Tartan on the world stage: Why the kilt matters at global events

As the world prepares for the FIFA World Cup, conversations often centre on stadiums, teams and competition.

But global sporting events are also about identity.

When nations gather, people do not only carry flags, what they wear shows their identity. For Scotland, tartan has long been part of that visual language. Whether at Highland Games in Crieff or international festivals across Europe, the kilt remains one of the most recognisable symbols of nationality in the world.

As a Spanish-born kiltmaker living and working in Scotland, I love exploring the way our outfits display our identity and how that makes us feel. The World Cup represents more than football. It represents belonging. Pride. Community. Migration. Story. For many members of the Scottish diaspora, events like this are moments when they celebrate their heritage, wearing their kilts proudly.

But there is something else worth considering. In a world increasingly aware of sustainability, the traditional kilt stands quietly as one of the most enduring garments ever designed.

A bespoke kilt:

• Is made from natural wool fibres

• Is constructed to last decades

• Can be altered and repaired

• Is often passed between generations

At a global event that moves quickly and consumes vast resources, there is something powerful about wearing something with excellent sustainability credentials; something made by hand, shaped over 30 hours, constructed with care.

For me, the kilt is also a bridge between cultures. Spain will undoubtedly bring its colour and energy to the tournament. Scotland brings its heritage. And as someone who belongs to both places, I see how clothing can connect rather than divide.