Vivienne Westwood - Kilt Named Favourite Traditional Item

The kilt has been voted as the world's favourite traditional item of clothing.

The Scottish garment topped a poll of international traditional clothing by travel website www.sunshine.co.uk which saw 67 per cent of respondents describe it as "very attractive" on a man.

Scottish Fashion Week organiser Tessa Hartmann claimed the kilt was so popular because it was a "statement" piece which designers loved to work with.

She told the Scotsman newspaper: "The kilt is one of the most iconic fashion outfits in the world. It dates back to the 16th century and has been constantly updated.

"Designers continue to do different things with it; people like Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and the late Alexander McQueen have had great fun with the kilt. If you can pull off wearing a kilt, you can excel. It's much more of a statement than a black tie."

Edinburgh kilt maker Howie Nicholsby - who last month designed the traditional outfit for Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy's wedding - claimed he was increasingly selling kilts to men from around the world.

He said: "Danes, Swedes, French, Austrians - men are realising that you don't have to be Scottish to wear a kilt and feel sexy."

He added: "In Scotland we know we've got great national dress that looks fabulous when it's worn well, either in the traditional Prince Charlie style, or in more modern versions. I've had a great year and my parents' store, which focuses on the more traditional kilts, has also had a great year."

The survey of 2,034 people placed the Japanese kimono in second place and the Hawaiian grass skirt in third.

The German lederhosen was considered "very unfashionable" by 87 per cent of people in the poll.