Figure 1.--

Some sources suggest that Scottish boys were commonly wearing kilts by the 19th century. Definitive information, however, is not available. It appears that kilts were worn by fashionally dressed boys. It also appears many poor boys also wore simple kilts. I do not believe this was a national statement, but rather reflected the cost of trousers. Only in the late 19th Century as the price of trousers began to decline in real terms did the wearing of the kilt begin to disappear in Scotland among poor children. I believe at mid-century the kilt may have been more common among boys than their fathers, but I am unable at this time to confirm this from historical sources. The industrial revolution enabled the precise manufacturing and replication made possible by machinery, allowed the mass reproduction of the plaid. Many of the poor boys wearing kilts, however, wore cheap cloth kilts rather than more expensive tartans. It is unclear if Scottish boys were wearing kilts to go to school or for play and work. It appears that the kilt in Scotland during the 19th Century was primarily worn for dress occaions by middle class and wealthy boys for dressing up, such as church, parties, weddings and other formal occasions. I'm unsure how the kilt was worn by poorer and middle-class boys. Victoria's grandchildren, for example, wore kilts for casual wear while in Scotland. Available photographic images available from the mid 19th Century onward provides a somewhat better idea of the extent of kilt usage in Scotland and just who was wearing kilts. One Scottish HBC contributor reports that kilt wearing by boys in Scotland began to spread from the affluent and middle class to urban or non-Highland "respectable" (more affluent) working class in the 1880s, although HBC can not yet substaniate this.

Extent

Some sources suggest that Scottish boys were commonly wearing kilts by the 19th century. Definitive information, however, is not available.

Social Class

It appears that kilts were worn by fashionally dressed boys. It also appears many poor boys also wore simple kilts. One Scottish HBC contributor reports that kilt wearing by boys in Scotland began to spread from the affluent and middle class to urban or non-Highland "respectable" (more affluent) working class in the 1880s, although HBC can not yet substaniate this.

Economics

I do not believe that the poor boys wearing kilts were making a national statement, but rather reflected the cost of trousers. Only in the late 19th Century as the price of trousers began to decline in real terms did the wearing of the kilt begin to disappear in Scotland among poor children. Hard-working parents were willing to splurge on costumes for their offspring (providing they did not have too many). The kilts were incredibly hard wearing and could fit suceeding children as they grew up. Incidentally, kilts do not seem to have been cleaned.

Age Trends

I believe at mid-century the kilt may have been more common among boys than their fathers, but I am unable at this time to confirm this from historical sources. The industrial revolution enabled the precise manufacturing and replication made possible by machinery, allowed the mass reproduction of the plaid. Many of the poor boys wearing kilts, however, wore cheap cloth kilts rather than more expensive tartans.

Conventions

It is unclear if Scottish boys were wearing kilts to go to school or for play and work. It appears that the kilt in Scotland during the 19th Century was primarily worn for dress occaions by middle class and wealthy boys for dressing up, such as church, parties, weddings and other formal occasions. I'm unsure how the kilt was worn by poorer and middle-class boys. Victoria's grandchildren, for example, wore kilts for casual wear while in Scotland.

Photographic Evidence

Available photographic images available from the mid 19th Century onward provides a somewhat better idea of the extent of kilt usage in Scotland and just who was wearing kilts. HBC has, however, so far been able to acquire few 19th century images.

Highland Games

Highland Games were very popular throughout Scotland and boys began to take up competitive Highland dancing. (Unlike modern Highland Games, girls did not dominate the dancing competitions.) Elaborate costumes of tartan, velvet, and lace were habitually worn.

Kilt Suits

HBC notes that so-called kilt suits became a very common style for young American boys in the late-19th century. The name was a misnomer as they were more like skirted suits, but they were called kilt suits and many younger boys wore them rather than dresses. HBC is unsure to what extent this was an American style. We do not know to what extent these kilt suits were worn in Scotland and England.

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing kilt pages:
[Return to the Main kilt page]
[Return to the Main Scottish kilt page]
[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