Some people know that kilts are only worn in Scotland and Ireland. Undoubtedly, the Scots and Irish people are at the top of the list of countries that wear the most kilts.
They wear kilts as part of their traditional attire. Yet many other states also put on Scottish attire for different reasons. Besides, there are some events where various people are seen in kilts. What are these events, and who wears the kilts? It is our primary objective of our discussion, so let’s start without any delay.
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Kilt-Wearing Countries
Kilt-wearing is not limited to Scotland and Ireland. The attire expanded its roots to other countries with time. Scots and Irish are culture-oriented and deeply respect their culture at every event by wearing kilts.
Historically, they took their culture with them wherever they went, whether it was America or England. Here are some countries where kilts inspired the people.
Scotland
Kilts are the traditional attire of Scotland. People there have been wearing them for more than 4 centuries. The kilts are often made with tartan which is a fabric having checked patterns on it that usually represent any clan.
Most probably any person wearing a tartan there might be representing his clan or for heritage admiration.
Once Scots wore kilts at specific events. Now this attire is part of their daily wearings. Scots are culture admirers, so they wear this traditional outfit in every formal and informal occasion. Some schools there even use kilts as their uniform.
Ireland
Ireland is another country where a majority wear tartan made kilts to appreciate their history and their antecedents. The entire population of Ireland is almost 5 millions and it is said that all of them wear kilts as traditional attire.
People have a confusion that the Irish and the Scottish kilts are the same. Yet the story is opposite to it; they have various differences. Irish and Scot kilts were introduced in the 20th and 16th century, respectively.
The patterns on the Scottish attire represent any clan or sept but Irish kilts represent any district or county. Unlike the Scots, Irish kilts are restricted to specific occasions.
America
People are usually seen wearing kilts in America but they do not wear them as a traditional attire. A large number of Scots reside in the USA after their emigration from the late 1600s to the early 1700s from Scotland.
They took their culture with them and the Americans started wearing kilts to show the unity with emigrants.
Currently, the number of Scots in America is significantly high. Stats claim that almost 20-25 million Scots are part of American states which is almost 8-10% of their entire population. They wear kilts on different occasions like Highland games, fashion shows, and traditional Scottish events.
England
Like Americans, English people do not wear kilts as a traditional entity. The attire has become common because of the Scots and Irish living there. It is said that some English people wear kilts because of England’s royal family’s deep connections with Scotland.
Spain
Celtic cultures have a deep connection with kilts. The Northwest part of Spain, known as Galicia, was once home to Celtic culture. They used to wear kilts, and their descendants still put kilts on today but on special occasions. They also wear the same tartan of Scotland and other accessories with their traditional touch.
Germany
When it comes to the kilt wearing countries, Germany is no exception. Germans are known to have their own tartans, including Ikelman’s German National Tartan and The German Macleod Tartan, etc. The Highland games have risen in significance among Germany and people there are usually seen in kilts during these games.
Egypt
It is said that Egyptians wear kilts as well but this point is obscure. The kilts Egypts wore were not the actual kilts but look like them. The kilt-like attire was called “Shendyt” or “Shenti.” It was a lightweight woolen fabric wrapping around the waist and covering the body to the knees.
Here, we would like to add more about Egypt and kilts. Once Egypts became an Islamic nation, people there transformed their traditional outfit into Islamic dress. Due to some challenges for the black community and racism, the Arabs there have decided to rebrand themselves as the ancient ones and have started wearing their kilt-like attire again.
Countries Wearing Kilts As Fashion
No one can deny that kilt fashion evolved with time. The kilts that were part of some countries traditionally, have registered their names in the world of fashion worldwide.
Some nations wear kilts because of their random connection with its history. At the same time, various countries have started wearing them as a fashion entity. Here is the list of these countries:
- Brittany
- Cornwall
- Isle Of Man
- Wales
- Canada
- Greece
- New Zealand
- Normandy
Remember all the celtic nations wear kilts, no matter if it is their traditional attire or not. If we talk about Canada, kilts are part of school uniforms for females. Moreover, the ancient Greeks used to wear “Chiton” that looks like the Kilt and they put them on at traditional events.
Events And Kilt Wearing People
Different events, formal and informal, take place in the entire world where people wear kilts. Most of these events have different statuses, and anyone can be kilt-wearing, whether a participant or non-participant.
Highland Games
Let us start the list of events and kilt-wearers with Highland games. These games were initiated in 1836 in America and are now being played in many countries. The participants in Tug of War, Pulling, Heavy Lifting, and many other games are primarily seen in kilts. At the same time, people watching these games are also seen in kilts.
Wedding Ceremonies
Wedding ceremonies in Scotland and Ireland also see people wearing kilts. Mostly, grooms and groomsmen wear kilts to give them a unique appearance. However, there is no rule for brides not to wear kilts. In short, everyone can wear this Scottish attire there.
Educational Departments
Kilts are also well-received in the education sector. Kilts were just a part of educational ceremonies a few years back, but the scenario is different now. Some schools have adopted kilts as student uniforms. If you have ever visited any graduation ceremonies, you must have seen professors, students, and the guardians of students wearing kilts.
National Events
Let us talk about the national events now. Various national events, including St. Patrick’s Day, St. Andrew’s Day, National Scottish Day, and many other events, are commemorated each year. These days have historical significance, and Scots love to admire their history. So, a majority is seen in kilts at these events to show unity.
Conclusion
Kilts are the traditional attire for some countries like Scotland and Ireland. These nations wear kilts as their cultural heritage. In addition, some nations have a connection with Scots and Irish people and wear kilts to show unity or appreciation of their culture. Furthermore, kilts have evolved in the fashion industry, and many other countries, including Canada and New Zealand, have developed a connection with traditional attire.
Likewise, some countries like Greece, Egypt, and Bulgaria have their own kilt-like attires, and they wear them. Besides these countries, there are some events where people are seen wearing kilts, like grooms and brides at weddings, students and professors in schools, and national ceremonies. Who Wears Kilts And Why?
