Figure 1.--

Major changes in kilt usage appear to have occurred after World War I. Scottish boys still wore kilts after World War I, but almost always for special occasions or as part of a uniform. Poor children no longer wore kilts as kilts became increasingly costly. Most Scottish boys, like English boys, wore short pants after the War. Kilts were still worn as part of various uniforms: Cubs and Scouts, Boys' Brigade, pipe bands, private school uniforms, etc. A Scottish source reports that kilt wear by boys became more popular in the 1920s and even more so in the 1930s. This was primarily connected with the growth of the Scout movement. This tradition continues to be fairly wide spread even in the 1990s. Cubs and even more so Scouts very commonly wore kilts. Scottish contributors report that it was quite common for boys to wear kilts to school in the early part of the 20th century. HBC believes that kilts were still commonly worn after World War I, but less so than before the war, especially to state schools. Kilts were much more common at private schools, many of which made a point of keeping up traditions and the children came from families which could afford elaborate uniforms. In some cases boys could wear kilts or trousers. Other schools required kilts, but most just required them for dress wear such as church. An affluent Scottish boy might a kilt which he would wear with a tweed jacket for dress occasions. Boys also might wear a kilt to formal occasions like weddings. Until the 1920s, Highland dancing was largely a male preserve. The prevelance of boys dressing in fancy kilts for competitive dancing began to decline in the 1920s. Increasing numbers of girls began to enter the competitons and slowly brgan to dominate.

Conventions

Scottish boys still wore kilts after World War I, but almost always for special occasions or as part of a uniform. Poor children no longer wore kilts as kilts became increasingly costly. Most Scottish boys, like English boys, wore short pants after the War. Kilts were still worn as part of various uniforms: Cubs and Scouts, Boys' Brigade, pipe bands, private school uniforms, etc.

Scouting

A Scottish source reports that kilt wear by boys became more popular in the 1920s and even more so in the 1930s. This was primarily connected with the growth of the Scout movement. This tradition continues to be fairly wide spread even in the 1990s. Cubs and even more so Scouts very commonly wore kilts. The kilt is properly worn at knee length. Often Scouts would wear shorter kilts as they were growing so fast that it was to expensive for their parents to be constantly buying new kilts.

Schoolwear

Scottish contributors report that it was quite common for boys to wear kilts to school in the early part of the 20th century. HBC believes that kilts were still commonly worn after World War I, but less so than before the war, especially to state schools. However, I am checking this with HBC Scottish contributors. Kilts were much more common at private schools, many of which made a point of keeping up traditions and the children came from families which could afford elaborate uniforms. In some cases boys could wear kilts or trousers. Other schools required kilts, but most just required them for dress wear such as church. An affluent Scottish boy might a kilt which he would wear with a tweed jacket for dress occasions. Boys also might wear a kilt to formal occasions like weddings.

Highland Dance

Until the 1920s, Highland dancing was largely a male preserve. The prevelance of boys dressing in fancy kilts for competitive dancing began to decline in the 1920s. Increasing numbers of girls began to enter the competitons and slowly began to dominate.

Usage

A family portrait of two brothers abou 5-7 years of age gives a good idea about how boys wore kilts in Scotland, perhaps in the 1930s. Theolder brother wears a kilt as a suit outfit, complete with Balmoral, This was not a Higland kilt outfit, but what he probably wore to church or other dress up occasion. His little brotherwears a more casual outfit. We are not sure if this was an everyday outfit, or simply concession yo his age and a dress up outfit.

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[Scottish boys clothing] [Scottish school uniform]
[Highland dance] [Scottish pipe band]
[Irish kilts] [Irish boys clothing] [Irish step dancing]
[Greek kilts] [Kilt suits]

Created: January 16, 2002
Last updated: January 16, 2002