Highland Clothes - a Medieval Tartan Fashion Article

Highland Clothes - a Medieval Tartan Fashion - Article Example English society constantly criticized and ridiculed the tartan and the 1746 Act allowed only military personnel serving King George II to wear what was termed, ‘highland clothes.’ Gaelic for a blanket, plaid denotes a type of garment while tartan refers to the actual fabric of the garment. The Act of Parliament on the part of the British hoped to make the Scottish people become more subservient and the law wanted to abolish the dissimilitude of appearance between the Highlanders and the other inhabitants†¦ ( Coltman, p183). Penalties were extremely harsh for those in violation, including six months’ imprisonment for a first offense though it is thought they were often not enforced. Because of this Act, plaid became a highland political currency. Wearing of the plaid and tartan was a clear protest against the British and used by the military. When the Act was repealed in 1782 the tartan had already gained the reputation as forbidden and became a romantic and d esired symbol for the Highland Scotts.It was suggested that tartan plaid was distinctively Roman, using folds of fabric in a toga-like representation much like the warring Roman’s wore. Though some would believe the tartan and plaid a new fad in the 1700’s, the archeologist has actually shown that Celts were weaving plaid for at least three thousand years, using bright colors and intricate patterns, unlike their Egyptian counterparts, who used fabrics of white linen. Though there is no written record of the early Celts there is much archeological evidence.There are many sources in Scotland that are used as fiber in the creation of tartans, each lending a different coarseness and texture with some being very exclusive and others much more common. The blackface sheep is one of the hardiest in Scotland and the Cheviot sheep is a Scottish border breed found in the hilly countryside. More exotic fiber sources include Soay sheep, Afghan Hounds, and the Muskox. Weavers have b een known to make use of any fiber source available, constricted only by their own ability and creativity.