Boys' Pipe Band Uniform Garments: Kilts


Figure 1.--This Scottish piper is a member of a pipeband celebrating the Queen's Jubilee in June 2002. Notice how the bag pipe, kilr, and kneesocks all match. I'm not sure which tartan this is.

A proper kilt is 8 yards and hand-sewn by professional kiltmakers. Pipe bands wear kilts are available in Scottish clan tartans, Scottish district tartans and Irish county tartans. They generally come in middleweight, heavyweight and regimental weight. They can be quite expensive. A man's kilt can cost $300 or more. Boys' kilts are somewhat less, depending on the boy's size. The modern Scottish kilt worn by pipebands has been influenced by of all people an Englishman who was hiring Scottish workers. It was also influenced by English generals who established Scottish regiments and made decissions about army uniforms. And of course there was Queen Victoria who helped to popularize the kilt in the 19th Century as boys' clothes, introducing the kilt to unsuspecting English boys and eventually to American boys without a drop of English blood and who had never even heard of Scotland. Some bands allow members wear a kilt in the tartan of his or her choice. The variety of tartans is used in the band program to explain the history of the tartan and the kilt and to illustrate the wide variety of tartan patterns. Some bands caution their members, "Be cautious of going cheap, here!" There is absolutely no substitute for the comfort, fit and years of service of a properly made kilt. We take particular care to have them made by competent tailors, and to maintain and wear them with pride! Individuals may choose their family tartan, a district tartan, or other kilt-making cloth from other Celtic cultures. Some may be "Dress" pleated (to sett), and others may be "Military" pleated (to stripe). Peasant attire can include some of the more ancient forms of the kilt!






Christopher Wagner







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Created: July 9, 2002
Last updated: July 9, 2002