A loose cloth suitable for agricultural work was simply not practical in the working conditions introduced by the industrial revolution, and a more compact design was needed. The modern and personalized kilt, with the pleats sewn into place, finally appeared in the 1790s. The heavy leather belt, used to secure the folds, became redundant, but is always worn. They threaten to throw the baby away with the bath water. It was fashionable when I was young to denounce the kilt, very false, as a Victorian invention.
The word kilt is not Celtic, but comes from Old Norse and probably has the same origin as quilt. The kilt appears to have originated around 1550 as a means of carrying large Scottish fabrics. This was placed on the floor in heavy folds, the user put on it, wrapped it around his belly and attached the folds in place by pulling on a heavy leather belt. The rest of the Scottish fabric was crowned on one shoulder and attached to the belt. This was the basic way to dress in the Scottish Highlands for over 200 years, but not in the Lowlands. It is suggested that aristocrats started sewing the folds early to facilitate their placement.
The top of the Scottish fabric, on the belt, was often collected and thrown over one shoulder, where it could be secured, or used as low or low, or simply hung behind the user. These braids proved to be very effective in protecting clan members from Scottish weather and doubled as sleeping bags at night. And what is the answer to the question that intrigued the ladies of 1815 in the cartoon above and still exerts a fascination today?? In practice, this is very similar to what an English, American or European wears under his pants? In all cases, the answer is “whatever you want, or nothing if you prefer.”.
Finally, local patterns became the symbols of each region or clan and tartan cloth was born. The comfortable unionist myths about Culloden must be challenged. Actually, on the Jacobite side there were about three times more Scots than on what should be correctly called the English side. And modern research into rebellion shows that open and explained Scottish nationalism was an important part of the motivation of all ranks. Since the highlanders were massacred, hanged and deported on a large scale, the smoking ban was not their main problem.
These sporranes often had large flaps and tassels and had a variety of fur and hair, such as foxes and horses, or occasionally seal the skin, everything started with a tie’s head. With the recent revival of interest scottish kilt in wearing the kilt, you can buy very cheap versions of polyester or very light wool, with shallow folds, with only three meters of fabric. Mine is a standard kilt made from eight full yards of 18 oz woolen fabric.