Great Kilt
Some of the first written evidence of a kilt like garment is from a publication in 1582 of a 25 volume series of books called ‘The History of Scotland’. The author, George Buchanan, describes the kilt as consisting of a tightly woven cross striped woollen length of cloth worn as a garment by day and blanket by night. This is a description of what came to be known as the Breacan-an-feileadh or feileadh mor, simply translated as the big wrap. It was a large piece of woollen cloth that may have had the criss cross weave or just plain, depending on how adventurous the local weaver was. It was made from 2 pieces of cloth around 28 inches wide (roughly 71 cm or the size of a hand loom) and 3 – 4 yards (approximately 274 cm - 366 cm) in length, these 2 pieces were then sewn together at the width, making the cloth double width.
Measurements
For the Breacan-an-feileadh, or belted great kilt, ideally you want the fabric wide enough to go from your knees to the top of your head. In today's terms "double width" fabric refers to anything 54"(137 cm) wide or more, which is usually sufficient unless you are extremely tall. It also normally measures approximately between 3.50 to 4.50 metres (4 to 5 yards).
Our great kilt is made from 100% organic linen or cotton that is digitally printed on one side with tartan. Due to the ink having to sink in to the linen, the printed tartan tends to come out muted or weathered in style. We measure two lengths of 4.5 metres with a width of 130-132 cm and sew these together to form the Breacan-an-feileadh. The rest is down to you.
How to Wear a Great Kilt
First lay the kilt fabric out on the floor. Lie on the outside right (when lying down, so the outside left when looking down on it, the Tropical Kilts tag will show you the correct side) of the fabric and measure your hips to see where this lies. Best to lift the linen to your right and measure it to top of your left hip, when this fits place your hand where you lay on the right side and get up. Now pleat the kilt from where your hand is outwards to the other side by gathering the fabric into folds, you can use the tartan as an aide here).
Next take your kilt belt and lay this underneath the kilt, you can push the sides in slightly to do this.
Then lie down on the right side of the kilt where you measured your hips and lay on the pleats with the unpleated apron slightly to the right of your hip. Your knees should be at the end of the bottom (i.e. the fabric is halfway on or under the kneecap). Next take the right side of the kilt up to around your nipples and pull it across your body until it rests on the outside of your opposite leg, the top will be roughly at chest height. Then pull the other side of the kilt over the top of the first side to your right hip. Then move the belt to be at waist level and fasten it, you can now stand up.
The upper part of the fabric can then be worn in a number of ways, for example, when standing let the fabric drop down. Then take the fabric piece hanging down on the left side and pull outwards, fold over a bit of the fabric then pass it back around the right hip and tuck into the belt at the back. Then take the other side and repeat for the other side. Then lean around and take an edge of the fabric at the right on the back, pass it to the front and up to the chest on the right before gathering a piece from the back left, pulling it up and over the shoulder to fasten together (with a clasp, do not pin or you will damage the fabric) with a broach.
​
You can watch Andy the Highlander do this here:
Great Kilt front
Great Kilt back
Great Kilt unclasped
Great Kilt front
Traditional Customised Kilt
The small kilt or modern kilt emerged in the 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of the great kilt. Since the 19th century, it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland, and more broadly with Gaelic or Celtic heritage. Although the kilt is most often worn by men on formal occasions and at Highland games and other sports events, it has also been adapted as an item of informal male clothing, returning to its roots as an everyday garment.
​
Our customised linen kilt is based on the 5 yard tartan kilt.
Measurements
The measurements for customised kilts are based on your personal measurements. How to measure these can be seen on our order page.
How to Wear a Customised Kilt
Open up the kilt then hold it open behind your body with the top at belly button (navel) level. Take the kilt strap from the inner apron on the right side, pass it around your stomach and through the hole in the fabric on the left side then fasten with the corresponding buckle. Next pass the outer apron around your stomach covering the inner apron and fasten the kilt straps to the corresponding buckles on the right hip. You are done! I prefer to add a belt through the belt loops at the back before fasting the kilt as it makes it easier to do up. The final touch is then to fasten on a sporran.
Custom made Linen and Cotton kilt in Malaysia
Custom made Linen and Cotton kilt
Custom made Linen and Cotton kilt
Custom made Linen and Cotton kilt in Malaysia