“THEt’s a kilt, not a skirt”: that is, «it’s a kilt, not a skirt». This is what the Scots would warn, as they are strict guardians of the symbolic garment of the Highlands, which, like any custom, demands respect. Because the kilt is not just a garment: it is identity, history, belonging. But also, today more than ever, a living material of style, ready to be rewritten according to trend.
Tradition yes, therefore, but with a license for subversion. Long or mini, with or without straps, waisted or pleated, blanket effect or studded with sequins: the classic tartan skirt takes a gamble and challenges its own codes in Winter 2025/2026.
Kilt, micro story of a great cult loved by stars
In truth it was already doing so in the Nineties, when Vivienne Westwood transformed it into a cultural manifesto. The unforgettable mini kilt worn by Kate Moss at the 1993/1994 Autumn-Winter fashion show: not a simple appearance on the catwalk, but an act of Anglomania purecapable of overturning history with irony and intelligence.
Today it is Burberry to bring the great cult back to the catwalk, maintaining the original basic version but lengthening it, adding strategic buckles or modifying the check. With blanket-style fringes for Institution by Galib Gassanoff, pleated college for Miu Miu: there is no designer who has not revisited the legendary garment this season. And the stars noticed it, of course.
The covered kilt-style skirt from the Institution FW25/26 show by Galib Gassanoff (Spotlight Launchmetrics).
Scottish skirt, the models most loved by stars today
They always like it. And it is precisely thanks to the celebs that today the kilt returns in the winter look. Better rock, like in the nineties, or more bon ton? With stockings or bare legs? According to tradition, it was worn with nothing underneath, but without going that far, for a stellar look all you need is an unexpected detail in the upper part. That’s where the season game is played.
Amanda Seyfried in a kilt-style top and skirt by Ashish (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images).
How to combine the tartan style skirt with elegance in Winter 2025/2026? A see-through top, a coordinated shirt that softens the rigid effect: it doesn’t take much to shift the balance. Word, respectively, of Amanda Seyfried (in Ashish) and Iris Law (in Isabel Marant). This is the decisive move that consecrates the checked skirt as a new contemporary classic: a contrasting turtleneck that breaks up the check design is equally well-chosen.
Jourdan Dunn at the Burberry Spring-Summer 2026 show in a kilt maxi skirt and check patterned micro top (Photo by Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images).
The latest celeb kilt skirt looks perfect for the holidays
In recent months, celebs have confirmed its return also in a party version. The kilt skirt lights up under the holiday lights: Scottish mididepending on the occasion, matches crop-top (Jourdan Dunn in Burberry) or soft fleece (Emma Corrin in Miu Miu) with a similar checked patternbut different. The mix of tartan is certainly the most popular stratagem among the stars when it comes to kilt outfits, and it looks hyper sophisticated under the tree. On the feet, respectively, elegant pumps or men’s moccasins.
Kate Moss in a kilt at the Vivienne Westwood FW1993/1994 fashion show (Photo by Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images).
Also the teaching of Kate Moss in the Nineties it is always valid: tartan becomes evening, loses all folk rigidity and conquers Christmas events and dinners thanks tomatching with high boots and fake fur.
The stars wear kilts and the classic garment follows them closelytoday as yesterday, regular in sign, much less in spirit. On the other hand, not only during the holidays, even rigor can have a twist…