Kilts Used Against Weather In Scotland And Ireland
Kilts are the traditional clothing for the Scots, which they have been wearing for the last four centuries without concern for the weather. A kilt is an essential component of this Scottish dress, resembling the women’s skirt, covering the lower part of the man’s body until the knee. They are made of different fabrics, making them suitable for extreme weather conditions, whether the days are longer or shorter. Thus, wearing other kilt-related essentials to fight against the weather is important as well.
Mens Kilts have become more popular, and the world has started wearing them. Scots in kilts around the year also indicate the versatility of their attire in different climates. Therefore, kilts used against the weather are our primary concern in this piece of information. Here, we will cover everything from the historical connection of kilts to different seasons and let you discover their benefits in summer and winter.
Climate Of Scotland & Ireland
When we talk of kilts, usually 2 primary countries spike in our minds: Scotland and Ireland. Both of these countries have different weather climates and clothing cultures. The climate in Scotland is harsh compared to the Irish Climate. Usually, the Scottish climate is harsh due to the northern locations and mountainous terrain. However, Ireland’s mild climate is due to the moderating effects of the Atlantic Ocean. According to Wilderness Scotland, 4 seasons usually exist in Scotland: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Here, we will talk about the Scottish climate and then move towards the Irish weather.
Scottish Climate
The average temperature in Scotland remains moderate throughout the year. It rarely gets to the extreme. The days in summer there are almost 16-18 hours long, while the average temperature remains 18 degrees centigrades. This season is ideal for outdoor activities that are part of their culture. These activities involve hiking, playing games, cycling, etc.
Similar to the summer, the winter season is mild as well. Spotting snow on the ground is quite rare, while it can be seen on the hill peaks. The average temperature in winter is generally around 4 degrees centigrades. Many cultural events also take place in the winter season. Some everyday events are Scotland National Day, St. Andrew’s Day, and many more.
Irish Climate
The overall climate of Ireland is quite similar to Scotland but a little milder. The average temperature in Winters rotates around 4 to 7 degree centigrades. Summer season witnesses 15 to 17 degree centigrades. Moreover, it rains a bit more in Ireland than in Scotland. December and January are the wettest months, while April is the driest month.
As discussed, both of these countries have the same seasons. They also share their traditional clothing, known as the “kilt.” People from these countries proudly wear kilts at their cultural events. However, Scottish kilts are more common and are not restricted to specific events but serve as daily clothing.
The Historical Connection Between Kilts And Weather
Scots are deeply connected to their history, whether it is their outfit or the clan. A Highland dress is a set of garments and accessories that Scots have worn since the 16th century. The Kilt suit was worn as a traditional garment until the 19th century; it became a fashion statement. The kilt is a supplementary entity in this outfit, usually made with tartan. Do you know what a tartan is? It is a fabric with criss-crossed patterns. Furthermore, tartan signifies the clans (group of family) of the Scots. Today, they wear a tartan that their ancestors used to wear once to appraise them.
At the same time, the kilts we wear today have transformed significantly. Nonetheless, they were always weather-friendly. Let’s move back to the initial days of kilts for a while. The first recorded kilt was “the great kilt” or “belted plaid.” It was a long, single piece of tartan with extra length, and Scots wore it as a blanket or shroud during winters. Likewise, they had small kilts for summers.
The discussion so far reveals that Scottish attire and its accessories, mainly covering the lower part of the body, are suitable for all climates. The question that arises here is “how?” Remember that different fabrics are used to create a kilt, and each fabric has an exceptional nature. Let’s prove it!
Kilts for Every Season In Scotland
Do kilts help with the weather in Scotland? Yes, they definitely do, and this makes them suitable for everyday wear.
Kilts For Summer Season
As discussed earlier, different fabrics make kilts for multiple reasons, including safety against the extreme seasons. Cotton or linen fabric is typically used to create clothing that suits hotter days because it is lightweight and breathable. I also prefer other lightweight products like hose and ghillie brogues with kilts.
Therefore, wearing kilts in summer offers various benefits.
Better Ventilation
Kilts have pleats on rear side and are pretty loose, unlike pants. They are not stuck to the body, providing space for better airflow. That’s how they help with better ventilation and let the wearers stay cool in the summer.
Ensures Comfortable
As mentioned earlier, lightweight materials like wool, cotton, or linen are used to craft the kilt for summer. These materials absorb moisture and are suitable for the heated season.
Freedom Of Movement
Do you know the military initially wore kilts? What could be the possible reasons? Kilts have pleats on the back, making them suitable for unrestricted movement. With time, people other than the military started adopting kilts, like Highland game participants and outdoor workers, just because of this feature.
Helps To Regulate Body Temperature
The majority might not be aware of this benefit, but yes, kilts help regulate body temperature. Pleats help wearers move flexibly, and remaining in a continuous state of motion helps maintain blood flow. Moreover, accurate blood flow directly impacts temperature.
Kilts for Winter Season
Now that you know the benefits of kilts for summer, it’s time to talk about the other weather. Clothes usually worn in summer are crafted with cotton and linen, while the winter kilts are made with different fabrics, including acrylic wool, leather, denim, etc. These fabrics are excellent choices for the winter. Other than style and traditions, kilts maintain the temperature as well. Let us explain it with the help of an example. Acrylic wool is quite effective in the winter. Though it is lightweight, it still effectively maintains warmth. Here are some standard kilts to wear:
Impact of Kilts on Irish Culture and Weather
We talked about the different Scottish kilts suitable for different weathers until now. It’s time to talk about the benefits of kilts in different Irish weather and kilts for both seasons. Our already discussed points regarding the weather in Scotland and Ireland have clarified that the seasons there are almost the same. The only thing differentiating them is a bit of mildness in Irish weather than Scotland. So, Are kilts helpful in Irish weather? Yes, they are! Let’s move ahead and see how they benefit wearers and the different kilts used there.
Kilts For Summer Season In Ireland
Having the same weather conditions means that kilts in Ireland have the same mode of action as well. The benefits are the same, including coziness, better ventilation, freedom of movement, and some health benefits. Our center of attention here is to inform you about different kilts that work well in summer. So, here are some common kilts:
Kilts For Winter Season in Ireland
Irish winters are almost the same as Scottish winters, and wearing kilts there provides similar benefits. Because they are made with acrylic wool and different fabrics like drill jeans and leather, they provide heat. So, let us look at the Irish kilts that one should wear in winter.
- Saffron Tartan Kilt
- Irish National Tartan Kilt
- Irish Green Tartan Kilt
- Heritage Of Ireland Tartan Kilt
Conclusion
Kilts secure their name in the traditional entities of the Scots. People in Scotland have been wearing them since the 16th century. They are smaller in size than other clothing, but they still work around the years. Some people say they work well in the hot weather, but they must also realize their practicality in the cold weather. They also help wearers to stay warm in the cold weather.
