Wear the sailor sweater Irish style
Wearing a navy sweater with jeans, of course you've done it before. Worn it with a chino too. When it was cold, you combined it with your best thick corduroy pants. And conversely, at the end of a summer evening, you didn't question it when it came to wearing it with shorts. But did you ever think of matching your navy sweater with a kilt? No ? What if we told you that these two traditional pieces work well together and that there is no need to play the bagpipes to wear it. We'll show you right now:
1. Scotland, clan and tartan
The kilt is much more than a plaid skirt for men that is worn during Saint Patrick's Day or the Interceltic Festival. Moreover, and although it strongly resembles it, it is not really a skirt. Before talking about style, it is appropriate to give back its letters of nobility to a piece sometimes mocked.
If the kilt has existed for thousands of years, its modern version as we know it appears in the eighteenth century. It is also during this century that the kilt is really imposed in Scotland. Originally, it was a traditional garment of the Highlands, presenting itself more in the form of a plaid. Deemed too impractical, it will be cut in two to become the "skirt" that we know.
The tartan kilt is made with a tartan, a thick woolen fabric different from tweed. Composed of different colors and lines more or less wide, it is the signature of the different Scottish clans. Indeed, the pattern made by the crossing of the lines (called sett) represents the mark of a clan, a family or even a geographical place. Originally considered only a traditional garment, it quickly became the ideal garment for ceremonies. In the 20th century, it became closely linked to the revival of the Celtic revival. It is even used by the army, as an official uniform,
. Today, the kilt has become more democratic. It is not only reserved to the Celtic countries, and we can see it worn all over the world now. If it is still used as a ceremonial garment, men also wear the kilt during more classic events like a soccer or rugby match and even to go to work! Finally, and like whisky, Ireland shares with Scotland this cultural particularity as it also has its own kilts.
2. An elegant outfit for a ceremony
Of course, the first outfit that we will see is the one that we would wear at a wedding for example. At first, we replace the shirt and tie by a navy sweater. Since the kilt will be patterned, we choose the plain sweater, either navy or ecru. The second option can be more interesting since it is quite possible to imagine associating the color of our sweater with that of the traditional high socks.
Over the sweater, a beautiful navy blue jacket will dress up the set in the most beautiful way. And, logically, the pair of shoes that we wear is a pair of black brogues, real wink to the origins of the kilt. Finally, don't forget your purse, your brooch and, above all, your sgian dubh!
3. A day in a kilt
As mentioned above, the kilt is no longer reserved only for ceremonies and other important events. For this outfit, we go to the essential: no more traditional accessories! We also drop the jacket. The kilt can be in tartan but if you do not want the Scottish fabric, it is possible to choose it plain or with another pattern, like Prince of Wales for example. The sweater can be either plain or striped depending on your choice of kilt.
The color doesn't matter, as long as the two pieces match! The socks, although they must remain high, can for example be dressed in a nice charcoal gray to be more discreet. Finally, on the feet, a pair of leather sneakers, black or white depending on the choice of socks, will do the trick.
Finally, the kilt is not just a skirt for men. A terribly masculine piece, it is the perfect marriage between century-old traditions and modernity. Whether for everyday life or for ceremonies, the kilt can be a great alternative to classic outfits. So dare !
