historical kilt wearing question...

[tashaar]

Not sure if this needs to go under advice or not, but...

Doing a little research here for a story I'm writing. Gotta character of Scots descent, generally British in 1902 who is getting married. I'm thinking it might be fun to have him wear a formal kilt for this wedding.

My understanding is, in the Victorian period there was resurgence of kilt wearing in Britain--a bit of romanticism of the time. Would a British gentleman of Scots descent actually go out of his way to own a proper kilt in his family tartan? Is that realistic?

And if so--is what he'd wear similar to what a man would wear now for a wedding?

Any help would be appreciated.

--tashaar
PS: I love men in kilts, that's why I'd love to do this.

[MacWage]

First, The title (as of typing says):
Historical QUILT wearing . . .
Do you mean: Historical KILT wearing . . .
(I am assuming so)

As for Victorian kilts, THAT was part of the first "kilt boom" and the source for many of our "modern" kilt traditions (modern in the sense of traditional today).
Many also wore tweed kilts (the source of Matt Newsome's tweed box kilts), as is shown repeatedly in Bob Martin's book.
If you are going to be using kilts in a story based on the turn of the century 1900,tou might like to get a copy of Erskine's book:
The Kilt & How to Wear It by The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine (1901), with annotations by Bob Martin
The late 19th century produced renewed interest in Celtic studies and in the dress of the Highland families. This work by one of the leading authorities of his day examines the extent of Celtic society, the origin of tartan, the supremacy of checks over family tartans, the evolution of the kilt, and the origin, coloration, and style of the other component parts of Highland dress. Erskine refutes many of the arguments of Lord Archibald Campbell regarding the antiquity of family tartans, and while stressing the use of authentically Celtic colors and styles when possible, presents a convincing case for the kilt and its accoutrements as a living and evolving style of dress. Kiltmaker and kilt historian Bob Martin has gone through the text line by line, and has annotated and commented on aspects of Erskine's ideas with particular attention to their relevance for those wearing the kilt today.
Spiral bound paperback for $13.95

Available through the Scottish Tartan Museum:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/books.htm

As its written in 1901, it would give an EXCELLENT idea of what was "contemporary" traditions them (ie, what they would have seen as traditional in 1902, the date of your story).

[tashaar]

Hi...anyway we can get a moderator to change my title? I'm so embarrassed. Was up all night last night with a sick toddler, still haven't taken a nap (nap? what's that?) and my brain fuzzed.

Yes..historical KILT question, and I'll check out the book. Thanks for all the great information.
--tashaar

[macwilkin]

Our own Tartan Scholar Matt Newsome has a nice article on his web site about this book:

http://www.albanach.org/kiltandhowtowearit.htm

You might wish to peruse his site in general -- I think it would be worth your while.

And I edited your title for you!

Cheers,

Todd

[tashaar]

Thanks for editing the title. That was embarrassing. As were all the other typos in that post.

I think I'll go to bed now. I purchased the book and bookmarked that site. Terrific information! I do appreciate the help, and I'll probably be back with more questions.

Maybe I can convince my husband to wear one, though his Scots background is tenuous. He's more Welsh, I think. Ah well, we can't have everything.
--tashaar

[MacWage]

First
I had not noticed that these are your posts 1, 2, and 3!

Actually, several of our members are Welsh! They call it a Cilt and a common poster (with pics) is Derek, our cardboard cutout (note how the pose is IDENTICAL in so many posts), and there are Welsh tartans too.
Matt Newsome (owner of the site mentioned by CajunScot and referenced by me above) is the curator of the Tartan Museum. He is free to many, many questions. I have pestered him quite a bit, as have many fellow X Markers. Feel free to call him.

[tashaar]

First
I had not noticed that these are your posts 1, 2, and 3!

Actually, several of our members are Welsh! They call it a Cilt and a common poster (with pics) is Derek, our cardboard cutout (note how the pose is IDENTICAL in so many posts), and there are Welsh tartans too.

Welsh have tartans? Neato. Not sure if there'd be a family tartan - the name is Lewis.

Matt Newsome (owner of the site mentioned by CajunScot and referenced by me above) is the curator of the Tartan Museum. He is free to many, many questions. I have pestered him quite a bit, as have many fellow X Markers. Feel free to call him.

I'll drop him an email at least! Thanks!
--tashaar

[tashaar]

Couple more questions.

The wedding I mention takes place in late December in London. I know kilt-wearers tough it out, but he hasn't worn a kilt regularly since he was a teenager (he's 48 at the time of this marriage - his second). He might just be so gung ho he does it anyway, but do kilts keep one warm enough in winter, or is there something he'd wear underneath?

Also - the Welsh have tartans? I wonder if my hubby has a family one. The surname is Lewis...
--tashaar

[MacWage]

Since you asked:
Here is a bit on the history of Welsh tartans.


First,he is reacting to false histories dating the tartans to much further back than they actually go and was in a series on others claiming kiltes MUCH older than they actually were in history.
From Matt's blog, back in Friday, April 15, 2005 on
http://blog.albanach.org/archive/200...r_archive.html

(Article text removed. Without the indentions, it is confusing and may led to misundrstanding what Matt said and what he was addressing.)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Welcome to the forum!

I just wanted to chime in and echo those who have suggested reading Erskine's book, The Kilt and How to Wear It. It will tell you excatly what you need to know about what was considered proper Highland Dress from the period in question. You can purchase it here:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/books.htm
(About mid-way down the page).

Also, on my blog entree dealing with the history of the Welsh tartans, I'd reccomen you go to the actual article on my web site, which is at:
http://blog.albanach.org/2005/04/welsh-tartans.html

In the version that MacWage posted, part of the text is quoted from the Welsh Tartan Centre's article, and part is my response to it. In my blog entree, the quoted portions are indented, so there is no confusion over who is saying what!

Aye,
Matt