Kilt vs. Skirt: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A kilt is a traditional Scottish garment with pleats at the back, typically made of tartan, while a skirt is a general term for any lower-body garment hanging from the waist.
Key Differences
A kilt is a specific type of skirt traditionally worn by men, originating from Scotland, and often made of tartan fabric with distinct pleats at the back. A skirt, in contrast, is a broader term referring to any garment hanging from the waist and covering part of the legs, worn by people of any gender.
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Nov 18, 2023
Kilts are strongly associated with Scottish culture and often worn on formal occasions, featuring unique designs signifying clan affiliations. Skirts, however, are a universal garment with a wide variety of styles and designs, used in numerous cultures around the world for both casual and formal attire.
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The design of a kilt includes a flat front and pleated rear, fastened with straps and buckles, typically knee-length. Skirts vary greatly in design, including different lengths (mini, midi, maxi), styles (pencil, A-line, pleated), and methods of fastening (elastic, zippers, buttons).
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Kilts are often made from wool and feature a tartan pattern, symbolizing Scottish heritage. Skirts can be made from a wide range of materials including cotton, silk, denim, and synthetic fabrics, without any specific pattern or cultural significance.
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Traditionally, kilts are part of men's attire, though modern fashion sees them worn by all genders. Skirts have been more commonly associated with women's fashion but are increasingly worn by people of all genders as a statement of style and individuality.
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Comparison Chart
Typical Wearers
Traditionally men, now all genders
Traditionally women, now all genders
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Cultural Significance
Symbolic in Scottish culture
Widespread, with no specific cultural tie
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Kilt and Skirt Definitions
Kilt
A knee-length skirt with pleats at the back.
The bagpiper's kilt swayed as he marched.
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Skirt
A clothing item worn by people of all genders.
Alex chose a denim skirt for their outfit today.
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Kilt
A ceremonial garment for formal occasions.
He chose a formal kilt for the Highland games.
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Skirt
The part of a garment, such as a dress or coat, that hangs freely from the waist down.
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Oct 19, 2023
Kilt
A traditional Scottish garment for men.
He wore his family's tartan kilt to the wedding.
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Skirt
A garment hanging from the waist and worn especially by women and girls.
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Kilt
A symbol of Scottish heritage.
Wearing a kilt is a way to honor Scottish ancestors.
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Kilt
A knee-length skirt with deep pleats, usually of a tartan wool, worn as part of the dress for men in the Scottish Highlands.
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Oct 19, 2023
Skirt
A piece of fabric that extends over or beyond something to afford protection.
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Skirt
An outer edge; a border or margin
A base camp on the skirt of the mountain.
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Kilt
A traditional Scottish garment, usually worn by men, having roughly the same morphology as a wrap-around skirt, with overlapping front aprons and pleated around the sides and back, and usually made of twill-woven worsted wool with a tartan pattern.
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Kilt
(historical) Any Scottish garment from which the above lies in a direct line of descent, such as the philibeg, or the great kilt or belted plaid
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Skirt
To lie along or form the edge of; border
The creek that skirts our property.
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Kilt
A plaid, pleated school uniform skirt sometimes structured as a wraparound, sometimes pleated throughout the entire circumference; also worn by boys in the 19th-century United States.
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Skirt
To pass around rather than across or through
Changed their course to skirt the storm.
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Kilt
A variety of non-bifurcated garments made for men and loosely resembling a Scottish kilt, but most often made from different fabrics and not always with tartan plaid designs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Kilt
A kind of short petticoat, reaching from the waist to the knees, worn in the Highlands of Scotland by men, and in the Lowlands by young boys; a filibeg.
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Kilt
A knee-length pleated tartan skirt worn by men in the Highlands of northern Scotland
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Skirt
An article of clothing, usually worn by women and girls, that hangs from the waist and covers the lower part of the body.
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Kilt
A garment made from tartan fabric.
His kilt displayed a bright red and green tartan pattern.
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Skirt
To be on or form the border of.
The plain was skirted by rows of trees.
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Skirt
To move around or along the border of; to avoid the center of.
Skirt a mountain
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Skirt
To avoid or ignore (something); to manage to avoid (something or a problem); to skate by (something).
He skirted the issue of which parties to attend by staying at home instead.
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Skirt
The lower and loose part of a coat, dress, or other like garment; the part below the waist; as, the skirt of a coat, a dress, or a mantle.
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Skirt
A loose edging to any part of a dress.
A narrow lace, or a small skirt of ruffled linen, which runs along the upper part of the stays before, and crosses the breast, being a part of the tucker, is called the modesty piece.
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Skirt
To cover with a skirt; to surround.
Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold.
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Skirt
To border; to form the border or edge of; to run along the edge of; as, the plain was skirted by rows of trees.
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Skirt
To be on the border; to live near the border, or extremity.
Savages . . . who skirt along our western frontiers.
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Skirt
Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues);
He dodged the issue
She skirted the problem
They tend to evade their responsibilities
He evaded the questions skillfully
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Skirt
Pass around or about; move along the border;
The boat skirted the coast
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Skirt
Extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle;
The forest surrounds my property
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Skirt
A garment hanging from the waist covering part of the legs.
She wore a flowing skirt to the summer festival.
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Skirt
A garment of varying lengths and styles.
Her midi skirt paired well with her boots.
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Skirt
A versatile fashion piece.
The pencil skirt is perfect for office attire.
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Skirt
A common garment in diverse cultures.
Traditional skirts are part of many cultural dresses.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a skirt?
A skirt is a garment hanging from the waist, covering part of the legs, worn by people of all genders.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are kilts only worn by men?
Traditionally, kilts were worn by men, but now they are worn by people of all genders.
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Can skirts be of different lengths?
Yes, skirts come in various lengths like mini, midi, and maxi.
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Is the kilt a symbol of anything?
The kilt is often seen as a symbol of Scottish heritage and culture.
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Are skirts culturally specific?
Skirts are a universal garment, found in many cultures around the world.
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What material is a kilt usually made of?
Kilts are traditionally made of woolen cloth in a tartan pattern.
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What types of skirts are there?
There are many types, including A-line, pencil, pleated, and wrap skirts.
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Nov 18, 2023
What is a kilt?
A kilt is a traditional Scottish garment, typically knee-length with pleats at the back.
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Nov 18, 2023
Do kilts have a specific pattern?
Yes, kilts often feature tartan patterns, each associated with different Scottish clans.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is a skirt considered formal or casual wear?
Skirts can be both, depending on the style and material.
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How do you wear a kilt?
A kilt is wrapped around the waist, fastened with straps and buckles.
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Are there gender-specific skirts?
Skirts are worn by people of all genders, though styles may vary.
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What events are kilts traditionally worn at?
Kilts are often worn at formal occasions, weddings, and cultural events in Scotland.
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Can kilts be worn in everyday settings?
While traditionally formal, kilts are also worn casually in modern times.
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Can skirts be worn in professional settings?
Yes, certain styles like pencil skirts are suitable for professional settings.
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Can skirts be made from different fabrics?
Yes, skirts can be made from a variety of fabrics like cotton, silk, denim, and synthetic materials.
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Are skirts part of traditional costumes?
Yes, skirts are part of traditional costumes in many cultures.
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Do kilts have a fixed length?
Kilts are generally knee-length but can vary slightly based on tradition and personal preference.
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Is the kilt worn with special accessories?
Yes, kilts are often worn with accessories like a sporran, kilt hose, and ghillie brogues.
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Do skirts have cultural significance?
While skirts are worn globally, they can have specific cultural significance in certain societies.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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