historical kilt wearing question...

**tashaar** · 13th December 06, 08:13 PM

Not sure if this needs to go under advice or not, but...

Doing a little research here for a story I'm writing. Gotta character of Scots descent, generally British in 1902 who is getting married. I'm thinking it might be fun to have him wear a formal kilt for this wedding.

My understanding is, in the Victorian period there was resurgence of kilt wearing in Britain--a bit of romanticism of the time. Would a British gentleman of Scots descent actually go out of his way to own a proper kilt in his family tartan? Is that realistic?

And if so--is what he'd wear similar to what a man would wear now for a wedding?

Any help would be appreciated.

--tashaar
PS: I love men in kilts, that's why I'd love to do this.

**MacWage** · 13th December 06, 08:30 PM

First, The title (as of typing says):
Historical QUILT wearing . . .
Do you mean: Historical KILT wearing . . .
(I am assuming so)

As for Victorian kilts, THAT was part of the first "kilt boom" and the source for many of our "modern" kilt traditions (modern in the sense of traditional today).
Many also wore tweed kilts (the source of Matt Newsome's tweed box kilts), as is shown repeatedly in Bob Martin's book.
If you are going to be using kilts in a story based on the turn of the century 1900,tou might like to get a copy of Erskine's book:
The Kilt & How to Wear It by The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine (1901), with annotations by Bob Martin
The late 19th century produced renewed interest in Celtic studies and in the dress of the Highland families. This work by one of the leading authorities of his day examines the extent of Celtic society, the origin of tartan, the supremacy of checks over family tartans, the evolution of the kilt, and the origin, coloration, and style of the other component parts of Highland dress. Erskine refutes many of the arguments of Lord Archibald Campbell regarding the antiquity of family tartans, and while stressing the use of authentically Celtic colors and styles when possible, presents a convincing case for the kilt and its accoutrements as a living and evolving style of dress. Kiltmaker and kilt historian Bob Martin has gone through the text line by line, and has annotated and commented on aspects of Erskine's ideas with particular attention to their relevance for those wearing the kilt today.
Spiral bound paperback for $13.95

Available through the Scottish Tartan Museum:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/books.htm

As its written in 1901, it would give an EXCELLENT idea of what was "contemporary" traditions them (ie, what they would have seen as traditional in 1902, the date of your story).

**tashaar** · 13th December 06, 08:37 PM

Hi...anyway we can get a moderator to change my title? I'm so embarrassed. Was up all night last night with a sick toddler, still haven't taken a nap (nap? what's that?) and my brain fuzzed.

Yes..historical KILT question, and I'll check out the book. Thanks for all the great information.
--tashaar

**macwilkin** · 13th December 06, 08:43 PM

Our own Tartan Scholar Matt Newsome has a nice article on his web site about this book:

http://www.albanach.org/kiltandhowtowearit.htm

You might wish to peruse his site in general -- I think it would be worth your while.

And I edited your title for you!

Cheers,

Todd

**tashaar** · 13th December 06, 08:56 PM

Thanks for editing the title. That was embarrassing. As were all the other typos in that post.

I think I'll go to bed now. I purchased the book and bookmarked that site. Terrific information!

I do appreciate the help, and I'll probably be back with more questions.

Maybe I can convince my husband to wear one, though his Scots background is tenuous. He's more Welsh, I think.

Ah well, we can't have everything.

--tashaar

**MacWage** · 13th December 06, 09:13 PM

First

I had not noticed that these are your posts 1, 2, and 3!

Actually, several of our members are Welsh! They call it a Cilt and a common poster (with pics) is Derek, our cardboard cutout (note how the pose is IDENTICAL in so many posts), and there are Welsh tartans too.
Matt Newsome (owner of the site mentioned by CajunScot and referenced by me above) is the curator of the Tartan Museum. He is free to many, many questions. I have pestered him quite a bit, as have many fellow X Markers. Feel free to call him.

**tashaar** · 14th December 06, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by MacWage

First

I had not noticed that these are your posts 1, 2, and 3!

Actually, several of our members are Welsh! They call it a Cilt and a common poster (with pics) is Derek, our cardboard cutout (note how the pose is IDENTICAL in so many posts), and there are Welsh tartans too.

Welsh have tartans? Neato. Not sure if there'd be a family tartan - the name is Lewis.

Matt Newsome (owner of the site mentioned by CajunScot and referenced by me above) is the curator of the Tartan Museum. He is free to many, many questions. I have pestered him quite a bit, as have many fellow X Markers. Feel free to call him.

I'll drop him an email at least! Thanks!
--tashaar

**starbkjrus** · 14th December 06, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by tashaar

Welsh have tartans? Neato. Not sure if there'd be a family tartan - the name is Lewis.
--tashaar

The Lewis tartan shown on the Wales Tartan Center's ( http://welshtartans.bpweb.net/ ) website looks quite nice.

from Northern Virginia.

**Livingston** · 14th December 06, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by tashaar

Welsh have tartans? Neato. Not sure if there'd be a family tartan - the name is Lewis.

I'll drop him an email at least! Thanks!
--tashaar

Welcome to XMarks, cousin.

That is, assuming your husband is related to Meriweather Lewis who is my 1st cousin 7 times removed.

Originally Posted by tashaar

Couple more questions.

The wedding I mention takes place in late December in London. I know kilt-wearers tough it out, but he hasn't worn a kilt regularly since he was a teenager (he's 48 at the time of this marriage - his second). He might just be so gung ho he does it anyway, but do kilts keep one warm enough in winter, or is there something he'd wear underneath?

Also - the Welsh have tartans? I wonder if my hubby has a family one. The surname is Lewis...
--tashaar

I've worn my 8 yard, 13 oz kilt outside in a 20-25 degree F snowstorm at 6500 ft altitude with wool kilt hose and a typical leather jacket. Never noticed the cold.

**tashaar** · 14th December 06, 05:20 AM

Couple more questions.

The wedding I mention takes place in late December in London. I know kilt-wearers tough it out, but he hasn't worn a kilt regularly since he was a teenager (he's 48 at the time of this marriage - his second). He might just be so gung ho he does it anyway, but do kilts keep one warm enough in winter, or is there something he'd wear underneath?

Also - the Welsh have tartans? I wonder if my hubby has a family one. The surname is Lewis...
--tashaar