Scottish beret: options, description, what to wear

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

There is probably no such person in the world who has not heard of the Scottish national costume. This is a perfectly thought out to the smallest detail and harmonious outfit, which consists of several elements. Each part clearly demonstrates the clan and even the hierarchical affiliation of the Scot.

The main characteristic detail of this outfit is a checkered skirt called a kilt, made of tartan fabric, which wraps around the waist. Today, kilts are made from synthetic materials. Large folds are made on the back of the skirt for decoration. The kitl is fastened with special straps and buckles.

As a rule, the skirt is worn with a special hip bag (sporran), a knife and a pom-pom beret.

What's in a Scottish costume?

The upper part of the suit is a doublet jacket or linen shirt, over whichthrow on a cape-plaid made of tartan. Knee-length knee-high socks and large shoes, decorated with metal buckles, are put on the legs. The color of golfs depended on belonging to a particular class or clan: most often they were white, less often - checkered with colors to match the kilt.

Shoes are called brogues - leather shoes with long laces and perforations.

Complements this outfit with a Scottish beret with a pompom or feather. The sporran is attached to the skirt with a chain or a wide leather belt with a large metal buckle.

Translated from the Anglo-Scottish language, the word "kilt" means "to wrap", which is what this men's skirt in the Scottish national costume does. Translated from Old Norse, this word means "folded" and dates back to the Vikings, who wore similar clothes with pleats. Distinguished between small and large kilt.

The Big Scots wore almost until the 18th century - it was a multi-meter piece of tartan, reminiscent of a plaid.

It was laid on the ground on top of the unfolded belt, after which the central part was assembled into folds. The Scot lay down along the folds with his back, and he was wrapped in side parts. This is where the name kilt comes from. After tightening the belt, the outfit took on a meaningful look: its lower part became a skirt, and the upper part was thrown over one or both shoulders, like a cape. The Scottish classic suit did not restrict movement, after crossing the swamps and rivers it quickly dried out and warmed well when its ownerhad to stay overnight in the open air.

Kilt small can be seen in modern costumes. To go out, the outfit is completed with a snow-white smart shirt with a butterfly, a vest and an official national jacket - Argyll or Prince Charlie.

Scots, wherever they are, honor their national traditions, therefore, as in the 16th century, they still wear a checkered kilt. At the same time, on male hips, the skirt does not at all look like a parody of the female counterpart, on the contrary, it successfully emphasizes strength and masculinity.

Scottish National Hats

In the national costume, there are several options for berets, but they are all similar, there are practically no differences. To understand how hats differ, let's look at them in more detail.

Balmoral

This is a men's traditional beret with a brightly colored wool pom-pom or satin ribbon. As a rule, it is made from the same material as the kilt. It was named after Balmoral Castle - the private residence of the English kings in Scotland. Represents an alternate version of the traditional tam-o-shanter.

The balmoral beret can be worn with any civilian Scottish suit. Used to be part of the uniform of the Scottish regiments.

Tam-o-shenter or simply Tam

This is another type of national Scottish beret. The historical name blue bonnet means "brimless blue cap". An interesting fact is that before the creation of chemical dyes, every single headdress was blue. Now Scottish berets are sewnfrom tartan, there is a large selection of colors. The name that it now bears was given in honor of the hero of the story in verse "Tam O'Shanter" by Robert Burns. It, like the balmoral, is sometimes decorated with a cockade in the form of the official coat of arms of the clan in the center and a feather on the left side.

The main difference from the previous dress is that it has no ribbons. In wartime, it was also an element of military uniform. Now it is worn for pleasure.

Glengarry

Glengarry is a modified Balmoral model. It is sewn from dense woolen fabric, decorated with ribbons at the back. This type of Scottish beret is often made in black or navy blue.

Earlier, his task was to complement the work clothes in military service. Since the 19th century, it has become the traditional headdress of pipers. Initially, glengarry did not even appear in Scotland, but in the British army as a military headdress to be worn with work uniforms. This hat was designed by Colonel Alexander Reneldson McDonello of Glengarry.

Women's national clothes

Women's Scottish national costume, unfortunately, has not been worn by female representatives for a long time. In the ancient past, it consisted of several parts. It was an underdress, ankle-length, of a very simple cut without any extra decorations. On top of the woman they put on an upper dress, no longer than the knees, which was decorated with a pattern with braid. As an addition, the costume had an apron attached to the dress with convex oval brooches -metal fasteners for clothes. Aprons were sewn from wool, decorated with original embroidery and a border around the edge. As outerwear, women used a wool cape decorated with fur inserts and a warm fringed shawl. On holidays, Scottish women threw a plaid over their shoulders. The headdress was a white linen scarf folded into a triangle and tied under the chin. According to tradition, only married women had to wear hats, girls could walk with their heads uncovered.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say that in the modern world, the Scottish beret is worn with almost everything: with everyday and even formal wear. Now there are no clear divisions and rules regarding the wearing of a beret. There are a couple of rules in the Scottish national costume: the Scots usually wear their headdress slightly to the right, and the glengarry only straight.