8 Australian creatives style a kilt
IMAGE VIA @sofamiliastore/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY RUBY STALEY
Off kilt-er.
The collective hatred for high school kilts has seriously simmered down since I was in year 12. Once despised by schoolkids across the nation, the kilt is now being voluntarily sported by all my fashion faves. Originating from Scotland in the 16th century, the kilt (or the midi tartan skirt) has since become both a symbol of the ’60s punk movement and of private school education. What a combo!
While balancing a variety of historical significance, the humble kilt is also just an incredibly well-designed and often expertly crafted garment. Commonly made from a thick wool (sometimes cotton) fabrication, the design is warm while still being breezy enough to wear year-round. The body-skimming, A-line silhouette is flattering, while the signature pleats add interest.
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Cute with a baby tee, my favourite sheer button down or dressed up with a blazer, I even bought one of my own (pictured below). And I can’t lie, I’ve been loving it. Playing off the school uniform I was forced to wear for six years, this reinvention of the kilt trend looks cute with school-type loafers and ballet flats – who would’ve known my all-girls Catholic school would be ahead of the curve?
To help convince you of the kilt’s versatility beyond its current trend status, I asked some of my favourite cool people to also show me how they like to wear the style.
Aleisha Fdv, she/her, owner of Online Vtg
I’ve always found beauty in kilts. Buying and selling vintage for over 15 years, I’ve come across a lot [of kilts] and instantly been drawn to them, each with their own life lived before ever entering mine. I’ve never really seen them as a trend, but I do love to see how people incorporate them into their own style.
Like most people in Melbourne, I enjoy a good, layered outfit. A kilt is the perfect layer! They look great over trackies, a nice pair of pants, or even another kilt if you want to be a little extra. Here, I’m styling mine with Karlaidlaw Sport Pants and Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp Logo Removal Tee. The outfit was already top-notch, but the kilt took it next level!
Fun fact: the Scots who fought in WWI wore kilts and were known as The Ladies From Hell, which is totally a badass nickname. I too feel like a badass lady from hell in a kilt.
Ayla Anderson, she/her, fashion design student
As a fashion design student, there’s always friendly (and sometimes not) competition to see who shows up to class in the most fire fit. I’m pretty competitive, so I had to go the extra mile and wear my vintage kilt to class. I paired my kilt with a basic white tank and a crochet shirt I cut into a bolero.
I was inspired by @olivengcanty for this fit. I also added my Nike Shox R4s, my usual silver jewellery and hair clips to finish it off. I love the kilt trend because it’s a traditional formal men’s item, but looks amazing styled with very casual clothing and can fit into feminine styles. I also love it because my heritage is Scottish and I would love a kilt with the Anderson tartan one day.
Jacqui Alford-Crofts, she/her, online creator
I’m living for kilts having a moment right now, tartan is such a timeless print. I love styling them with big stompy boots and skirt pins. I’m living out the Little J from Gossip Girl, indie sleaze and punk moments from back in high school.
Small top with too-big skirt and boots, always. This kilt is a thrifted number. I’ve found so many kilts when I’ve been op shopping in the country but never seen one in the city. I believe it’s a proper woollen kilt from Scotland, it even has leather buckles at the top!
Stella Brackenridge, she/her, co-founder of Second Life Markets
I’m glad kilts are getting the comeback and attention they deserve. It’s only natural it occurred alongside the Y2K movement – it’s giving Clueless, it’s giving Vivienne Westwood, it’s giving Rachel Green. It’s no wonder I can’t find a Chopova Lowena skirt in my preference for love or money. I am a kilt lover. I inherited a silly amount of kilts from my mum and have collected my own vintage ones along the way (vintage kilts are the only way to go).
I’m not a huge skirt girl – I’m more a pants girl – but with a kilt, I love the weight of the wool. Anything in red tartan is an immediate yes and pays homage to the highlands. I’ve styled my kilt with a Vivienne Westwood knit top and some chunky boots – naturally. It all ties in appropriately punk-like together. I also love to pair kilts with high socks for a classic schoolgirl moment.
Hattie Nixon, she/her, content creator
Oh, tartan, how I love you! My mum bought this vintage skirt for me years ago in the States, and I love to pair it with vests, tees, blouses and jackets. It’s so versatile. I’ve always had some sort of tartan in my wardrobe, and it’s played a big role in my love of fashion. It came with this awesome gold safety clip that ensures I’m not flashing my crotch… it just adds a really cool detail and flair.
I love the tartan trend. It’s super grunge but elegant, eclectic and can be super glam. Paired with my thrifted Ganni tee and coat, my mum’s cowgirl boots, and some gold jewellery, I feel like I’m ready to walk the streets of Melbourne (in my dreams – Brissy people, wya?).
Rasy Bayu, they/them, vintage seller and content creator
Kilts are so nostalgic and reminiscent of the Tumblr ‘soft grunge’ days to me. I love how tartan print naturally exudes an edgy masc vibe, which is fun to mix sharp and sweet elements with! There’s definitely a rockstar energy you can’t help but lean into when wearing tartan. In the words of FKA Twigs, “I’m not the accessory to the rockstar, I’m the rockstar”.
For this fit, I am wearing a 2000s-era take on the traditional kilt. This skirt is actually from the pile of stock I haven’t listed yet on Depop, so it could soon be yours! I kept the top simple with a black tank and added a vintage lacey bolero for some softness and textural juxtaposition. My platform sandals are from Buffalo London and my Sex Earrings are from Meanjin-based accessories designer, Monirath.
Jai Kaldor, she/her, creative agent
Kilts are just the bomb. The tartan, the buckles, the weight… so sexy. I have five, all in traditional Scottish clan colours and made out of wool blends. I’ve found them at op shops, mainly in smaller towns.
I’m pairing my kilts with a corset, a vintage bodysuit or my tight Jean Paul Gaultier sweetheart-cut long sleeve. Also with high-calf boots, loafers or ballet flats. I’m also into layering atm. These vintage bootcut pants (from mum’s closet) under a shorter kilt and a bodysuit are so perfect. And with silver hardware jewellery, always.
Kara Otter, she/her, designer and co-owner of So Familia
I’ve always had a massive crush on tartan, for literally any season. It’s the perfect woven fabric for a subtle and perfect print clash! Pull out any colour in the tartan fabric and wear a top or accessories in [the same shade]. Or the easiest way to pair it is just with black boots, black stockings and a black jumper or baby tee.
A kilt and always effortlessly cool… whether it’s currently trending or not. It’s always cool! At So Familia store, we always have some vintage tartan pieces in store for anyone else keen to jump on the trend.
For more on kilts and how to style them, head here.
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