Why Did Kilts Go From “Every-Day Wear” to “Special Occasion Only”?

We were asked…
“Any thoughts on why the kilt is typically only worn for special occasions in Scotland these days? When did it evolve from a more regular-wear garment to its current status?”
If kilts are more comfortable and more practical, as well as better looking than pants, why did the Scots not keep on wearing them?
Starting with how the Proscriptions affected daily use of the great kilt in Scotland in the 1740s, the lads trace the development of kilt fashion and how we ended up where we are today. The real answer has to do with class and economics.
Tartans:
Rocky & Erik: Nordic Heritage
www.usakilts.com/kilts-and-pa...
Ian: Old Scotland Tweed
--------------------------------------------------
Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.
www.USAKilts.com
Find Your Tartan!: www.usakilts.com/galleries
KZbin: / usakiltsofficial
Facebook: / usakilts
Instagram: / usakilts
E-mail: [e-mail]

[@cameronsmith6755]

I became a serial kilter a few years ago because I was performing at Ren Faires and senior centers doing Celtic songs and stories while wearing one and discovered how COMFORTABLE they are. The positive comments I received from my audiences (men as well as women) conviced me to broaden my horizons and I started wearing one while shopping, dining, and doing errands. The positive comments increased and since I was a "geezer" with a supportive wife who liked me in one, I wore one about three fourths of the time (they will never replace denim for tough, dirty work). My wife of 54 years has passed away but I still carry on kilting and have to admit that I enjoy the compliments from the ladies and the gents I encounter. I do not consider myself an eccentric but if some choose to believe that, so be it. I HAVE convinced a bunch of men to try one and MOST now have at least two having made the "discovery"! I always wear stockings, sporran. a hat and a belt to keep the inherent pride of heritage alive. I have noticed a general increase in the number of men young and old wearing kilts in public. Thank you Rocky and Eric and the rest of your crew for your informative KZbin programs! The Auld Celt

[@jackalnerf6230]

This is still the attitude my grandfather has. It was a big adjustment for him when I started wearing my kilts regularly instead of just to festivals and formal occasions. He has since stopped scolding me over it, because of my grandmother who always supported the men of the family wearing it casually, and because I explained to him my belief that relegating it to limited events risks the end of the practice all together.

[@matthewporter1107]

I was looking for tge comment that best described my thoughts and you said it exactly.

[@dougdraper4892]

Do not forget the impact of the utility-style kilt. I wear them daily unless it is more practical not to. It's a little more challenging to make a utility kilt look formal (not that I haven't tried), but it can look casual to dressy-casual. In general, kilts can become more popular given time.

[@aridragonbeard745]

I live in Utilikilts (plus a few other cheaper ones) whenever I'm not attached to a motorcycle (my primary mode of transportation). I change out of motorcycle gear and into a Utilikilt at work, and if I'm going to a friend's house, I'll usually take one with me if I'm getting there by motorbike. Super comfortable, I find it mostly practical for what I do, and it gets tons of compliments. I feel more like myself in them, and even recently felt weirdly self-conscious while walking down the street in my riding jeans 😆

[@user-zq3jh1zz2r]

I grew up in Scotland and rarely saw kilts being worn except for special occasions, and then many were hired - most towns have kilt hire shops and don't advertise selling kilts. Probably this was because they cost a lot. In the 70s and 80s, much of Scotland was relatively poor. The last few times I've been back there I've seen more men wearing a kilt, but still infrequent. I wear a kilt daily, and gets lots of comments, mostly positive, when in the UK. I now live in Malaysia (17 years) and wear a kilt most days here and the reaction is always positive (no post-colonial angst about it). Also, in the tropics, it's a lot cooler than trousers, even wool kilts.

[@inverross9019]

I'm Invernessian, and generally only the people who work in Kilt shops wear kilts. It's pretty much a myth. They smell, cost a fortune to keep clean.. and midges have an open snack. The Victorian kilt and etiquette is largely an affectation. Many Victorians in Scotland wore ordinary fashionable clothes. I wore one for Highland Dancing in a tourist show, and my wedding - that's it.

[@zombiefryd]

I’m transitioning to everyday wear. I spend all vacation days and holidays in a Casual or 5yd kilt, I PT regularly in a casual kilt, and I’m planning on getting x2 fancy kilts (x1 Regimental tartan and x1 Clan tartan) for “dress” occasions. Two things have made this easier for me: 1. I am recently retired so I feel more open to “trying on” aspects of my personality that I’ve never had the opportunity to explore. 2. My brother is sharing this adventure with me and wears kilts as often as I do. Our wives support us in this which helps us to feel more confident expressing our unconventional interests (it’s cheaper than race cars, 4x4’s, and motorcycles!). ALSO, USA KILTS has been instrumental in getting the ball rolling because of their KZbin content, the information on their website, and Rocky’s messaging that kilting has some rules and it’s ok to if you don’t entirely adhere to them. Thanks guys, we appreciate you all.

[@Hexsyn]

I only ever wear my tartan kilts with a collared shirt, usually a polo, but still. I feel like they fit the same general formality as slacks in my work and home life

[@kyote613]

I try to wear it 2 times a week. This show definitely helps me want to wear it more often. I think I would like it to be daily wear to show my Scottish pride and just because it feels freeing.

[@Steeltoothees]

Kilts are daily wear for me when not at work. Tromping in the woods, grocery shopping, at the range. I paid a lot of money for them and am going to enjoy them.

[@erikbrammell9202]

I wear mine a couple times per month. I have a utili-kilt and a formal kilt. The utili-kilt for when I go hiking and outdoor stuff. my formal kilt is a Steelers colors kilt, I live near Pittsburgh. I get a lot of good attention from them.

[@dbbaker8]

I wear my tartan kilt for occasions and highland events. I wear my utility kilt when I feel like wearing a kilt for the day or when working in camp. We look forward to travelling to Scotland one day. Your insight and sharing on wear help to be better prepared.

[@kevinhendryx665]

I am always glad to see kilts surging in popularity as ordinary wear, esp. in Scotland, where it can be seen as taking a stand in favor of Scottish identity and independence.

[@theologyman]

I wear mine weekly mainly to church, but sometimes like on a day off. I think it would lose its special charm if it were daily wear. I think of my apparel from USA kilts as special. I wish I had a job where I could wear it without worrying about it’s wear and tear.

[@lecaton5973]

I wear a kilt daily. Usually when working (I’m retired so mostly that is boat maintenance and property maintenance) so I wear USAKILT PV kilts. I own 13 or 14 kilts. I reserve my five yard wool kilts for special occasions. I strongly believe kilts should be daily wear. I have a supply of USAKILTS business cards and at least once a month someone wants information about kilts. I have shortened this encounter by passing out your card. Cheers. I’m looking forward to my first 8 yard kilt in a few weeks. It’s the main kilt for my Scotland trip in the spring.

[@vixendoe6943]

I ordered earasaide and I plan to wear it often.

[@crippmeister]

I think something that if often forgotten or left unsaid with this is that for a lot of Scotland, kilts were never "every-day wear" to begin with, and for many they have only ever existed as formalwear. The proscription act wasn't aimed at Scotland as a whole, it was specifically aimed at the Highlands from where the Jacobite movement drew its support and where the kilt was in daily wear. It is only since then that the kilt has become associated with the country generally. That process started with Walter Scott in the 1820s but as you point out, that was largely restricted to the upper echelons and also in the context of special occasions. Speaking to my parents about their memories, I get the impression that it was only within their lifetimes that the kilt became the standard formalwear in the cities and in the 20th century there was still a regional split - I think that would account for what Eric says about most photos of working men in kilts being ghillies: it was part of the culture of the (predominantly rural) highlands, but not so much of the urban south which, by the 1800s, was a majority of the population. I think that also ties into what Rocky is theorising about at 7.00. Rather than "what fancy people wear" it could have been almost the opposite. In fact I remember my grandmother on occasion being very disparaging of kilt wearers, because from her perspective, the only people who wore them were soldiers and salt-of-the-earth country folk.

[@kevinhendryx665]

I keep vowing to wear my kilts (I have about 14) more often and not just when at an event or when piping, but now that I'm retired, it doesn't seem right to wear one loafing around the house, or working in the yard, lest it get covered in cat fur, or soiled, or damaged, or the pleats get flattened. But who knows, maybe I will start to make a statement again, since I believe strongly they *should* be seen as normal day wear and not just fancy dress or seen as a "costume." I keep saying that if we ever have a second home in Nova Scotia, by golly, I'm going to show them all and wear a kilt all the time! Or Scotland itself. Who shall say what the future holds? I note that with a proper kilt being a major money investment, it's a deterrent to wearing them out by wearing them often. You wouldn't wear a tuxedo for ordinary living for the same sort of reasons. When I bought my first kilts, tartan wool, made in Scotland, before all the modern variants, in 1976 and into the early 80s, they cost me about $125 including shipping. Look at the prices now! That's a big reason why you don't see 'em as often as jeans.

[@robertbatty4384]

I live in Scotland and wear the kilt daily - almost. I would be happy if the kilt became daily wear again for more men. I don't think that it would loose any special quality but more of us would enjoy the comfort and all the other benefits of wearing the kilt! We shouldn't have to wear trousers because it is conventional.

[@frankmckinley1254]

When ArU fine fellas going to do a program on Charles III new tartan?

[@davidcohencrumpton9884]

I wear my Robertson kilt occasionally. I would wear it more, but I live in the southwest mountains of North Carolina and it rains here a lot and I don't want anything to happen to it. Bur when I can get a couple more then I'll wear them or 4 or 5 times a week or more. It attracts the ladies.

[@kevin-jg5nq]

Which Robertson tartan do you have?

[@James-dq3jo]

Why is it that people assume that they should walk up to the less-typically attired and start talking to them about it? What are some polite ways of saying “I don’t know you, I’m just trying to go about my business while being quietly eccentric” ?

[@USAKiltsOfficial]

"You'll have to excuse me. I'm in a bit of a rush, but if you want to check out a really cool company that does kilts, here's a business card for USA Kilts." HAHAHA

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

Well I do hand out business cards for you often. Trucking takes me all over.

[@TerryKeever]

People are genuinely interested and attracted to different attire that they like or admire. Most assume anyone wearing a kilt that stands out in most crowds would be an outgoing approachable person. Honesty without being insulting seems best to me. "Sorry I don't have time to talk right now, but here's a good source of information and kilts if you're interested" as you reach in your sporran for a business card to hand them and go on your way.

[@TerryKeever]

I imagine pants / trousers improved over the years between the start of wearing kilts to the proscriptions. So men got used to wearing pants during the proscriptions and and liked them and didn't want to go back to kilts.

[@MattWAdams]

I’ve got an unrelated question! I’m a RevWar reenactor a part of the NWTA. I am a part of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment representing the early part of 1776. We wear the Government tartan. My question is are you familiar with the 18th century colours of that tartan? And if so, we might be interested in acquiring some!!

[@USAKiltsOfficial]

We can do any colors you need as a customer weave! Send us an email and we can sort out your unit: [e-mail]

[@jasontheflyingfarrierhays]

I am a Farrier by trade and if I was able to shoe horses in a kilt I would wear one every day. So, whenever I’m not working, I’m wearing a kilt.

[@Ld19701116]

I wear it regularly at least a couple times a week usually, sometimes daily. And yes I think it should be daily wear if anyone wants too.....

[@Peacebunnie]

My cousin wore kilts daily for years until he took a job in construction, lol. No one wanted him up in ladders with that.

[@nathanrendelman]

daily wear, yes, and unfortunately, it would lose some of that special vibe... but it it won't lose its comfortableness.

[@ryanblubaugh4868]

Wear em to punk rock shows like to see the " Real MacKenzies" oi!

[@sharilewis4533]

I think that wearing Kilts in the United States and wearing Kilts in Scotland have different meanings and different functions. Where in Scotland it has such a traditional meaning ,here in the United States if you wanted to wear a kilt everyday you could wear a utility Kilt which doesn't have all the traditional background and therefore it's more accessible to be worn daily.

[@alexgibson733]

What tartan is the great kilt in the background (to the left of Rocky)is that gow modern or grant red modern or ??

[@USAKiltsOfficial]

The mannequin is wearing MacDonald Modern. You can check it out here! www.usakilts.com/gallery/13-16-oz-wool/macdonald-modern/view

[@thatguy8869]

Thank you. Is there a class distinction on Prince Charlei jacket vs Jacobite shirt as well, and for that reaason might a Jacobite shirt be more personnaly honest for some fellas to wear to a St. Andrews or Bobby Burns night?

[@jimothyjohndad8476]

No, Prince Charlies (etc) are black tie wear, a Jacobite shirt is a historical fiction used as a casual shirt. If you’re going to a Burns Night event with a black tie dress code, wear a Prince Charlie (etc). If it’s “formal”, either PC or tweed, and if it’s casual then a Jacobite shirt’s kosher.

[@thatguy8869]

@@jimothyjohndad8476 👍

[@thatguy8869]

@jimothyjohndad8476 Got the Argyl. 😀

[@jimothyjohndad8476]

@@thatguy8869 sounds lovely - enjoy yourself :)

[@TerryKeever]

There are several of the USA Kilts videos that explain the wearing of kilts and accessories to go from supper casual to a business casual to black or white tie. And everything in between. White tie is rare these days and should have a white waistcoat by the way. Never noticed that mentioned here. Got an ad from a cheaper material company recently with white waistcoats and did a bit of research.

[@orchidorio]

How might the world be if England did not ban the kilt? What if nobody ever thought about it? It's just clothes! The Scots are unique and back then I think they were a bit much. Especially alongside the very proper English. So England banned the kilt because they didn't want to encourage the rebellious Scots. I think it worked. And, too bad. So if the wearing of a kilt had continued how might it have been worn in 2023? I live in Santa Monica, California, USA and I'm entertaining the idea of wearing a kilt out and about. Walking in downtown, taking the metro, shopping in the grocery store. Not a crazy idea for this town. I would like to have a family connection to the Scots so I should look into a family connection to kind of legitimize it a little. But what kilt wearer DOESN'T like the "freely hanging" quality? And if nothing else, you have to like tartan! I'm glad I caught this video.

[@TadTheTinker]

Do it!! You will find that the kilt will almost be ignored. People see clothes as clothes. You will enjoy the freedom and the self-confidence you will gain.

[@kevinhendryx665]

One could note in passing that it's not just Highland wear, most regional or ethnic, traditional clothing is being subsumed by boring, drab, Western clothing. I don't know why so many cultures sacrifice their identity in favor of commercial slogans, corporate logos, cheap material, and the ugly business suit. I'm all in favor of keeping national dress. My hat's off to those who do so. Indian women in saris, bedouins in robes, Chinese tunics, bring back traditional dress! Toga, toga!

[@lotrhpnmask]

could do daily kilts and have special kilts. get both ways

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

So true, the economy kilts are my daily wear.

[@straycat1674]

Well in my mindset and boils down primarily for a lot of people the one thing. Money. Kilts are not cheap. You can buy a pair of jeans for 3040 bucks. But even a common kilt is at least 300+. It’s just not cost-effective.

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

Ok, I am in a kilt daily. Mostly the economy kilts. Or I might be in a blended kilt. This can offset the high cost, you can be kilted daily. The good wool kilts are for home going to places.

[@straycat1674]

@@the-kilted-trucker59 The thing is, it’s only recently that affordable fabric option had come about so people could buy kilts and wear them for regular wear. I mean yeah certain materials have always been around since crappy mass production was possible like acrylic. But at the same time, places like eBay that Sell X higher kilts are also fairly recent. But I admit I would love to see the kilt being more of an every day wear for a lot of people.

[@smacwhinnie]

If it was ever daily wear, it was isolated to pockets of the highlands

[@albannach7943]

How do you figure? It is more than well attested in Gaelic sources and non gaelic sources as everyday wear. True..our version of it may not be historically accurate and restricted to a specific time periodbut there is ample evidence it was worn by the gaels.

[@IosuamacaMhadaidh]

Isolated to an extent, but still worn daily.

[@Hsalf904]

If by pockets you mean almost the entire Highlands and Islands