21st Century Ankle-Length Kilts

[Nick]

I have to agree with the "non-traditionalists" mainly because traditionally there really isn't any sort of set length on the kilt. There are 16th and 17th century woodcuts and drawings that show several scotsmen wearing their kilts at all different lengths, including down to the ankles. I'd say it's all a matter of preference.

Personally, I generally prefer to wear my non-tailored kilt when I can.

At least the 16th century ones, and maybe even the 17th century ones, are you sure they're actually kilts? Kilts didn't appear until the middle or end of the 16th to begin with. Just wondering from a historian's standpoint.


I won't disagree with the "Live and let live" idea, but I still don't like them. The whole TFCK sort of turns me off towards TFCK. I like the work I've seen from Geoffrey (Taylor), and some of the TFCK stuff I like, esp. the pinstripe kilt. But other than that, it just isn't what I'm looking for.

[Caradoc]

Kilts didn't appear until the middle or end of the 16th to begin with.

"Kilts," or "belted plaids?"

[Nick]

I think we can call the "belted plaid" a kilt in this context.

[Caradoc]

I think we can call the "belted plaid" a kilt in this context.

In that case, 1590ish is the earliest I've been able to document what I'd call a "kilt" or "belted plaid," thanks to a German woodcut from that era, although it's entirely possible that it's a kilted leine and not a wrapped and belted plaid.

(In this context, a "kilted" leine would be one that's been belted up at the waist and the hanging folds pleated by gathering them into the belt.)

[Mithral]

In that case, 1590ish is the earliest I've been able to document what I'd call a "kilt" or "belted plaid," thanks to a German woodcut from that era, although it's entirely possible that it's a kilted leine and not a wrapped and belted plaid.

(In this context, a "kilted" leine would be one that's been belted up at the waist and the hanging folds pleated by gathering them into the belt.)

As I recall, the earliest documentable reference to kilt is in a book published in the 1590's. It probably fair to conjecture that the belted plaid existed before the 1590's but since it doesn't appear in any sort of writing until that point, that's when it exists. The earliest picture of any sort of a belted plaid was done in the 1600's. I should've been more specific about my dates but there is a woodcut or a drawing of 4 men in plaids and they are wearing them in extremely different ways. One has the bottom hem down 'round his ankles.

Would love to see some of the woodcuts. Can you give references to them either here or in a private email.

certainly http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...lted-plaid.jpg
For more info about early kilt wear, check this place out http://www.albanach.org/

[macwilkin]

For more info about early kilt wear, check this place out http://www.albanach.org/

Or just ask him -- Matt Newsome is a frequent poster on Xmarks.

Cheers,

Todd

[Caradoc]

As I recall, the earliest documentable reference to kilt is in a book published in the 1590's. (snip) For more info about early kilt wear, check this place out http://www.albanach.org/

We're not in disagreement about the dates.

I'm well aware of Matt's website - he's got my own website in amongst his reviews.

[Mithral]

We're not in disagreement about the dates.

I'm well aware of Matt's website - he's got my own website in amongst his reviews.

Yeah, not sure why I felt I needed to quote you in my post now that I look at it.

And the link was for Kiltman. Good to hear your own stuff is there though, I'll check that out.