "Scottish national costume" or "national dress" is a recent development. And it came WAY after our ancestors had already taken it with them to the New World. The proverbial cat was already out of the bag by the time they decided to claim it as only theirs.

To be blunt: the kilt is cultural dress. Culture follows people who emigrate. They and their descendants have every bit as much right to that culture as those who stayed.