Too Traditional?

[ThistleDown]

I was under the impression that -- for the better part of the twentieth century -- the majority of kilt wearers in Scotland would have owned only one kilt and it would have been a hand sewn, heavy weight, worsted wool, knife pleated, 8ish yards, clan tartan kilt aka a tank. Given that such a garment is precious, it would only have been worn for special occasions. Some lucky folks may have had another older, probably inherited kilt for bashing around in, but the advent of casual or pub kilts is a fairly recent phenomenon. Is this perhaps, not entirely true?

Yes, that was the way in Scotland for much of the 20C just as it was in North America and elsewhere, Colin. As Jock says, it is difficult to properly explain. It is not that it is or ever was "traditional" in the Highlands to own just one kilt, but for most of us it was economically impossible to own more than one -- unless we inherited, which I did and I believe Jock did, too. Many others I know had the same good fortune. But the fact is that until very, very recently, there was not the wherewithall to have closets full of clothing, Highland or not. We largely made do with what we had and that was the tradition. In many ways it has remained so to today.

There is little wealth in Highland Scotland and for most of us items of clothing are of very good quality because quality tends to last longer. But quality also costs more, so we have fewer items in total and we repair and make do with those that become damaged. Generally speaking we are a country folk; the kilt has no place in the mucking of a chicken coop, the mending of a road, or the digging of a sodden garden when there are hardier items designed for just those purposes.

We don't so much reserve the kilt for special occasions as allow the occasion, special or otherwise, to select the appropriate clothing for us. With a bit more disposable income we may buy a second or third kilt and allow earlier ones to hang in the closet more often. We don't wear Highland dress more frequently, therefore, but we do have an enlarged selection to choose from.

Instead of a Highland Games let's look at a Highland Game Fair because you don't have those in North America. There will be a few kilts around worn with jackets and ties and some with heavy jumpers (and ties), and there will be shooting, stalking and fishing attire worn in the Highland fashion. There will be children with faces painted, farmers in old tweed jackets, corduroy trousers and wellies, city folk on an outing in t-shirts, tatty jeans and brand new trainers. The new gentry will be there in fine tweeds from Bruar and Johnson's and the older gentry in well-worn hand-me-downs. There will even be a few young stags strutting about admiring their reflections and shadows. All are welcome and mingle without comment.

The occasion and its relevance is an individual thing. Sound familiar?