The kilt as an Irish garment

[gmcdavid]

....originated in the late 19th century. It is not traditional Irish dress. See What is Traditional Irish Dress by kass_rants (Kass McGann), a well known expert on historical clothing. I have checked and confirmed her references on the subject. Also see this letter from Patrick PearseAnd that is why I will not be wearing a kilt to the local Irish Fair (A

Comments

[haddayr]

. . . but kilts are so COOOOOL!

(You know, if we ever got that idea you had about re-enacting a battle off the ground, you'd be well within your rights to wear a kilt to the Irish fair.)

[haddayr]

I just read this. This is, I'm assuming, referring to the men's style of clothing, yes?

I'll bet my Clann Tartan outfit, minus the plaid, is totally Irish.

[gmcdavid]

Sure. Even the plaid would be OK if you did not belt it around your waist. That is how an Irishman described a belted plaid--he said the Scots were wearing belts on the outside of their cloaks. See

http://www.medievalscotland.org/clothing/refs/aodhruadh.shtml#oclerigh1948

(You probably would also want avoid a really blatant tartan, but IIRC the one you were wearing would be OK)