Vintage Kilts and Sporrans

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What we think of as a kilt began as a garment known as a belted plaid (also called feileadh-mhor or "a great kilt"), which was similar to a toga in that it covered the torso as well as the upper legs. Worn exclusively by men in the Scottish...
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What we think of as a kilt began as a garment known as a belted plaid (also called feileadh-mhor or "a great kilt"), which was similar to a toga in that it covered the torso as well as the upper legs. Worn exclusively by men in the Scottish Highlands, the belted plaid was basically a piece of plaid, or checked, wool fabric known as tartan, that was tied around the waist with a rope or belt. The Highlanders, who lived in tribal groups known as clans, were known for their rugged, subsistence lifestyle and their skills in battle. The Highland-warrior dress kept their legs exposed so they could move easily through marshlands without making the wool fabric wet and heavy. The chiefs, however, preferred to ride horses, and wore tartan trousers known as "trews" instead of kilts. Despite the popular misconception, ancient Highlanders did not have particular tartans—or colorful wool fabric woven into plaid patterns known as "setts"—associated with specific clans. The men simply wore tartan kilts woven from the natural dyes available in their region, which might come from plants, insects, or imported material. Women didn't wear kilts but a tartan garment known as an earasaid, or arisaid, which evolved into an outer garment known as the "tartan screen" or "tartan shawl." The male Scottish dress as we think of it today first developed in the Highlands in the 18th century, and became a widespread trend in the 19th century. To understand why, you have to know a little political history: In 1603, King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England in the Union of the Crowns, and he and his descendants ruled two separate, sovereign states, until 1689, when the Catholic monarchy was overthrown by Protestant leader William of Orange, who became King of England and installed a parliamentary government in both nations. In 1707, the parliaments of Scotland and England agreed to unite into one kingdom called Great Britain. The British government decided it was best to...
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