Over-Kill(t) - Kilts are back with a bang and I'm loving them

We all know tartan is back with a bang (check out some of our picks here) and I for one couldn't be happier.

For me the pick of the litter has got to be the kilt. It may be a wee bit Hit Me Baby One More Time for some. And I know I'm officially buying into the 90's revival... which I object to, because I remember the 90's.

But kilts are back and I'm OBSESSED with getting some Scottish vibes into my wardrobe. They bring a nice punk aspect to any outfit, plus I hear this is the season of the skirt. (Hmm, there I was like a common fool wearing a skirt last season - my mistake!)

Luckily for me there are stacks of options on the kilt front:

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Here's a bit of inspiration featuring Britters herself and a kilted Karl Lagerfeld strutting his stuff on the Chanel catwalk. MAN I want to be the type of person who can carry off full length tartan when I'm 71. (This snap's from 04 - Karl's now 80 years young.)

Part of my longing for a fabulous kilt is pure nostalgia - I once BEGGED my mother for a mini-kilt back when they were a wantable thing.

And I seem to remember owning a Topshop kilt that was quite literally 4 whole inches long when I was around 16 years old, I had to wear it with two pairs of VERY thick opaques to avoid being arrested for indecent exposure.

Anyway what's great about the kilt in the shops now is the sheer wearability, there are short and midi and short lengths. So there's no danger of being mistaken for the work experience girl from the local secondary school's transition year. Woop!

Lets start with a classic kilt from Topshop. This kilt perfectly embodies the three commandments of kiltiness; thou shalt be pleated, thou shalt be tartan and thou shalt feature shiny shiny buckles. Check, check and check mate:

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So far, so great. But maybe theres an option that's a bit less literal. This number shouts 'Braveheart', whereas I'm looking for something that whispers 'Oh, hi there, I'm half Scottish on my mothers side'. Here's a great blue tartan option from ASOS that cleverly does that by replacing the classic buckle with a zip. Magic!image4xxl

 

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Midway between these two options is another ASOS offering, this See You Soon Kilt. Love the flattering cut and the lower pleat on this bad boy - plus it's in everyones favorite kilty combo - red and black. You can't go wrong - it's a kilt with a wearable shape.

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There also the option of the kilt in a midi length - great for those who don't like to flash acres of leg. Topshops take comes in pastel tartan and because it's chiffon-y, it avoids the 'school skirt' feel of the heavier wool-type kilts.

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At the other end of the spectrum, if you do have legs that go all the way up, why not nab this Asos Kilt with leather detail? It's not for the faint of heart (or the full of thigh) but I love the length and the tough leather trim. I only wish I had the pins for it!

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Kilts don't have to be crazy - they can be a very sensible doncha know. Great proof if that is this Oasis Check Skirt. It can take you to the office with a nice blouse, it's also perfect for the weekend with a crew neck jumper.

3440092361There's no need to go full Braveheart. Check out how freakin' durable this bad boy from Topshop looks. I love a pinafore for a bit of practicality - takes me right back to primary school. Plus it still has the pleat and the buckle based kilt-credentials.

 

 

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So will you be rocking a kilt this season?

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