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A scottish HBC reader has provided information that he has developed on kilt wearing in Scotland during the 20th century. Much of the information that he developed, but not all during the 20th century. He interviewd several Scotts who wore kilts during various periods suring the century. The respondents to his questionnaire were born between 1905 and 1955 which constitutes a reasonable spread in time. Of course, the numbers are really too small to apply the full power of statistics and memories may fade slightly with age but I do think that corespondents have been honest and I have captured a representative cross section.
It appears that kilt outfits have changed little during the last 100 years! True, detailed touches, like gloves, plaids (back scarf), and long haired sporrans have gone out of fashion, and headgear, which used to be obligatory in the early part of the century was and is worn less often in the latter part.
The kilt has always, to some extent, been a sign of affluence. More boys from the better off families wore the kilt than those from poorer families. There were exceptions but new kilts were more expensive to buy than trousers. However a kilt lasts a lot longer than trousers and is therefore more economical in the long run. In fact a boy is very unlikely to wear out a kilt. Kilts even look better when slightly tattered so kilts were often handed down from brother to brother or between cousins. This and the existence of kilt pools (where kilts were exchanged between boys for school and scouts) meant that boys from less well off families could always wear a kilt if they really wanted to. However, due to parental pressure more boys from the middle and upper classes wore kilts than others. It is estimated that nearly all the boys from these social classes have worn a kilt at some time in their early life.
The idea of social class is an interesting one. HBC wonders if boys wearing kilts have always been from the most affluent class. This may well have been the case in the 20th century, although HBC know little about the 18th and 19th century and even the period before World War (1914-18). One would assume that during at least some of this periiod that the boys least likely to wear kilts were the Lowland Scotts most affected by England and English fashions. It was the Lowland Scotts that were the most affluent. The Higland Scotts would have been most likely to wear kilts, but generally less affluent than the Lowlanders. HBC does not yet fully understand this contradition.
The kilt by the mid-20th century was worn on several different occasions or as part of a school uniform. HBC believes that before World War I (1914-18), some boys may have worn the kilt as an everyday garment.
HBC believes that before World War I (1914-18), some boys may have worn the kilt as an everyday garment. HBC has, however. little information at this time on how commonly the kilt was worn in the early 20th cebtury.
Many kilts were kept and worn for Sunday Best. Up until about 1970, the majority of boys went to Sunday school, bible class, or church, and Sunday clothes were obligatory. In Scotland, this usually meant The Kilt. In most areas of Scotland, a significant number of boys and several men wore Highland Dress on Sundays so it was generally accepted. Hats and gloves were normally worn to and from church in the earlier part of the century but less often after the second world war.
The same Sunday best was worn for parties and special occasions. To parties, young boys would often wear the kilt outfit with just a white shirt and no jacket. One of the most important special occassions were weddings. Ring bearers and ushers may have special kilt costumes, but boys attending the weddeing may also wear kilts.
Some scout and cadet troops were/are kilted and this was another occasion when boys would wear a Highland Dress without discussion. Some scout troops insisted that all boys be kilted for parades but could wear shorts on other occasions. Other troops insisted that the boys were kilted at all times and for all activities, including physical exercise. The kilt was usually recommended for camp.
For Scottish country dancing it is obligatory to wear a kilt. Up to about the mid 1960's many mothers sent their sons for dance lessons and if they were any good at all they took part in competitions. Dancing competitions usually took place on a raised stage in front of judges and audience.
Kilts were often worn to School. Boys wore kilts to both state and private schools. But the cnventions varied at these different schools. State primary schools catered for children up to about 12 years of age and secondary state schools continued their education up to the official leaving age of 15 (up to 1950 and 16 thereafter) or up to 18 for those going on to university. Private schools (fee paying) were either day schools or boarding schools and covered the age range of 5 to 12 (preparatory schools) and secondary education up to age 18.
Some boys took to wearing the kilt and enjoyed the experience greatly while others did not. In the enclosed environment of boarding schools and, to a lesser extent, fee paying day schools, kilts were generally accepted since all or most boys had to wear them. Up to about 1970 or 1980, all of these establishments were single gender so potential confusion with 'girls' was completely avoided.
It was usually much more difficult and required much more courage for a boy to wear a kilt in a state school, either primary or secondary. A Kiltie was 'different' and anyone who was different was regarded as fair game. A kilted boy was often teased for wearing a 'skirt' and looking like a girl! A kilt was also very vulnerable. The tartan pleats could blow up in a strong wind or just flick up when the boy was running, playing football in the playground, climbing trees, or just horsing around. Even worse, the kilt could be lifted up by malicious boys (or girls) to reveal kilted underwear (or lack of it). The first day at school was usually pure torture as the others singled a kilt wearer out for attention and teasing. Some fell by the wayside and gave up after a week or so and another Kilty was often lost to the world. Quite a lot depended on whether or not there were other Kilties present. A fellow kilt wearer in class was of inestimable benefit, but another boy in a not-too- distant class would serve equally well if it was a small school. At root, there was significant jealousy since the families of many boys could not or chose not to afford a kilt.
Our Scottish HBC reader has provided a detailed description of the kilts worn by Scottish boys in the 20th century. While the kilt itself has changed little, some of the conventions associated weith wearing the kilt and the popularity of the assessories have changed. While the kilt is the principal and most well-known garment associated with Highland dress, many other garments makeup a complete Higland outfit. As the 20th century progresses, some of the other items such as headwear and the plaid have become less popular.
Various Scotts remember their younger days when they wore kilts as boys. Our HBC contributor has collected personal accounts dating back ti the 1920s. For the most part these accounts deal with school and Scouts, but some boys especially in the early part of the century wore the kilt for every day wear.
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