Just what makes a traditional kilt?

[Troglodyte]

Reading the many threads posted here on this website over the years, it now appears to me that the description-----definition---- of a "Traditional Kilt" has been adjusted more than somewhat compared to what I am used to. Am I right?

Sorry chaps, the title of this thread should read," Just what Makes A traditional kilt?"

I think I understand what you are asking, Jock, and I am of the opinion that the term traditional is subjective, and is open to all sorts of interpretations. It is also influenced by convention and fashion.

For my own part, I would say that traditional and conventional are like Siamese twins when it comes to the kilt - they were joined at birth and cannot be separated.

For a kilt to be traditional in my eyes, it needs to be made from a heavyweight woollen fabric with a proper kilting selvedge (preferably a long-established tartan and not a fashion gimmick) of not less than seven yards. It needs to have 30 or more knife-pleats and cut and shaped to fit high on the natural waist with a generous rise, and with a comfortable drop to the knee. Pleating style is a matter of personal preference, or regimental requirement, so other forms are perfectly within the traditional parameters.

I have had the good fortune to examine in detail several kilts by different makers in different cloth weights and weavings, that have dated from about 1870 onwards. The different tartans aside, the kilts all conform to what I said above, and so are constructed in a conventional way. Any differences are only apparent on close inspection, and are the makers' individual style or technique.

All this seems to have been the way until about 1990 when fashion has been brought into play, involving made-made fibre materials, shorter lengths of cloth, lower cut for hip-height wearing, and are sold for curious purposes - a 'beer kilt' or 'football kilt' has to be a gimmick and far from tradtional.

PV kilts, utility kilts, action kilts, combat kilts and the like clearly have a wide appeal to some, but they cannot be seen as traditional - despite the semantic games people play to justify their choice.

Tradition and convention also play in important part in how the kilt is worn, and what is worn with it, but that is, I feel, up to the individual and is governed by what he happens to be doing - ceilidh-going, hill-walking, lunch with the in-laws, etc.