A skirt is a piece of clothing that wraps around the waist. Its length changed depending on fashion trends. From strict styles, with length to toe. To frank mini. Skirts with a slit and pleats, tight or puffy - the style variations are varied. The whole history of fashion in this piece of clothing.

Reference. The loincloth made of animal skins worn by ancient people is considered the prototype of the modern skirt. She performed exclusively protective function. It was worn by both men and women, regardless of age.

The birthplace of the famous plaid pleated skirt is Scotland. The first dated references are found already in the sixteenth century. It is described as an outer garment that wraps around the waist. Woolen fabric of various colors, with many folds. With a length reaching to the middle of the calf. And we are talking about the traditional male attire of the local highlanders. Why were they wearing skirts? The terrain with gentle slopes, streams and swamps required clothes that did not restrict movement for free movement. At the same time warm and quick-drying in the wind.

Reference. Natural dyes used to tint the threads of the fabric made it possible to determine by the color of the fabric what area a person was from.

The national Scottish men's costume is a kilt. The name comes from the Scandinavian languages ​​and means things with a pleated assembly. It's a plaid skirt with a wrap. Traditionally, from wrinkle-free woolen fabric.

A variety of checkered colors is achieved by the technique of weaving multi-colored threads along and across the canvas. This forms a consistent pattern of stripes of different colors. The number of colors, their combination on the fabric can tell about the social status and belonging to a particular clan of a person wearing a kilt.

Reference. Tartan - a checkered pattern on a thick woolen fabric for kilts, has established color patterns. It is still a moral offense in Scotland to wear a registered tartan without belonging to a particular clan.

The kilt was originally a plaid of two pieces of fabric. Up to 8 meters long and 6 wide, it was called the "Big Kilt". Men girded themselves with it, and a long train was thrown over the shoulder. The lower part was collected in folds and fixed leather belts with buckles at the waist. Folds allowed to increase the length of the canvas. The upper part was hidden from the weather, using it as a cape or hood. The kilt also served as a cover on long journeys and in the field for overnight stays in the open. Rough dense fabric is able to serve for many years without rubbing and without losing its attractiveness.

By the eighteenth century, the subject matter of the traditional male costume had changed. Thomas Rawlins from Lancashire suggested that his workers get rid of the voluminous skirt trains that interfere with production. To determine a comfortable length, the men squatted down, and the edges of the fabric, creeping along the floor, were cut off. Other workers followed suit. A kilt without a cape was nicknamed the "small kilt". It is under him that they mean the Scottish skirt.

Who wore

Scottish traditional costume has many variations. For practical reasons, the warlike Scottish highlanders dressed in the "Big Kilt". For their many battles, it is still considered a symbol of independence and bravery. It was they who were the first men in plaid skirts.

The national men's costume, in addition to the kilt, includes a leather belt bag - sporran and a miniature knife. It became a common vestment for the military and not only the nobility after several centuries - in the nineteenth century.

Reference. Highlanders did not wear underwear under their kilts. This tradition continued for quite a long time, even when the "small kilt" became a common wardrobe item among Scottish men.

The number of colors on the fabric of a Scottish skirt spoke of class. The simpler, the lower in the hierarchy. For servants, monochrome kilts were relied upon. simple patterns of two colors - villagers. The sign of the military is a tartan of three colors. The higher the rank, the more. A checkered kilt of six colors, as a rule, was worn by artists: orators and bards. A complex ornament with a large number of flowers could only be worn by the leader. The title was inherited, as were the colors of distinction.

Gradually, the wearing of a kilt began to spread among the inhabitants of nearby countries through the wandering Scots: Ireland, the Isle of Man, Great Britain.

Reference. The British crown, in punishment for the participation of the Scots in the Jacobin uprising, forbade the use of tartan and men to wear a kilt. Required to wear trousers. The restriction was in effect until 1822. But wayward men, true to tradition, violated it until that time: they wore trousers not on themselves, but with them. So, the kilt became a distinctive symbol of Scottish rebelliousness.

As an element of the Scottish military uniform, the kilt can still be seen during the parade procession, on civil servants, during ceremonies. In modern Scotland, men dress in formal national costumes exclusively in holidays. As a sign of patriotism, it is worn during solemn events for the country. And not only in Scotland. For example, during the football cup.

Reference. Kilt pin - a pin that is attached to weight the fabric so that it does not rise in the wind and does not ride up when walking. Historically, it is attached to the outside of the kilt, so that it can be easily unfastened if necessary. Performs a decorative function. The pin often has symbolic forms: a sword, a dagger with a clover, or in the form of a thistle flower.

Modern tendencies

The checkered print has stood the test of time. It is readily used by modern fashion designers. A skirt in a cage, as a tribute to tradition, is called "tartan". The length and style have different variations. The size of the cage and the color scheme allows you to choose a skirt for all types of figures.

In the 1970s. stylish fashion designer from Scotland, Ray Petrie came to London. Inspired by the rebellious spirit of the streets of the time. He combined accessories from subcultures, with unpredictable ethnic elements. Founded the Buffalo Fashion House. He created extraordinary images of men in Scottish skirts. Later, they inspired Jean-Paul Gaultier to create a collection of modern kilts or skirts for men.

Reference. In 2003, the exhibition "Brave Hearts: Men in Skirts" was held in New York. Her goal was to draw public attention not to the traditional Scottish skirt, but to popularize skirts in the men's wardrobe. To do this, the representative of the exhibition walked several blocks in a skirt. Then he concluded that only a brave man who is not afraid of judgmental looks can wear a skirt.

Restrained plaid skirts are already a classic of a strict dress code. Perfectly combined with a plain shirt. The colors of Scottish skirts in bright colors, more short length- concise in the stylish direction of "college". In addition to a fitted jacket, in the English style and classic shoes, they balance the look.

A voluminous knitted sweater or a monotonous T-shirt, a denim shirt - almost any top can be combined with a Scottish skirt, both in color and in texture. The same goes for shoes.

At present, the Scottish skirt is predominantly an item women's wardrobe. But who knows, changeable fashion often brings surprises.

In the wardrobe of a modern woman, in addition to a little black dress, there must be such a universal element of clothing as a skirt. After all, it is the skirt that gives its owner femininity and elegance, emphasizes the beauty of her legs.

Skirts are straight and embossed, short and long, plain and colored. Among this variety, you can always find a model that suits the style: from strict classics to avant-garde.

In modern fashion, skirts are classified by length, by cut, by silhouette.

The length of the skirts are maxi, midi, mini. The maxi skirt is ankle length, the midi skirt is mid-calf; mini-skirt - 15 cm above the knees. Skirts shorter than mini-skirts are micro-skirts.

According to the silhouette of the skirt, there are straight, widened downwards, narrowed downwards.

According to the cut - in the pleat or in the assembly, skirts the sun, semi-sun, year skirts, with a smell, sarong skirts, trouser skirts, flared skirts, etc.

Pencil skirt

A pencil skirt is a narrow, tight-fitting skirt. The skirt can be of any length: from mini to midi. But, optimal length pencil skirts - mid-knee. This skirt has a slit or slot in the back to make it comfortable to walk and sit.

A pencil skirt is the perfect solution not only for women who want to show off their graceful curves, but also for those who want to hide their extra fullness. Such skirts can be sewn from both plain fabrics and fabrics with prints.

A pencil skirt, as a rule, goes well with many wardrobe items: jackets, blouses, cardigans, sweaters.

Tulip skirt

The skirt got its name for its similarity in shape with a tulip flower. A tulip skirt is a skirt that is narrow at the bottom, with pleats or draping along the waistline, slightly above the knee length. This skirt is recommended for tall girls with a thin waist and slender legs.

Tulip skirt goes well with fitted shirts, turtlenecks, tops, t-shirts and is suitable for both the office and a festive event.

Barrel skirt

A barrel skirt differs from a tulip skirt in that it has additional volume both along the waist line and along the bottom line. This skirt must be sewn on a lining. Due to the special cut and different widths of the lining and the skirt itself, folds or gathers are obtained along the bottom. And that's what makes the skirt look like a barrel.

A barrel skirt can be both midi and mini in length. Skirts above the knee are recommended for young girls.

In combination with long sleeves, turtlenecks, blouses, T-shirts or tops, you can create a very stylish look.

Bell skirt

The silhouette of the skirt resembles a bell flower or an inverted glass - hence the name - a bell skirt. Such a skirt is narrow at the waist and widens downward, up to the middle of the knee or slightly higher. She perfectly hides such figure flaws as very wide or very narrow hips.

The bell skirt is quite wide, so it will go well with a simple top, without extra volume. For example, with a classic blouse, a thin jumper, a tight-fitting T-shirt with short sleeve or a light top. In addition, you can choose a fitted blazer or cropped jacket.

Sun skirt

The sun skirt is named so because of its cut: a “solar” circle is cut out of the fabric with a hole in the middle equal to the waist. The length of the sun skirt can be mini, midi, and maxi. This model is suitable for any figure. The main thing is to choose the right length, as well as the material and color of the fabric.

The sun skirt looks stylish with various blouses and t-shirts, cropped sweaters, turtlenecks and tops.

Blade Skirt

The blade skirt is similar in style to the sun skirt, but there are significant differences between these models. If the skirt-sun is cut from a single piece of fabric, then the skirt-blade is sewn from several wedges: four, six, eight, twelve ... The presence of wedges allows you to perfectly "fit" the model to the figure, at the same time hide figure flaws and emphasize dignity.

This skirt is relevant at any time of the year and is appropriate both for work and for special occasions. One of the varieties of wedge skirts is the year skirt.

pleated skirt

The pleated skirt is a romantic and feminine skirt model that will add a flying lightness to any look. Skirt pleats are wide or narrow, one-sided or opposite, straight or asymmetrical, bow or fan.

Tops without decorative cut elements are best suited to such skirts: ruffles, flounces, large collars, and others. Pleated skirts go well with elongated jackets or straight-cut blazers.

Pleated skirt

A pleated skirt is a finely pleated skirt (from 1 to 3 centimeters). Pleating is treated with a special chemical solution so that the folds do not diverge and do not wrinkle. This skirt is versatile and very feminine.

A pleated skirt is suitable for all occasions, as they say, "both in a feast and in the world." As an office option, the skirt can be combined with turtlenecks, shirts, blouses. As evening - with cropped cardigans and boleros.

Tiered skirt

A multi-tiered skirt is sewn from rectangular strips of fabric (tiers) of a given width and a certain length. The special charm of this skirt model is in the effect of a light fitting of the hips at the top and a soft, gradual expansion downwards. Such skirts fit tightly around the hips due to the yoke, so they are sometimes used as underskirts in evening dresses.

A tiered skirt can be made from lightweight fabrics and is especially relevant in the warm season. A simple fitted t-shirt is perfect for the skirt.

Floor skirt

A floor-length long skirt can adorn any lady, regardless of figure and height. A floor-length skirt hides problem areas and makes the figure more slender. Floor-length skirts can look completely different. It can be a tiered skirt or a pleated skirt, a straight skirt or a sun skirt.

This skirt is perfect for creating an elegant evening dress.

Skirt-shorts

A skirt-shorts are clothes for girls who prefer convenience, practicality and freedom of movement. In such a skirt you can ride a bike, play tennis, relax in nature. Skirt-shorts can be either very short or up to the middle of the knee.

This skirt goes well with elements of clothing in a sporty style, and in a casual style.

Leather skirt

A leather skirt is not often found in a women's wardrobe, since not every woman, for one reason or another, can afford to wear such a skirt. Leather skirts are very popular in informal environments, such as rockers or goths.

Leather skirts come in a variety of designs and silhouettes and tend to pair well with a variety of styles of clothing, with the exception of classic and business.

Denim skirt

Denim skirt or a denim skirt is one of the most modern elements of casual clothing. Such a skirt, like jeans, has pockets, straps, rivets and other attributes. Women of all ages can wear this skirt. The main thing is to decide on the length of the skirt.

To understand which skirt is right for you, you need to try on several styles of skirts of different lengths and different styles. And there is sure to be one that will decorate and delight you.

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Types of skirts with names and photos, diagrams, patterns, video sewing tips

What items does your wardrobe consist of? Most likely, it has an indispensable thing for any fashionista - a skirt. In the closet of every girl should be this thing, and not just one. It is suitable for everyday wear, for office style, in other words, if you choose the right color, style, then in any situation a woman in a skirt will look advantageous. Let us dwell on the models of skirts, let's talk about the types of skirts with names and photos that will help us understand all their diversity.

Skirt classification

1 Tulip skirt. Looking at this style from the side, you will definitely see in it the image of a wonderful spring flower - a tulip. The shape of the product is narrowed to the bottom, in the hip area is free. This option is suitable for slender long-legged young ladies as an element of an office dress code, and with a rationally selected top it will be appropriate at any celebration.

2. Pencil skirt. This skirt model has become a classic of the genre in the wardrobe of fashionistas. The style is narrowed to the bottom. The length varies from the knee and just below. A properly selected thing should fit snugly against the body, creating a feeling of tightness.

Without a back or side slit, this is no longer a traditional pencil skirt. This option was specially invented by fashion designers to create a business bow. However, modern girls do not limit themselves to existing stereotypes and use a pencil skirt, combining it with bright blouses and frilly accessories, as an attribute of clothing for informal meetings.

3. Bell skirt. We have all seen what a bell looks like at some point. So, this model, due to the strong expansion of the lower part and narrow waist, resembles a bell. The length of the product can reach the level of the knees, more often girls prefer the shorter option.

4. Pleated skirt. A pleated skirt is an option that either comes into fashion or is lost for a while. Therefore, you should not give or throw away the item already in your wardrobe. The pleated skirt is once again a trend this season. Its length is not limited by anything, therefore, every girl has the right to choose it to her taste. Outwardly, it does not represent anything special, pretentious, but it is an incredibly stylish thing. Suitable for all occasions.

5. Tutu skirt. It has another name "ballerina skirt". At the sight of a girl in a flying, fluffy, wide skirt made of many tucks, the length of which is just below the buttocks, a strong population of the planet turns around and follows her. The ladies look amazing in them.

6. Skirt-year. Represents a form-fitting upper part, and at the expense of the sewn-in wedges in the lower part, the hem expands. This option refers to maxi skirts, so you can rarely see it on a girl walking down the street. But nevertheless, it helps to create an elegant and moderately unusual image.

7. Balloon skirt. The model offers a mischievous bow, consisting of a huge number of randomly assembled folds located at the bottom of the product. In this way, the skirt resembles a rounded “ball” shape. This is how the word "balloon" is translated from Italian.

8. Skirt-sun. For the manufacture of this style, one-piece material is used, from which a rounded shape is cut out with a single hole in it, where a belt or a wide elastic band will be sewn. Even a novice fashionista can sew this version of a skirt without a pattern. It is very simple to perform, unpretentious to wear, and the image created with its help is delightful and stylish. Great piece for your summer wardrobe.

9. Skirt-trousers. The model is designed specifically for ladies who do not part with trousers. Outwardly and structurally, it resembles trousers, and due to the width and free cut, a skirt version is achieved. Versatile and unique item for any occasion.

10. Flared skirt. This type of skirt has an outward resemblance to an A-line skirt, but it is fundamentally different from it in style. A great option for the wardrobe of a tall, thin young lady. For undersized girls, this is a bad element of clothing, as it visually reduces their silhouette.

11. Tiered skirt. The tiered cut adds splendor to this skirt. In it, young women of fashion become flirtatious and attractively charming. Perfect for slender girls without extra pounds on the hips.

12. Culotte skirt. An alternative to a skirt-pants. Legs are made of thin, flowing fabric. They have a very wide shape. Ideally masks excess fatty tissue on the hips and legs.

13. Rural skirt. Presents a maxi skirt with a bright floral print. Great for a summer look. On a hot, sultry day, thin fabric will protect your legs from ultraviolet radiation, and you can combine it with any top, T-shirt, light blouson.

14. Cargo skirt. A straight-cut skirt is in every girl's wardrobe. This model differs from the traditional design in that it has many pockets, zippers and other pleasant things. The length, most often, is midi, and the color palette is close to the military theme: shades of marsh, spotted.

15. Skirt-A silhouette. Received such a name for a style resembling the letter "A". It fits snugly in the hip area, and the lower part, on the contrary, is loose-fitting. The model was quite popular in the 50s of the last century. But now she has regained her former fame.

Here we presented the most popular options for skirts, which took away the free space in the women's wardrobe from dresses. Skirts are good because they can be combined with different tops, thus appearing daily in front of friends and colleagues in a new look.

Video on the topic of the article

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What are the skirts?

A skirt, like a dress, is considered one of the most elegant types of women's clothing. They are sewn from a variety of materials, different models and styles, different styles and for all ages. Fashion for skirts is constantly changing. More precisely, they themselves are always in trend, only the design changes, new models appear, and some of them do not lose popularity for years. With the help of skirts, women can emphasize their mood and dignity. Some of them are appropriate for office work, while others are convenient for walking every day. All of them have their purpose and reason. So what are skirts?

Types of skirts

You can classify this product according to different criteria - purpose, style, style. Let's try to consider the most basic models in order to figure out what skirts are. According to the silhouette, all skirts can be divided into straight, narrowed and extended. They are also conventionally divided into four types according to length - mini, micro, maxi and midi.

Mini-skirts are those whose hem ends well above the knees, that is, very short. They are especially popular among young girls and look great on slender figures with beautiful legs.

Maxi length skirts are long skirts that may belong to summer or winter collections. At any time of the year, they are appropriate, in addition, they are able to hide any flaws in the lower part of the figure, including excessive thinness or fullness, curvature of the legs, and others.

Long winter skirts are made of natural wool or acrylic fibers, as well as other materials. Summer options are light and wide, very comfortable in hot weather, in addition, in recent years they are gaining more and more popularity and are no less relevant than mini ones.

The midi length is considered somewhere in between, and the micro is a skirt that barely covers the buttocks.

Skirts are considered a truly feminine piece of clothing, but do not forget about the existence of men's skirts - kilts. This option has a length below the knees and folds, usually at the back. Kilts are sewn from woolen fabric, as a rule, they have checkered colors. Usually the Scots wear skirts on solemn events, but in Lately their popularity among the youth of other countries is also observed. The kilt has acquired several varieties over the years, including the wraparound model. Some of them are also worn by girls. Even the famous school plaid skirt came from the male kilt.

Fashion materials and colors

For the manufacture of skirts, many materials are used from tweed to lace. The most popular natural fabrics, including silk, wool, cotton, linen. One of the trends of recent years are leather skirts. Previously, they were considered an option for the most daring. In leather sexy skirts, they went only to informal events. Now they are appropriate even as an element of a woman's business wardrobe.

The denim skirt is the most common variety in Europe and the United States. Since the advent of denim skirts have not lost their popularity. Its length is different, and the same elements as in jeans serve as decoration - pockets, belt loops, scuffs, rivets. The most daring fashionistas can try on lace skirts reminiscent of underwear - this has been a trend for several seasons in a row.

Bright colors and catchy prints, skirts with ethnic motifs, floral and abstract ornaments are now at the peak of the fashionable Olympus. The most trendy are black, brown, purple, beige and sandy colors for skirts. These were the ones shown at the latest shows.

In the office dress code, not only the style of clothing, but also its color plays an important role. You can never go wrong with a black skirt or an outfit in grey, navy blue, deep green or beige colour. The main thing is that it should be discreet and fit the figure and color type of appearance.

Both style and decorative elements are very important - drapery, asymmetry, layering, flounces. In the new season, designers offer to dress in models decorated with rhinestones and embroidery, with patch pockets and stitching in a contrasting shade. But traditional, more classic and discreet models do not go out of fashion.

Popular styles and models

Skirts differ not only in style, but also in purpose. After all, like any other clothing, they can be appropriate in one place, and look absolutely absurd in another.

The A-line skirt hugs the hips and flares out towards the bottom, resembling the shape of the letter "A". The length of such a skirt can range from below the knee to mini. As a rule, this option does not have additional decorations. The model was very popular in the 70s and appeared thanks to Christian Dior. At the beginning of our century, the fashion for it returned again. Such a silhouette is appropriate everywhere, the main thing is to choose the right one.

The sun skirt came to us from the past, and it got its name because of the unique cut - it is sewn from a circle of fabric. This model will be appropriate for walking, meeting with friends, but not for going to the office. Its main advantage is the ability to hide extra centimeters on the hips, because plump women more often prefer it. It should be borne in mind that on tall women it looks more attractive than on short ones. If you want to create a romantic image, you should pay attention to this particular model.

Special dance skirts are short models with small flounces. Initially, they were conceived for performances by cheerleaders, because such a style does not hinder movement. They are also called Ra-Ra and are now used in different types dancing. A certain kind of such a mini-skirt can be found on the streets. She was especially fond of teenagers. In addition to this model, tulle skirts, reminiscent of ballerinas' tutu skirts, also moved from the dance scene to the city streets. It was in this that the beloved heroine of the Sex and the City series Kerry walked around Manhattan.

For a business style, you should choose more strict, but no less elegant options. Ideal and one of the most popular is the pencil skirt. It is a narrow, knee-length or slightly lower skirt, usually with a slit at the back. Do not forget about the timeless classic in the form of a straight skirt.

A year-length skirt is considered very feminine and elegant. It hugs the hips and is sharply widened at the bottom, thanks to the triangular wedges sewn in. This below the knee model never goes out of style and is recognized as a timeless classic. It is appropriate for the office and as an evening dress on both curvy ladies and slender girls. The same goes for the tulip skirt and balloon, which are no less relevant among modern fashionistas.

A fairly popular option among girls and women is a skirt made of wedges. It gently hugs the hips and diverges to the bottom in the form of a bell. For representatives of the beautiful half of humanity with feminine curvaceous forms, especially those who have heavy hips or lower legs, this is a great option. On slender ladies, this model looks no less beautiful.

The latest fashion shows confirm the relevance of puffy mid-calf skirts. They intrigue and fascinate with their romance and lightness. They give extra volume to narrow hips and help balance the silhouette, make it more feminine.

What to wear with skirts?

Best of all skirts are combined with jackets, blazers and jackets. Puffy skirts below the knees are recommended to be combined with shoes only with high heels in a classic style. Knee-length skirts look harmonious with turtlenecks and blouses, if they are complemented with suitable jewelry, ankle boots or ankle boots.

It is worth carefully choosing the skirt itself and combinations to it, if we are talking about asymmetric models. They are suitable only for slender long-legged beauties. But for those who want to look a little slimmer than they really are, you should pay attention to the traditional pencil skirt. For her, be sure to pick up a thin strap that emphasizes the waist, classic shoes or elegant high-heeled boots. It is permissible to combine a pencil skirt both with strict blouses and jackets, and with other fashionable things - sweaters, sweaters and jackets.

Floor-length skirts with flounces and ruffles are the recognized leader of the latest shows. Winter models can be complemented with contrasting accessories and try on an elegant beret. And for summer styles in the wardrobe, there will certainly be a lot of T-shirts, tops, blouses and shirts.

Romantic sun and half sun skirts are best combined with classic blouses and thin turtlenecks. Owners of beautiful slender legs and mini skirts should get closed shoes, as well as wear them with short jackets and thin belts at the waist. Multi-layered and puffy models with flounces and frills, designers are advised to complement them with over the knee boots or stilettos. You can wear any blouses and jackets from your own office wardrobe to your favorite balloon skirt. Pair them with tops made from beautiful, chic fabrics.

Do not forget that the main companion of any skirt is the belt. Lush and voluminous models must be decorated with wide belts, and tight-fitting and sophisticated models with narrow straps. Wear skirts, create your own unique looks and remain a woman under any circumstances.

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What is the name of the Scottish skirt. What is the difference between women's and men's skirt in Scotland

A skirt is an invariable part of the wardrobe of any fashionista. However, this term is general. It refers to any garment that embraces the waist and covers lower part body. Skirt length may vary. It all depends on existing traditions and fashion trends. As a rule, models are developed either in a cylindrical or conical shape. This characteristic allows this wardrobe item to be very comfortable and versatile. Skirt patterns can come in a huge variety of materials, colors and styles.

The idea that such clothes are only part of the women's wardrobe is most common in modern society. However, in some countries men also wear skirts.

Story

The origins of the appearance of trousers lie in an ordinary skirt. For many thousands of years, all men and women have been dressed in comfortable and practical clothes. In their wardrobe were skirts and raincoats. Pants came much later. It is believed that pants made of leather came to Europe about five hundred years BC. The Gauls, as well as the Germans, appreciated this clothing. It was very comfortable for riders. However, for quite a long period, "barbarian clothing" was prohibited in Rome, the leading civilization of the ancient world. Nowadays, everything has changed. However, along with trousers, the skirt is still worn by Scottish men.

ancient traditions

The men's Scottish skirt is a traditional highlander wardrobe item. What does she represent? This is a piece of fabric that is wrapped around the waist and fastened to it with buckles and straps.

What is the name of the Scottish skirt worn by men? This item of clothing can be of several types. That is why it has different names.

Clothing of the ancient mountaineers

The Scottish skirt for men takes its name from the Old Norse word kjilt. In translation, it means "folded".

What is the name of the Scottish skirt? Translated into Russian - kilt. This traditional item of clothing of the highlanders of Scotland has two varieties. What is the name of the Scottish skirt worn in the old days? In ancient times, this item of clothing was a very bulky attire. It was called the "big kilt". Such a skirt, which was a large piece of fabric, was wrapped up from the top of the head to the knees. It is believed that these robes were worn by the Vikings in military campaigns. The Scottish men's skirt, whose name is a large kilt, perfectly kept warm in cold weather. The main reason that the highlanders of Scotland chose this particular suit for themselves lies in the rainy climate of the country. The big kilt dried out quickly. In addition, in the parking lots during the campaign, it could easily be turned into a blanket.

Another reason for the popularity of this type of clothing lies in the mountainous terrain of Upper Scotland. A large kilt gave maximum freedom of movement, in addition, during an attack it could be easily thrown off.

Modern models

What is the name of the Scottish skirt for men, which is common today? Much later than the big kilt, the small kilt appeared. It is believed that it originated with the suggestion of the British in 1725. It was then that the manager of the steel mill suggested cutting off the upper part of the kilt. This allowed us to make this wardrobe item as comfortable as possible. The small kilt is much smaller than the large one. That is why it looks like a skirt.

Distribution of the kilt

Despite the fact that the Scottish highlanders preferred to wear such a costume for a long time, it was recognized as an element of national culture only in the middle of the 19th century. It was then that the kilt became popular among the nobility and intelligentsia of the country. Somewhat later, these clothes were adopted by the plains inhabitants of Scotland. In addition, the kilt has become an integral part of the wardrobe of the Irish, Welsh, and also the men of the Isle of Man. Representatives of the Scottish diaspora abroad began to wear such a suit.

Material used

What is the name of the kilt fabric? The Scottish men's skirt is made of a special woolen material. It is called tartan. This fabric is produced with different widths and colors of lines that intersect at different angles.

In the old days, the pattern on the material from which the skirts were sewn was different for each clan and made it possible to identify a stranger. Tartan also indicated the social position of a person. If there was only one color on the fabric, then the kilt belonged to the servant, if two, then the farmer. Three shades could only be on the clothes of an officer, five - a military leader, six - a poet, and seven - a leader. Currently, the industry produces about seven hundred different patterns of tartans.

Modern trend in fashion

Today, the kilt is experiencing a kind of round of popularity. Jean-Paul Gaultier remembered skirts for men. Some well-known fashion houses began to produce kilts, breaking the imposed stereotypes. Not so long ago, the Levi's brand launched the production of men's denim skirts.

Device

Unlike traditional women's skirts, the kilt has a very simple design. This item is made men's wardrobe from one strip of cloth, the width of which is seventy centimeters, and the length is from two to eight yards. The middle of the material is collected in an accordion. As a result, the length of the cut should be reduced to a size equal to one and a half turns around the customer's waist. In this case, it is worth considering that on each side a flat area should remain on the fabric. When putting on a kilt, the folds are placed at the back. Straight sections of fabric are placed in front of each other, getting the so-called apron (apron).

Accessories

There are four mandatory items that must be worn with a kilt. For a men's Scottish skirt, leggings must be worn. Must be present and takes, sewn from the same fabric as the kilt itself. Another must-have accessory is the kiltpin. This is a sword-shaped object, it traditionally should be decorated with Celtic runes.

A bag-purse is hung on the front of the kilt. Usually it is sewn from leather, and then decorated with fur, fringe or metal. Under the weight of this bag, the kilt skirt remains as static as possible in strong winds or when walking.

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​All kinds of skirts - Women's online magazine

A skirt is the most feminine, delicate and elegant detail of a lady's wardrobe. A correctly selected skirt model will flawlessly emphasize the figure, delicately hide some imperfections and present the most slender places favorably. Today you will learn all types of skirts and how they differ from each other.

Pack. A multi-layered skirt similar to a ballet tutu was first demonstrated to the public by the Italian ballerina M. Taglioni. The girl appeared on stage in a short multi-layered skirt, which looked very frank and unthinkable for those times. A tutu skirt is a collection of several petticoats, top with an elastic band or belt. It consists of ten or more layers, which creates splendor. The most ardent fashionista actively demonstrating this model was the heroine from the famous series "Sex & The City", K. Bradshaw, where she wore a Tutu various lengths and flowers.

The sun. The ancestors of this model were Spanish women and for the first time a long skirt was introduced in the 16th century. In addition to the spectacular look, it was also easy to perform, since it was only necessary to cut the fabric in a circle, make a central cutout, belt, and you're done! The only difficulty was that this skirt model required too much fabric, which for some was wasteful and only wealthy ladies could afford it.

American. The style of the skirt resembles something intermediate between a sun skirt and a fluffy tutu. It consists of several tiers, and each subsequent one must necessarily be wider than the previous one. The American woman was invented in the sixteenth century, and initially she served as underwear, giving additional splendor, which created an elegant feminine hourglass silhouette. At the base, the skirt gathers in folds, the flared hem is traditionally decorated with ruffles or lace.

Pleated. Numerous folds parallel to each other give the female silhouette lightness, elegance and femininity.

Pencil. One of the most popular models, available in almost every ladies' wardrobe. It is believed that the progenitor of this skirt model is the “Lame” skirt, so named due to the fact that it caused a lot of inconvenience while walking due to the very narrow cut. Modern Pencil skirts look quite elegant, feminine and stylish, incomparably emphasizing a slender silhouette.

Trapeze. As famous as the A-line skirt. Fits around the hips and flares out gently towards the hem. It was popular in the 60s and 70s, when business women's elegant suits were in fashion.

Waterfall. The skirt model was developed in the early seventies of the 19th century, also known as the "Fishtail". An asymmetrical skirt with a short front hem and an elongated back hem has become extremely popular even today, and fashion designers are actively using an uneven silhouette when creating evening dresses.

Crash. The style of the skirt has a distinctive feature - wrinkled fabric with countless creases and folds. Perfect option for those girls who don't really like ironing long skirts.

Half sun. Close to the Sun model, only cut a little differently and not so lush. If the Sun has one seam in the cut, then the Half Sun has two semicircles.

Flare. One of the varieties of the Sun model, only Flare only from the middle of the thigh line begins to flare, I fit the feminine waist.

Godet. This type of skirt is also famous as the Wedge Skirt or Godet, in fact, it is a symbiosis of a flared skirt and a pencil skirt. You can recognize it by an unconventional cut - a straight top, tight-fitting or loose hips and a flared bottom due to set-in wedges. The traditional length is just below the kneecap. The most prominent representative of Godet's skirt was the famous K. Chanel, convincing that women's knees should be covered.

Bell. The look of the skirt is similar to a bell bud only upside down, and unlike a tulip, it smoothly flares to the bottom.

corrugation. It is believed that this style of skirt was invented by the Egyptians, and it was intended only for shirts and skirts of noble personalities or priests. For the first time, the skirt was presented to the public in the fifties by K. Dior, when he introduced an innovative bow - women's outfits flying with graceful shapes. Often, many confuse pleated with corrugation, they differ in the direction of the folds. So, pleated folds are even and parallel to each other, when the corrugation is at an angle with the so-called “Accordion” effect.

Tulip. From the name it follows that the skirt resembles an inverted bud of this wonderful flower. A characteristic difference from other styles is a free top, an adjacent hem and a brightly accentuated waist.

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What is the Scottish skirt called? :: SYL.ru

Probably everyone remembers that in the last century, women had to literally win the right to dress themselves, it would seem, in such a clean clothes for several decades. men's clothing like trousers. At the same time, many did not even suspect that somewhere there is a brave and determined people whose representatives of the strong half wear such a fashionable ladies' outfit as a Scottish skirt. What is it called and how the highlanders put on this national dress - this and many other things will be discussed in our article.

History reference

The first mention of such an unusual outfit is found in documents dated to the end of the 16th century. His description was as follows: outerwear mid-calf length in a variety of colors, with a belt and a lot of folds in the fabric. In other words, it is a Scottish skirt. What is the name of such an extravagant, by our standards, men's outfit?

Kilt - this is the name of clothing consisting of a long piece of fabric, folded in a certain way, and complemented by belts and buckles. The name itself is of Old Norse origin and means "folded". Woolen fabric (tartan) was decorated with lines intersecting at right angles, and they differed from each other both in width and in color. Interestingly, each clan had its own special patterns and tones. It was by them that representatives of one kind or another could unmistakably identify a stranger. In addition, by the number of flowers on the fabric, it was possible to determine what position a particular person occupies in society.

In our time, there are only about seven hundred sets of tartans, but in fact there were much more. The fact is that many of them were forgotten when the Scottish men's skirt was banned for some period. This happened in 1746 after the suppression of the Jacobite uprising. Then the British authorities banned the wearing of not only a kilt, but also other national clothes made of tartan. This restriction has been in place for over 35 years.

Advantages

I must say that the kilt is very comfortable. In a rainy climate, he was simply irreplaceable. It perfectly warmed in cold weather and could be used not only as clothing, but also as a warm blanket, dried out quickly enough, and did not interfere with its owner when moving. When maximum freedom of action was required, for example, during battles, the Scottish skirt was removed, and the warrior remained in one long shirt.

It is interesting that at first the kilt was worn exclusively by the inhabitants of the mountainous regions - the Highlanders. It is worth noting that earlier this clothing was not part of the national culture, until recently. Only in the middle of the 19th century did the Scottish skirt for men gain sufficient popularity among the representatives of the nobility of the plains, as well as the foreign diaspora.

Big kilt

This clothing consisted of two pieces of thick woolen fabric, previously sewn together. Their length varied from 4 to 8 meters. Such a Scottish skirt, whose name in different places was pronounced as Great Plaid and Belted Plaid ("big" or "belted plaid"), required a certain skill of putting on. To do this, the tartan fabric was laid out on a flat surface, and the non-pleated part of the fabric was equal to the width of the hips, and the rest was laid in even, neat folds. In addition, a belt with a buckle pointing to the right was placed under the material folded in this way.

To put on such an outfit, the men lay face down on the fabric and first wrapped themselves in its left end, previously laid in folds, then in the smooth right one and tightened it all with a belt. After that, already standing, they fixed the free upper part of the kilt, draping it around the body in such a way that one end was pulled through the chest, and the other through the back and fixed on the shoulder with a buckle. As you can see, the Scottish skirt for men is not so simple. It is interesting that many people, when putting on a real big kilt for the first time, often make the same mistake - they fold it forward and not back.

Small kilt

It represents only the lower part of the so-called large plaid, that is, a piece of woolen material that wraps only around the hips. He most often keeps on the figure not due to the belt, but with the help of straps with buckles.

Scottish skirt must match several strict rules. These include a normalized length: its hem should be 4 cm above the floor at the time when the man kneels. In addition, the coincidence of the folds on the kilt with the tartan cells is mandatory.

Additional accessories

The most necessary and minimal set of additional parts for a kilt includes a belt, khoses, kiltpin and sporran. The last accessory listed is a leather purse, most often embossed with Celtic designs and small metal studs and medallions, hung on the front of a belt. Its purpose was not only to carry money and other small items, it also prevented the lifting of the kilt both when walking and during windy weather. This is a very important detail, if you consider one feature regarding the wearing of underwear. It lies in the fact that the highlanders neglected him from the very beginning.

Some sources say that the Scottish regiments deliberately forbade the wearing of underwear under a kilt. There is only one explanation for this - even in the army, the highlanders had a long-standing habit. With the advent of double-decker buses and trams, soldiers who had and still have a Scottish skirt in their military uniform are strictly forbidden to go up to the upper platform so as not to shock the women.

The second obligatory addition to the kilt is khoses - special long socks or leggings that reach to the knees. The next accessory was a kiltpin - a special pin, often made in the form of a sword, which weighed down the free corner of the outer part of the skirt. In addition, a long homespun shirt was always worn under the kilt. The image was completed with a woolen beret, necessarily made in the tartan of a kilt.

Hollywood celebrities and more

Despite the fact that the Scottish skirt is considered the national dress, it is not worn in everyday life, so men dressed in this way cannot be found in the office or shop. This clothing is most often used at ceremonies such as family celebrations, weddings, various festivals, etc. Also, the kilt, as mentioned above, is part of the military uniform and, interestingly, not only in the British army.

Some Hollywood celebrities, such as Ewan McGregor, Robbie Williams, Sean Connery, popular singers, including Rod Stewart and Sting, as well as members of the royal family, Prince Charles and his son William, have also become addicted to wearing a Scottish skirt.

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Brief history of the skirt. The history of the skirt:: SYL.ru

skirt in modern world belong to the class of exclusively women's clothing, but few people know that in ancient times this element of the wardrobe arose precisely as protection against weather conditions for men. It can be argued that it arose much earlier than any element of the wardrobe thanks to a simple cut. Today, the skirt is actively used only by the female part of the population, with the exception of the Scottish kilt and some African traditional dresses.

Skirt - a reflection of the status of a man in the Roman Empire

The history of the skirt (male) developed most actively during the Roman Empire. It was believed that noble and wealthy warriors, politicians, lawyers, professors and speakers could wear this wardrobe item anytime and anywhere. Young men and persons of the middle class could only wear it to the forum or other various social gatherings.

Skirts of wealthy nobles were made from expensive oriental fabrics, decorated with red and blue ribbons, stones and embroidery. They were longer (below the knee), which distinguished the rich and lower classes. Young people's skirts had to be short.

With the advent of various rulers, the history of the skirt also developed and changed. It is impossible to characterize it briefly on the basis of the rise or fall of only one empire, since it also gradually spread to other countries.

Women's skirts during the Roman Empire

The history of the appearance of the skirt (women's) in the Roman Empire is closely connected with Greek fashion and barbarian conquests.

The Greek style was displayed precisely in drapery, snow-white, gold and red colors, layered clothing. The clothes of married women were more refined and rich. In everyday life, the Romans preferred skirts of bright colors, such as: orange, blue, green, gray. Skirts and tunics in the Roman Empire were national clothes, and trousers were associated with invaders and barbarians.

The latter were allowed to be worn by warriors who fought in the north, since skirts could not protect against cold, rain, snow and other weather conditions.

The peculiarity of the appearance of the skirt in ancient Egypt

Skirts in ancient Egypt were distinguished by their simplicity, conciseness and practicality. The white color was rightfully considered a festive color, and therefore it was strictly forbidden on weekdays (the exception was the pharaoh, his supporters, vizier and priests).

The men's skirt was the only part of the wardrobe for a strong part of the population, since the chest and shoulders were decorated only with jewelry (chains, gold threads and symbolic drawings). The status of a woman can be determined by her clothes - if a woman is wearing a short skirt without a top, then she was a commoner. The rich wore sleeveless tunics.

The history of the puffy skirt

The history of the skirt has about thirty centuries, but its modern prototype appeared in Spain in the 16th century. Its distinguishing features include volume, layering, hardness (due to rings) and sophistication. Only court ladies wore such skirts, but their weight and size did not allow them to be used very often.

Also, an obstacle to the spread of this style was the high cost of the material from which such skirts were made (horsehair, silk, jewelry).

The emergence of midi skirts

After the Middle Ages (17th century), there was no need to use long skirts. It was then that women from all over the world were able to bare their legs without fear of inquisitions and punishments. Skirts became more comfortable, simple and practical, and due to linings made of warm wool they could be used even in winter.

This part of the wardrobe was usually not decorated with jewels or patterns and served as protection from difficult weather conditions.

The emergence of exquisite elegant skirts

The history of the appearance of a mini-length skirt begins precisely in the 18th century. Women realized that this part of the wardrobe could interest and bewitch men, and therefore skillfully used it. Skirts began to be decorated with lace and silk, linings were sewn on, which created a rustle when walking. They were later called "baskets".

A very interesting story about the creation of a skirt of this style is related to the fact that women noticed the favorable reaction of men to the sound that occurs when the fabric comes into contact with the ground. They deliberately began to attract their attention by sewing scraps of felt to the belt.

It was during the Restoration period that skirts began to be divided into simple everyday and elegant evening skirts. They differed in style, style, color, details and cost. Also, it was during this period that the fashion for corsets returned, which, in turn, required a lush bottom, and therefore skirts began to be framed with a metal frame. The latter was so inconvenient and dangerous to use that it forced women to look for another kind of support. Only in the 19th century did dense fabric, crinoline, come to replace metal. It was made from hard linen and horsehair. For added convenience, such products on the lower back were fixed with pads.

The emergence of colored skirts

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the first fashion designers began to introduce skirts with a variety of patterns on the lining into fashion. The top layer of this style was made of transparent silk, and therefore playfulness and freshness were given precisely by the playfulness of the lower substrates. The history of the appearance of a skirt with such unusual details begins precisely at the beginning of the last century, when convenience and practicality prevail over volume and grace.

The role of dance in creating new styles of skirts

The emergence of numerous dance styles also influences the history of the skirt. The ardent and bewitching tango dance gave the world a provocative and bright cut to the very thigh, which became the style of this direction. The energetic Cuban lambada gave modern women a short skirt with numerous frills that flutter at the slightest movement.

The history of oriental dance skirts dates back many centuries. Her style, embellishments and cut are very different from the details of other dance costumes. Oriental dance skirt is decorated with beads, gold and silver threads, fringe, pearls and embroidery. Such a richness of colors and decorations makes it unique and individual (each item is unique, as it is decorated by hand).

Contribution of Coco Chanel and Mary Quant to the creation of modern miniskirts

The history of the creation of a mini skirt, which most resembles a modern version of a very unusual, spontaneous and shocking, is as follows. The owner of a popular clothing store in London - Mary Quant - saw her friend who was washing the floor in short skirt for comfort and ease of movement. This idea, according to Kuant, turned out to be fresh and needed to be disseminated in society. Therefore, she instantly replaced all the classic outfits in the windows of her store with youth options - colored blouses with miniskirts.

The history of the skirt, which Coco Chanel introduced into fashion, began in a small workshop of a fashion designer. She noticed that bouffant skirts, which have no form, have become coarsened. Coco decided to create a skirt that will fit the waist and hips and thereby show all the sexuality of the female silhouette.

We can assume that the history of the origin of the skirt is very interesting and fascinating. It is closely intertwined with well-known names in the fashion world, historical events and peoples, social movements and trends. The skirt has come a long and hard way to become an integral part of every woman's wardrobe.

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At the mention of Scotland or its culture, many people think of a man in a knee-length plaid skirt, which is considered the traditional version of a man's suit. And there is nothing surprising in this. Today, the Scottish skirt for men is clothing with its own history, varieties and a whole range of additional, traditionally used accessories. The checkered outfit has managed to go from an everyday piece of clothing to a national symbol of courage and bravery.

What does it represent?

A skirt for men, called a kilt, refers exclusively to men's wardrobe items in Scotland. But it cannot be called in the literal sense of the word a skirt that women are used to wearing. In addition, the outfit that can be seen on modern men - the so-called "small kilt" - is not entirely identical to its historical prototype. Whereas the “big kilt” worn by the first highlanders was a piece of fabric (or two, but sewn together) about 1.5 m wide and 4.5-7.5 m long. When dressed, it covered not only the hips, but also wound around the upper body, becoming a kind of cloak that could protect from wind and rain.

Putting it on was a rather complicated ritual. Already in the XVIII century. among the workers, the “lightweight” version without the upper part, the small kilt, began to be more popular. The initiator of its appearance is the manager of the steel plant, Rolinson, who proposed to get rid of the “extra” piece of fabric that interferes with the work. The exact length was determined taking into account the height of the man: in the squatting position, the edge of the skirt touching the ground was cut off. It was this option that turned out to be more comfortable to wear and has survived to this day.

History of appearance

The first written mention of the Scottish skirt dates back to 1594. The records of that time describe speckled multi-colored clothes for men with a lot of folds, which are fixed at the waist with a belt. Its name is related to the Scottish word "kilt", which translates as "to wrap clothes around the body." The Scots themselves borrowed the word from the Vikings: “kjilt” is translated from Old Norse as “folded”.

For its manufacture, tartan was used - a special woolen fabric with intersecting lines. different colors and thickness. They formed a unique pattern that made it possible to determine which clan the wearer belongs to.

The number of colors used was also used to judge the social status of men:

• one is a servant;
• two is a farmer;
• three - officer;
• five - military leader;
• six is ​​a poet;
• seven is the leader.

Previously, for painting tartan, there were only natural dyes: blueberry juice for of blue color, alder bark - black, lichen - red, seaweed - brown, etc. Thus, the color of the fabric directly depended on the flora at the place of its manufacture, which was another way to find out where this or that person came from.

Why do Scottish men prefer skirts?

The so-called skirt called the kilt was originally not worn by all men in Scotland (Highlands), but by highlanders or highlanders. This outfit turned out to be very suitable for mountainous areas and rainy climates, where the legs of the trousers quickly got wet. On the one hand, it warmed the owner and could be used as a blanket at any time, on the other hand, it dried quickly and provided freedom of movement. The latter fact was especially important for the highlanders, if we recall their warlike nature and constant conflicts with their participation.

If necessary, during the battle, it was possible to throw off the blanket and fight in one shirt, and at the end of the battle, warm up and fall asleep under a warm piece of cloth. For example, in August 1645, during the battle of Kilsit, the Scots managed to defeat an enemy that outnumbered them by 2 times. Throwing off their kilts, the highlanders dealt the main blow to the central position and then completely defeated the enemy in the same shirts.

Symbol of freedom

In the 18th century, when the Scots were defeated in one of the battles with the British and lost their independence, the British authorities introduced many prohibitions for new subjects, including the wearing of a kilt and other items of mountain clothing. In addition, it was forbidden to use tartan even for making blankets or outerwear. Otherwise, the Scots were threatened with severe punishments: for the first violation - a prison term for 6 months, for a second violation - deportation to a colony for 7 years.

But even the threat of punishment did not stop the stubborn highlanders: they continued to wear their usual checkered outfit, and the trousers offered by the British began to be worn on a stick raised up. Thus, a kilt is not just the name of a Scottish skirt, but also a symbol of the love of freedom and stubbornness of the people of Scotland. Over time, this version of the costume began to be worn not only by the highlanders, but also by the inhabitants of the flat territories of the country, representatives of the nobility, as well as the Irish, Welsh and the male population of Fr. Maine.

Necessary accessories

One of the interesting details about the kilt is the question of the accessories used. The required minimum includes:

• Khoses are traditional knee-length wool gaiters that kept men warm in cold weather.
• Sporran is a small purse made from leather. Under its weight, the kilt does not rise when walking or in strong winds. In addition, you can store small things in it, since there are no other pockets in the clothes.
• Kiltpin - a hairpin (traditionally in the shape of a sword) to weight the edge of the skirt so that it does not rise from the wind. She was considered an adornment of the outfit, so she was often decorated precious stones and rune patterns.
• Skin-du - a dagger that was hidden in the khosy. From the Gaelic language, the name is translated as "black dagger", which means the material of manufacture. In modern outfits, this element is often dispensed with.

At the same time, the question of wearing underwear under a man's skirt remains the most piquant, because, as you know, real highlanders did not recognize him. This tradition has been passed down from generation to generation in Scotland. But the soldiers in the "skirt" were forbidden to climb the buses to the second floor, so as not to cause embarrassment among the women present in the transport. Only recently has the Scottish Tartan Authority encouraged men to wear underwear, at least for hygienic purposes.

Women's clothing

Almost everyone in Scotland has heard about a men's skirt, but few people know how women in this country dress. The fact is that, unlike the extraordinary national costume for men, the version for women did not have any unexpected elements and were quite traditional for their time.

The outfit consisted of the following details:

• Bottom cotton and top dresses. The latter had a color characteristic of the clan.
• A classic apron (most often wool), decorated with a pattern or border.
• Belts and capes fastened at the neck.
• Headdress, which was considered an indispensable element of clothing for married ladies.
• Shoes, which were made of rough leather and differed from men's shoes only in size.

What is the name of the Scottish skirt, which for some reason is worn by men, and not women? Its name comes from the Scottish "kilt" and since the 18th century has denoted a knee-length skirt. The modern kilt is a woven, woolen, pleated skirt for men from Scotland. Its length is chosen so that it ends up to the top of the knees.

The history of clothing goes back at least to the end of the 16th century. Then he first appeared as a plaid on the belt or "big kilt" - clothes, the upper half of which can be used as a cloak thrown over the shoulders, or thrown over the head like a hood. The small or marching kilt (by analogy with the "modern") did not exist until the end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century, and, in fact, this is the lower half of a large robe.

The term "kilt" is used:

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the noun comes from the verb to kilt, originally meaning "to wrap (a skirt) around the body", which appears to be of Old Norse origin, from the word kjalta shortened by 2 letters.

Big kilt

The Breacan Fhéilidh (belted plaid) or Feileadh (large) most likely developed during the 16th century from a woolen plaid worn as a tunic.

With the increase in the availability of wool, the cloak grew to such a size that it began to be collected with a belt. The belted plaid was originally a thick woolen fabric consisting of two sheets 54 to 60 inches wide, and up to 7 yards (6.4 m) long. The top half was worn as a cloak draped over the left shoulder, or covered over the shoulders and head to protect against the weather. Once removed, it could be used as a blanket.

The description of 1746 says: the attire is certainly very loose, which is suitable for a man to make very fast transitions, go against the weather, make his way through the rivers. For battle, it was customary to remove the skirt in advance and put it aside.

The exact age of the large kilt is still debated. Early drawings or illustrations appear before the 16th century, the first written source that certainly describes a belted plaid or large kilt is dated 1594.

History of the small kilt

According to the most popular version, the modern Scottish skirt was invented by an English breeder from Lancashire, Thomas Rawlinson, after 1725. By wearing bulky large kilts, the Scots were at risk in the steel industry. Rawlinson separated the bottom of the plaid and got a skirt for men. The invention was liked by his colleague, Ian McDonnell, and after that it was in as soon as possible spread among the highlanders and other inhabitants of the northern lowlands.

However, according to some coats of arms, a pleated skirt has been worn since 1692. These clothes showed the degree of wealth of the owner. Ordinary people chose monochrome or simple checkered fabrics, while the rich could afford multi-colored squares.

After the defeat of the Scots at the Battle of Culloden, kilts and plaids were banned as an element of Scottish identity in the Disarmament Act, and from 1746 until 1782 they were not used. This men's skirt received new life when the British king George IV visited Scotland in 1822 and put on a skirt for an official reception. The myth of the "Clan Tartan" also appeared during this period.

Drawing history

The oldest find of checkered fabric dates back to the 3rd century BC. This is a piece of linen created using the wool of light and dark sheep. This coloring was later called the "shepherd's plaid".

The colors of the cells and stripes depended on the area, or rather, on the plants that grew on it. Therefore, the coloring helped to determine from which region a person was, as well as his clan.

The most common name for this fabric is tartan, but in Russia it is often called "tartan". There is even a Scottish Register of tartans - this catalog contains all the existing fabric options. Many tartans bear a clan name. There are neutral models that are common in certain regions (for example, the Edinburgh tartan) or belong to specific organizations (such as the tartan of the Royal Scottish Dance Society or the Debian project).

It used to be that cloth was reserved for the citizens of the respective clans. Indeed, in Scotland, those who wear someone else's clan tartan are frowned upon. But there are no legal provisions prohibiting this. Scots who see themselves as members of the clan always wear the correct colors. But no one checks if the buyer has the right to wear this specific view. And as a foreigner, you can choose any if you wish to purchase a kilt or fabric for it.

What does a kilt look like

A modern kilt for men of typical build uses about 6-8 yards of one width (about 26-30 inches), or about 3-4 yards of double width (about 54-60 inches) of fabric. The Scottish skirt is usually made without a hem. The exact amount of tissue depends on several factors, including the number of folds and the size of the person.

For a large kilt, 8 yards of fabric will be used regardless of the size and number of folds. The pleat depth will be adjusted according to the size. For a very large waist, 9 yards of tartan may be needed.

If the kilt is properly sewn, after fastening it should not sit so loosely that the wearer can easily twist it around his body, but also not so tight that the tartan is not wrinkled. The length of the plaid skirt should be about an inch above the knee.

Accessories

The Scottish kilt is usually worn with knee high woolen socks, often with garters, and a fur-lined leather bag that hangs from a strap or chain wrapped around the waist. It can be plain or embossed leather, decorated with fur or metal trim.

Other common accessories, depending on the formal context:

• belt (usually with a relief buckle);
• jacket (various traditional silhouettes);
• pin;
• sgian dubh (Gaelic for "black knife": a small sheathed knife worn at the top of a belt);
• shoes (gilly);
• sometimes the kilt is worn with a shirt, although this is a relatively modern invention and should not be confused with actual historical clothing.

Wearing a kilt with or without underwear is a matter of personal taste. Due to the thickness of the fabric and the folds, the cold is not terrible for men, but for practical and hygienic reasons, underwear is still recommended.

Kilt today

Nowadays, most people consider Scottish kilts to be evening wear or national wear. Although there are people who wear a kilt during the day, as a rule, skirts are bought or rented to be worn at weddings or other formal events, regardless of their nationality or origin.

Scottish skirts are also used for parades, bands. Some regiments/units of the British Army and the armies of other Commonwealth countries (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa) with a Scottish background or heritage still continue to wear kilts as part of their clothing or uniform, although they have been used in combat since the 1940s. of the year. Ritual kilts were also designed for the US Marine Corps.

The kilt is associated with the Scottish sense of national pride and is often seen when fans watch a football or rugby match. The black knife is sometimes replaced with a wooden or plastic alternative, or omitted altogether for safety reasons.

Probably, everyone remembers that in the last century, women had to literally win for several decades the right to dress, it would seem, in such purely masculine clothing as trousers. At the same time, many did not even suspect that somewhere there is a brave and determined people whose representatives of the strong half wear such a fashionable ladies' outfit as a Scottish skirt. What is it called and how the highlanders put on this national dress - this and many other things will be discussed in our article.

History reference

The first mention of such an unusual outfit is found in documents dated to the end of the 16th century. His description was as follows: mid-calf-length outerwear of various colors, with a belt and a lot of folds in the fabric. In other words, it is a Scottish skirt. What is the name of such an extravagant, by our standards, men's outfit?

Kilt - this is the name of clothing consisting of a long piece of fabric, folded in a certain way, and complemented by belts and buckles. The name itself is of Old Norse origin and means "folded". Woolen fabric (tartan) was decorated with lines intersecting at right angles, and they differed from each other both in width and in color. Interestingly, each clan had its own special patterns and tones. It was by them that representatives of one kind or another could unmistakably identify a stranger. In addition, by the number of flowers on the fabric, it was possible to determine what position a particular person occupies in society.

In our time, there are only about seven hundred sets of tartans, but in fact there were much more. The fact is that many of them were forgotten when the Scottish men's skirt was banned for some period. This happened in 1746 after the suppression of the Jacobite uprising. Then the British authorities banned the wearing of not only a kilt, but also other national clothes made of tartan. This restriction has been in place for over 35 years.

Advantages

I must say that the kilt is very comfortable. In a rainy climate, he was simply irreplaceable. It perfectly warmed in cold weather and could be used not only as clothing, but also as a warm blanket, dried out quickly enough, and did not interfere with its owner when moving. When maximum freedom of action was required, for example, during battles, the Scottish skirt was removed, and the warrior remained in one long shirt.

It is interesting that at first the kilt was worn exclusively by the inhabitants of the mountainous regions - the Highlanders. It is worth noting that earlier this clothing was not part of the national culture, until recently. Only in the middle of the 19th century did the Scottish skirt for men gain sufficient popularity among the representatives of the nobility of the plains, as well as the foreign diaspora.

Big kilt

This clothing consisted of two pieces of thick woolen fabric, previously sewn together. Their length varied from 4 to 8 meters. Such a Scottish skirt, whose name in different places was pronounced as Great Plaid and Belted Plaid ("big" or "belted plaid"), required a certain skill of putting on. To do this, the tartan fabric was laid out on a flat surface, and the non-pleated part of the fabric was equal to the width of the hips, and the rest was laid in even, neat folds. In addition, a belt with a buckle pointing to the right was placed under the material folded in this way.

To put on such an outfit, the men lay face down on the fabric and first wrapped themselves in its left end, previously laid in folds, then in the smooth right one and tightened it all with a belt. After that, already standing, they fixed the free upper part of the kilt, draping it around the body in such a way that one end was pulled through the chest, and the other through the back and fixed on the shoulder with a buckle. As you can see, the Scottish skirt for men is not so simple. It is interesting that many, when putting on a real big kilt for the first time, often make the same mistake - they fold it forward and not back.

Small kilt

It represents only the lower part of the so-called large plaid, that is, a piece of woolen material that wraps only around the hips. He most often keeps on the figure not due to the belt, but with the help of straps with buckles.

Scottish skirt must comply with several strict rules. These include a normalized length: its hem should be 4 cm above the floor at the time when the man kneels. In addition, the coincidence of the folds on the kilt with the tartan cells is mandatory.

Additional accessories

The most necessary and minimal set of additional parts for a kilt includes a belt, khoses, kiltpin and sporran. The last accessory listed is a leather purse, most often embossed with Celtic designs and small metal studs and medallions, hung on the front of a belt. Its purpose was not only to carry money and other small items, it also prevented the lifting of the kilt both when walking and during windy weather. This is a very important detail, if you consider one feature regarding the wearing of underwear. It lies in the fact that the highlanders neglected him from the very beginning.

Some sources say that the Scottish regiments deliberately forbade the wearing of underwear under a kilt. There is only one explanation for this - even in the army, the highlanders had a long-standing habit. With the advent of double-decker buses and trams, soldiers who had and still have a Scottish skirt in their military uniform are strictly forbidden to go up to the upper platform so as not to shock the women.

The second obligatory addition to the kilt is hoses - special long socks or leggings that reach to the knees. The next accessory was a kiltpin - a special pin, often made in the form of a sword, which weighed down the free corner of the outer part of the skirt. In addition, a long homespun shirt was always worn under the kilt. The image was completed with a woolen beret, necessarily made in the tartan of a kilt.

Hollywood celebrities and more

Despite the fact that the Scottish skirt is considered the national dress, it is not worn in everyday life, so men dressed in this way cannot be found in the office or shop. This clothing is most often used at ceremonies such as family celebrations, weddings, various festivals, etc. Also, the kilt, as mentioned above, is part of the military uniform and, interestingly, not only in the British army.

Some Hollywood celebrities, such as Ewan McGregor, Robbie Williams, Sean Connery, popular singers, including Rod Stewart and Sting, as well as members of the royal family, Prince Charles and his son William, have also become addicted to wearing a Scottish skirt.