return of traditional kiltwearing?

[OC Richard]

Last weekend was the first time that Southern California's largest Highland Games has happened since 2019.

I know part of it was the weather- on Saturday morning it was damp and cool- but I was struck by the goodly proportion of men wearing traditional Highland Dress.

Tweed kilt jackets were everywhere to be seen, as were traditional wool kilts, and vintage and traditional sporrans.

This is in contrast to the pre-Covid trend I was seeing here of Utilikilts taking over.

I wonder if the same thing has been happening in other places, or if we're an outlier.

[ASinclair]

Hi, Richard. We were lucky to have two Games last year here in North Carolina, and all the Games are on for this year. At the two last year and the two I've done so far this year, I didn't notice a significant increase in traditional kilt wearing. The clan tent folks generally wear tartan, and most of the attendees that are kilted wear tartan. You still see many non-tartan kilts, though.

[Macman]

Now that you mention it, Richard, that's what I would say about our recent Highland Games a couple of weeks ago. It was the first full games since 2019. I didn't notice any non-tartan kilts, and by far the majority of the tartan kilts were worn traditionally. It was warm (for here, anyway) and there were golf shirts, T-shirts and jackets.

[Pleater]

Although black kilts became popular with the border morris dance teams in the fairly recent past here in the UK they always had trouble with the sizing and so various vendors of more traditionally made kilts emerged to provide fitted versions.
The usual border morris kit was almost entirely black, but gradually more colours crept in, particularly for the tatter jackets, which have become longer in the very recent dance seasons and more and more tartan kilts are appearing at festivals and online.

My team, Anonymous Morris were out dancing today and although the air was quite cool many of them were very overheated by the end of the two sessions, so it is easy to see why the kilt is so popular. As a musician I wear an ankle length black kilt in a lightweight material. I am, unfortunately very occupied at events, so do not have time to take photos, but there are definitely more kits around, and we see them in the audience as well as on dancers, particularly n the warmer weather.

Anne the Pleater

[Allan Thomson]

Although black kilts became popular with the border morris dance teams in the fairly recent past here in the UK they always had trouble with the sizing and so various vendors of more traditionally made kilts emerged to provide fitted versions.
The usual border morris kit was almost entirely black, but gradually more colours crept in, particularly for the tatter jackets, which have become longer in the very recent dance seasons and more and more tartan kilts are appearing at festivals and online.

My team, Anonymous Morris were out dancing today and although the air was quite cool many of them were very overheated by the end of the two sessions, so it is easy to see why the kilt is so popular. As a musician I wear an ankle length black kilt in a lightweight material. I am, unfortunately very occupied at events, so do not have time to take photos, but there are definitely more kits around, and we see them in the audience as well as on dancers, particularly n the warmer weather.

Anne the Pleater

I'm intrigued why a dance group allegedly trying to reflect and preserve folk customs and traditions would want to wear a kilt beyond the fact that it looks good when worn well? Surely it's giving the wrong idea to the target audience?

As we well know neither the belted plaid nor the Phillabeg was not the 'historic costume' of the Scottish let alone the English side of the borders. Is it just an attempt to 'celtify' (in the 'modern tradition' of Kilts being worn by Cornish and Welsh people or Irish in Liue of a Leine? Or indeed Lowlanders in a kilt) Surely Breeks are 'more traditional'?

[Pleater]

I'm intrigued why a dance group allegedly trying to reflect and preserve folk customs and traditions would want to wear a kilt beyond the fact that it looks good when worn well? Surely it's giving the wrong idea to the target audience?

As we well know neither the belted plaid nor the Phillabeg was not the 'historic costume' of the Scottish let alone the English side of the borders. Is it just an attempt to 'celtify' (in the 'modern tradition' of Kilts being worn by Cornish and Welsh people or Irish in Liue of a Leine? Or indeed Lowlanders in a kilt) Surely Breeks are 'more traditional'?

The black kilt actually lends itself well to the concept of Border Morris - which is firmly in the realm of the folk revival, though a small number of written records and reports do exist from well before then.

Across the middle of England there is the Cotswold tradition in the centre - the ones who look like cricketers, in white, and to the East and West rather different and uncanny sides where things were darker - to the East there are the Molly gangs, hob nail boots, corduroys and a generally agricultural flavour usually danced by large heavy men - even the one in the frock and bonnet.

To the West, on the WELSH border the kit comprises tatters - usually a shirt adorned with either black or a mix of black and coloured strips of cloth which flutter and swirl during the dance. Some will wear trousers, some tights or leggings with skirts, shorts or kilts of various lengths, all black - black boots or shoes or trainers complete the look, and some sides still 'black up' their faces, though these days it is often misunderstood why and some - mine is one of them, do not use face paint, others have changed to green or blue and patterns which are rather striking.
They carry short sticks and clash them together, the music is fast and furious and drums are a major feature. The more traditional teams wear pheasant feathers in their hats to indicate that they will more than likely be doing a bit of trespass and poaching on the way home if the generosity of the audience is lacking - or maybe they will do it anyway, just as they feel.

Anne the Pleater

[grizzbass]

I'd prefer the more traditional but shooting the games I find the pockets very helpful. Having been born in cold weather country and lived in 4 seasons country most of my life I can't wear a jacket down here. It's way too hot.