The Wearing of the Kilt

What is a kilt?
First, there was the Great Kilt, or great plaid (elsewhere on this site you will find information of the terms tartan and plaid). This was and is a large piece of woven fabric that is draped around the body and over the shoulder, belted and/or pinned. Originally, the great kilt was worn by men only while women would wear a large shawl or sash in their clan tartan. 

The modern kilt is a knee-length pleated skirt with overlapping front aprons, that comprises as much as eight yards of fabric. It is worn by both men and women. The middle of the kneecap is the commonly accepted length for a modern kilt. Women's wear manufacturers have also produced calf-length and floor-length 'kilted' skirts but these are not correctly termed kilts.

Formal, modern kilt dress includes the Prince Charlie jacket with vest, garter flashes, sporran - a fur or leather pouch worn in front of the kilt, suspended by a belt or chain - knee-length hose, gillie brogues (footwear) and a ceremonial knife tucked into the hose of one leg, called the 'sgian dubh'.

What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt? 
Ah, yes, an age-old question. And there are many humorous answers, including "My Scottish pride!"

In 2002, Scotch whisky manufacturer The Famous Grouse conducted a survey in honour of St. Andrew's Day and found that in the 21st century, most true Scotsmen still prefer to wear nothing under their kilt. Sixty-nine per cent of the men surveyed indicated that they 'go commando' in the time-honoured tradition. (You thought William 'Braveheart' Wallace wore undies?)

Of the remaining respondents, 14 per cent preferred boxers, 10 per cent wore briefs and a mysterious 7 per cent answered 'other'. Hmmm - you have to wonder what that could mean. (I wonder what Mel Gibson wore under his Great Kilt in Braveheart?)

Turns out the occasion for which the kilt is being worn has a bearing on what is worn underneath, as well. For more formal events, such as a wedding, underwear is worn. On less momentous occasion, though, such as rugby, kilts-men will often go 'au naturel'.

Got a question? Contact me at vicki@tartanhousecanada.com.