LE KILT, HERITAGE FOR THE MODERN WORLD
By: Prachi Khatri
While fashion frequently focuses on the future, it often overlooks the compelling stories from the past. Le Kilt, a UK-based fashion brand, is one such story, bringing the iconic Scottish kilt into classic, timeless pieces of the present. The brand was established in 2014 by Samantha McCoach, inspired by her Scottish heritage.
This Scottish fashion label is known for its premium-quality pieces created with the idea of introducing traditional craftsmanship to today’s audience. A Kilt is Scotland’s iconic garment worn wrapped around the body, typically made of wool and runs to a knee length. The brand aims encourages people to invest in quality pieces over quantity.
Founder and designer of the brand, Smantha McCoach's inspiration stemmed from her grandmother, a skilled Scottish kiltmaker. What began as a personal connection to the craft has now evolved into a powerful design story. McCoach reimagined the idea of a kilt, a staple of Scottish cultural attire, historically a symbol of Scottish identity and masculinity.
Source: La Kilt website
Le Kilt is creating a modern space for its pieces to be worn by a more diversified audience through its thoughtful designs. Its pieces are not only functional but also expressive. Even though the garments incorporate traditional Scottish design elements, they are designed to cater to a contemporary audience.
The traditional roots of the brand, anchored with modern tailoring and craftsmanship, make it an attractive option for a style-conscious audience in today’s world. Traditional tartans are reinvented in pink, metallics, and black, layered with denim, lace, and mash giving a modern twist to the traditional style. The kilts are also designed in a variety of lengths and are sharper in shape, designs that are unexpected but great.
Challenging the idea of who can wear a kilt and what it can be worn with, Le Kilt is setting new standards of versatile styling. Pairing a shirt, a blazer, or a sweater with a kilt makes it an all-season versatile fashion piece loved by today’s fashion enthusiasts all over the world.
Le Kilt’s dedication to staying true to its artisan method of kilt production is what sets them apart. Their garments are made from locally sourced materials in the UK using traditional craftsmanship techniques, guaranteeing their products' authenticity and sustainability. The brand is not only limited to traditional wool kilts; they offer whimsical designs like contrast pleating and asymmetrical hemlines, vests, jackets, etc. The brand recently introduced its garments to cater to a more inclusive, non-binary audience.
Source: La Kilt website
“I ordered 12 tartans to my granny’s house; we made them over Christmas on the kitchen table and did a little photoshoot with my flat mate at the time,” says Ms. McCoach in an interview with British Vogue.
From premium-quality cardigans to hand-knitted Aran vests and accessories, there is something for everyone to meet the high-fashion-meets-heritage theme. Their products range from £375 to £1600, which may seem pricey, but each garment is designed to be a part of a wardrobe essential—an everlasting piece.
In a recent spring/summer launch, the brand also introduced vibrant colors to its collection: mini kilts with crisp suiting that can be worn comfortably anywhere, like they might be worn in the highlands. Le Kilt is not only bridging the gap between past and present through its cultural inclusivity but also inspiring others to reclaim, reimagine, and renew what we already have. Reinvesting what a kilt means, Le Kilt has set a powerful example to the world of how freeing it is to wear a piece of history away from rigid definitions of gender or nationality.