How To Wear A Kilt

The kilt outfit has quite a few different pieces to it. The shirt and socks should go on first then the flashes, sgian dubh and brogues. Next the kilt with pin attached, tie and waistcoat, followed by the sporran and finally the jacket.

Kilt – The kilt should be worn around the navel or up to an inch above the navel depending on your preference. The pleats of the kilt at the back and aprons at the front. The kilt should hang down towards the middle of the knee.

Jacket & Waistcoat – A variety of styles available. Generally the jacket should be left open to show the buttons on the waistcoat.

Shirt & Tie – Traditional kilt shirts come with a winged collar and can be worn with a bow tie or cravat tie. Normal shirts are a good alternative when a straight tie is being worn.

Belt & Buckle – Only required when a waistcoat is not being worn, for example, with an Argyll Jacket when wearing a bow tie or straight tie.

Sporran – Worn around the waist just below the waistcoat (or belt buckle depending on the outfit) with two loops at the back of the kilt to put the chain strap through. Dress sporrans are more formal and semi-dress sporrans more casual.

Kilt Pin – A decorative item which should not be used to pin the kilt aprons together. Place the kilt pin through the stop apron. Positioning of the pin can vary but roughly an inch above the bottom of the kilt and an inch in from the side.

Kilt Hose (Socks) – These are long socks which should be worn just below the bottom of the knee (approx 2 inches). The socks should be folded down at the top, this will hide the garter for the flashes and also show the decoration on the sock.

Kilt Flashes – Available in tartan to match the kilt or solid colours. The flashes should be worn on the outside of the calves and the garter should be hidden under the fold of the sock.

Sgian Dubh – Worn tucked into the sock with only about an inch of the sgian dubh being shown.

Ghillie Brogues – These kilt shoes have long laces and no tongue. There are many different ways to tie the laces, for example, hold the laces together and twist 5-6 times then wrap the laces round the back of the leg and back round the front. Tie a knot and leave the tassels dangling at the front.