Highland dress

Highland dress is the traditional national attire of Scotland, with the kilt being its most recognizable element. The kilt is a knee-length, skirt-like garment made of wool, permanently pleated at the back and wrapping around the waist with overlapping flat ends at the front.1

Both the kilt and the accompanying plaid (a length of cloth worn over the shoulder) are typically made from tartan fabric. Tartan is characterized by a repeating cross-checked pattern of different colored bands and stripes woven into woolen cloth. While tartan patterns have existed in various cultures, they are strongly associated with Scotland and often serve as emblems for specific families or clans.21

The ensemble evolved in the 17th century from a single piece of cloth into the separate kilt and plaid garments seen today. Unlike many national costumes worn only for special occasions, Highland dress is still worn for everyday purposes in Scotland and serves as the uniform for Scottish regiments in the British Army.1