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15.09.2021 18:03 •  Английский язык

A PROUD TRADITION The tartan kilt is a well-­known and very striking part of Scottish national dress. It is a

pleated, woollen, knee-­length garment, like a skirt, which is usually worn by men. What

makes the kilt so recognisable is its multi­-coloured pattern of squares and stripes. Each

distinct pattern is known as a tartan, and today more than one hundred different tartans are

widely available. Many of these are associated with a certain family, region or organisation.

The modern kilt evolved from the belted plaid, which was a long piece of patterned

cloth. The bottom half was pleated and then wrapped around the wearer’s waist, and the

top half was thrown over his shoulder. The belted plaid dates back to the early 17th cen-

tury, when it was very common among Scottish Highlanders. It wasn’t long before tartan

became a strong symbol of Scotland. During the late 18th century, the shorter kilt which

we know today, gradually began to replace the belted plaid as the standard national dress.

During the 19th century, the development of mechanical looms meant that the same

patterns could be easily produced over and over again. It was during this period that most

of the family and regional tartans were designed. All of the old Scottish families, or clans,

had their own tartans. In fact most had at least two different designs; a brightly coloured

design for evening wear, and a hunting tartan for everyday wear. The hunting tartan con-

tained duller brown and green colours that allowed the wearer to blend into the Scottish

moors, when he was out hunting.

These days, the kilt is normally worn with a plain white shirt and a jacket. A sporran,

which is a small leather or fur pouch, is worn around the waist and hangs at the front of

the kilt. This is especially useful since the kilt has no pockets. Socks should either be white

or the same tartan as the kilt. It is also traditional to carry a small knife, or dagger, in the

right sock.

Today, if you spend some time in Scotland, you are bound to see plenty of people wearing

kilts. Although it certainly isn’t everyday dress anymore, there are all sorts of occasions,

from formal dinners to football matches, where people will proudly put on their family

tartan.

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