How To Wear A Kilt Outfit

[Dominic MacGregor]

Ever struggle to dress yourself in your kilt outfit? Check out our handy guide below!

Step 1: Shirt
Put your dress shirt on, and button it up to the very top.

Step 2: Kilt Hose & Flashes
Pull your kilt hose up to cover your knees, and attach the flashes just below your kneecap, material facing outwards, just tight enough to ensure they will hold the hose in place. Then, roll the tops of the hose down to cover the garters of the flashes, the tops of the socks should now sit just two finger widths from the bottom of your kneecap.

Step 3: Ghillie Brogues
Put your shoes on and draw the laces away from you to tighten. Twist the laces together six times, then wrap them around the back of your leg, and around to the front again. Continue to wrap the laces around your leg once more. After the second loop, tie the laces in a knot on the inside or outside of the leg (whichever you prefer).

Step 4: Sgian Dubh
Place the sgian dubh in the top of the left or right sock, whichever is your dominant hand. Roughly two inches of the handle of the sgian dubh should be visible.

Step 5: Tie
Your tie, whether it is a cravat or a straight tie, should be pulled in line with the first button of your shirt, leaving little to no gap. Pre-tied cravats with fasteners should be positioned so that the clasp stays under the wing collar of the shirt.

Step 6: Kilt
The kilt should be wrapped around you level to your navel, roughly 2 inches higher than your regular waist line. Bring the right hand apron around you and pull the leather strap through the buckle on your left hip and pull it tight. Repeat this process for the left hand apron. Once the kilt is on, make sure that it is centred; this means that the fringe of the front apron and the edge of the first pleat are visible and aligned evenly. Your kilt length should sit almost in the centre of you kneecap.

Step 7: Kilt Pin
Affix the kilt pin to the bottom right hand corner of your kilt. Follow the lines in the tartan to ensure it is straight. The pin should only pierce the first layer of the fabric.

Step 8: Sporran
Attach the chain straps to the sporran and feed them through the belt loops of the kilt. Make sure the sporran sits roughly five inches from the top of your kilt, and is centred. Fasten the chain straps at the back of the kilt when you are satisfied with the look.

Step 9: Jacket & Waistcoat
Put on your waistcoat and use the slider on the back to adjust the tightness slightly (whatever is comfortable). Finally, put on the jacket and leave the front buttons, if there are any, undone.



This should hopefully give you an idea of how to put on your outfit. If you have any questions, just ask. We also have some helpful videos on our website. http://bit.ly/1PE9RTh

[Tarheel]

Thanks Dom. It seems logical that one would systematically dress to eliminate the wrinkles and creases as one dons the attire. I find small adjustments in wardrobe easier throughout the day when I follow this recipe.

[The Q]

This appears to be as per my order of dress, and will be of great use to many.
However I disagree with the wording of the position for the kilt pin, I have never seen a kilt pin in the bottom corner but normally an inch or two in and 3 or four up.

A another point in the kilt paragraph is to add after adjusting and centering "with pleats at the back"' evidence from this forum show some get it wrong!

Personally I use a magnetic kilt "pin" to save damage
I also now wear a pocket watch and Albert.

[Stitchwiz]

Ever struggle to dress yourself in your kilt outfit? Check out our handy guide below!
This should hopefully give you an idea of how to put on your outfit. If you have any questions, just ask. We also have some helpful videos on our website. http://bit.ly/1PE9RTh

Dominic,
I made my own version of this a few months ago, but yours is much better, so I have tweaked it with The Q suggestions included. I suggest that we start at the bottom and work our way up - that way your shirt isn't getting all wrinkled while you are bent over dealing with hose, shoes, etc. And you aren't testing your deodorant and getting all hot around the collar with the blood running to your head before you are started dressing. Also the wraps of the lace of the ghillie brogues need to be level with the lace on the opposite leg.

You have done a great job!
This needs to be given to everyone who buys a kilt or hires a kilt outfit. This way they are starting out with the correct information - after that, they can't plead ignorance. If they choose to wear it differently than the norm, then that is their own decision about how they are wearing the kilt.


Step 1: Kilt Hose & Flashes
Pull your kilt hose up to cover your knees, and attach the flashes just below your kneecap, material facing outwards, just tight enough to ensure they will hold the hose in place. Then, roll the tops of the hose down to cover the garters of the flashes, the tops of the socks should now sit just two finger widths from the bottom of your kneecap.

Step 2: Ghillie Brogues
Put your shoes on and draw the laces away from you to tighten. Twist the laces together six times, then wrap them around the back of your leg, and around to the front again. Continue to wrap the laces around your leg once more. After the second loop, tie the laces in a knot on the inside or outside of the leg (whichever you prefer). Keep the the wraps of the lace level with the lace on the opposite leg. A mirror helps.

Step 3: Sgian Dubh
Place the sgian dubh in the top of the left or right sock, whichever is your dominant hand. Roughly two inches of the handle of the sgian dubh should be visible.

Step 4: Shirt
Put your dress shirt on, and button it up to the very top.

Step 5: Tie
Your tie, whether it is a cravat or a straight tie, should be pulled in line with the first button of your shirt, leaving little to no gap. Pre-tied cravats with fasteners should be positioned so that the clasp stays under the wing collar of the shirt.

Step 6: Kilt
The kilt should be wrapped around you level to your navel, roughly 2 inches higher than your regular waist line. Bring the right hand apron around you and pull the leather strap through the buckle on your left hip and pull it tight. Repeat this process for the left hand apron. Once the kilt is on, make sure that it is centred with pleats at the back; this means that the fringe of the front apron and the edge of the first pleat are visible and aligned evenly. Your kilt length should sit almost in the centre of you kneecap.

Step 7: Kilt Pin
Affix the kilt pin to the bottom right hand corner of your kilt approximately 2½ - 3" from the corner. Follow the lines in the tartan to ensure it is straight. The pin should only pierce the first layer of the fabric.

Step 8: Sporran
Attach the chain straps to the sporran and feed them through the belt loops of the kilt. Make sure the sporran sits roughly five inches from the top of your kilt, and is centred. Fasten the chain straps at the back of the kilt when you are satisfied with the look.

Step 9: Jacket & Waistcoat
Put on your waistcoat and use the slider on the back to adjust the tightness slightly (whatever is comfortable). Put on the jacket and leave the front buttons, if there are any, undone.

Step 10: Mirror
Finally, check yourself in the mirror, head to toe, and head out with a smile.

[The Wizard of BC]

Under step 6 I would make one comment.

Traditional kilts (Those that have the reverse flare above the straps and buckles) must be worn at the natural waist. This is called full rise.
The natural waist is right under the ribs. The flare above the straps and buckles is there so that the waistbanding of the kilt fits up, over the short ribs.

To find your natural waist put you thumb at your side right under your ribs. Now bend inwards toward your thumb. You should feel your thumb go into a depression.
This is your natural waist. This is where the top strap of your kilt should cinch into.

The natural waist is higher than the naval. It is up at kidney level.

If, however, your kilt is one where the smallest part of the kilt is the waistbanding and not the top straps then the waistbanding will cinch into the natural waist.

If you are renting a kilt you do not have control over the length of the kilt and rental kilts should be fit so that the hem is at the top or perhaps at the middle of the kneecap.

Most rental kilts are 24 inches in length. This means that it is quite common for the height of the waist to need to vary to get the hem at the top of the kneecap.

Cinching the wait up at the natural waist is the single most common mistake of kilt wearers. Most guys today have never worn anything at their natural waist.
And yet all men's trousers were once fit at the natural waist.
Wearing a kilt at the natural waist is very slimming. The aprons hang straight down in the front and any stomach or beer gut will go away.

Wearing a kilt made to fit at full rise is also very comfortable. The kilt will not slide down causing the hem to go below the knee.

This works equally well for any body shape.


And finally the Ascot or Ruche Tie is a fairly modern concept. One that appears to be a product of the large internet rental companies. The Ruche tie does not appear in "So You Want To Wear The Kilt" which has been the standard of dressing formally for many years.
Wearing a Ruche tie is one of those dead give-aways that you do not own your own kilt and rented your outfit. The Ruche tie, Stark White Hose and Ghillie Brogue shoes and a fuzzy sporran finish off the "Cookie Cutter" look of the rental outfit.

[Dominic MacGregor]

This appears to be as per my order of dress, and will be of great use to many.
However I disagree with the wording of the position for the kilt pin, I have never seen a kilt pin in the bottom corner but normally an inch or two in and 3 or four up.

A another point in the kilt paragraph is to add after adjusting and centering "with pleats at the back"' evidence from this forum show some get it wrong!

Personally I use a magnetic kilt "pin" to save damage
I also now wear a pocket watch and Albert.

Thanks for the feedback! I agree with you about the kilt pin. Clearly we haven't worded it in the best way and will look to change this so there is no confusion in the future. We usually advise our customers to wear a kilt pin roughly an inch in and an inch up. I have never heard of a magnetic kilt pin before! I will be looking into this as it sounds like a great idea to protect the kilt!

Also a great point about making sure we state pleats at the back. First time kilt wearers can often get this wrong!

Dominic

[Dominic MacGregor]

Dominic,
I made my own version of this a few months ago, but yours is much better, so I have tweaked it with The Q suggestions included. I suggest that we start at the bottom and work our way up - that way your shirt isn't getting all wrinkled while you are bent over dealing with hose, shoes, etc. And you aren't testing your deodorant and getting all hot around the collar with the blood running to your head before you are started dressing. Also the wraps of the lace of the ghillie brogues need to be level with the lace on the opposite leg.

You have done a great job!
This needs to be given to everyone who buys a kilt or hires a kilt outfit. This way they are starting out with the correct information - after that, they can't plead ignorance. If they choose to wear it differently than the norm, then that is their own decision about how they are wearing the kilt.


Step 1: Kilt Hose & Flashes
Pull your kilt hose up to cover your knees, and attach the flashes just below your kneecap, material facing outwards, just tight enough to ensure they will hold the hose in place. Then, roll the tops of the hose down to cover the garters of the flashes, the tops of the socks should now sit just two finger widths from the bottom of your kneecap.

Step 2: Ghillie Brogues
Put your shoes on and draw the laces away from you to tighten. Twist the laces together six times, then wrap them around the back of your leg, and around to the front again. Continue to wrap the laces around your leg once more. After the second loop, tie the laces in a knot on the inside or outside of the leg (whichever you prefer). Keep the the wraps of the lace level with the lace on the opposite leg. A mirror helps.

Step 3: Sgian Dubh
Place the sgian dubh in the top of the left or right sock, whichever is your dominant hand. Roughly two inches of the handle of the sgian dubh should be visible.

Step 4: Shirt
Put your dress shirt on, and button it up to the very top.

Step 5: Tie
Your tie, whether it is a cravat or a straight tie, should be pulled in line with the first button of your shirt, leaving little to no gap. Pre-tied cravats with fasteners should be positioned so that the clasp stays under the wing collar of the shirt.

Step 6: Kilt
The kilt should be wrapped around you level to your navel, roughly 2 inches higher than your regular waist line. Bring the right hand apron around you and pull the leather strap through the buckle on your left hip and pull it tight. Repeat this process for the left hand apron. Once the kilt is on, make sure that it is centred with pleats at the back; this means that the fringe of the front apron and the edge of the first pleat are visible and aligned evenly. Your kilt length should sit almost in the centre of you kneecap.

Step 7: Kilt Pin
Affix the kilt pin to the bottom right hand corner of your kilt approximately 2½ - 3" from the corner. Follow the lines in the tartan to ensure it is straight. The pin should only pierce the first layer of the fabric.

Step 8: Sporran
Attach the chain straps to the sporran and feed them through the belt loops of the kilt. Make sure the sporran sits roughly five inches from the top of your kilt, and is centred. Fasten the chain straps at the back of the kilt when you are satisfied with the look.

Step 9: Jacket & Waistcoat
Put on your waistcoat and use the slider on the back to adjust the tightness slightly (whatever is comfortable). Put on the jacket and leave the front buttons, if there are any, undone.

Step 10: Mirror
Finally, check yourself in the mirror, head to toe, and head out with a smile.

This is a great guide! I especially love the last step. Always important to head out with a smile!

[Dominic MacGregor]

Under step 6 I would make one comment.

Traditional kilts (Those that have the reverse flare above the straps and buckles) must be worn at the natural waist. This is called full rise.
The natural waist is right under the ribs. The flare above the straps and buckles is there so that the waistbanding of the kilt fits up, over the short ribs.

To find your natural waist put you thumb at your side right under your ribs. Now bend inwards toward your thumb. You should feel your thumb go into a depression.
This is your natural waist. This is where the top strap of your kilt should cinch into.

The natural waist is higher than the naval. It is up at kidney level.

If, however, your kilt is one where the smallest part of the kilt is the waistbanding and not the top straps then the waistbanding will cinch into the natural waist.

If you are renting a kilt you do not have control over the length of the kilt and rental kilts should be fit so that the hem is at the top or perhaps at the middle of the kneecap.

Most rental kilts are 24 inches in length. This means that it is quite common for the height of the waist to need to vary to get the hem at the top of the kneecap.

Cinching the wait up at the natural waist is the single most common mistake of kilt wearers. Most guys today have never worn anything at their natural waist.
And yet all men's trousers were once fit at the natural waist.
Wearing a kilt at the natural waist is very slimming. The aprons hang straight down in the front and any stomach or beer gut will go away.

Wearing a kilt made to fit at full rise is also very comfortable. The kilt will not slide down causing the hem to go below the knee.

This works equally well for any body shape.


And finally the Ascot or Ruche Tie is a fairly modern concept. One that appears to be a product of the large internet rental companies. The Ruche tie does not appear in "So You Want To Wear The Kilt" which has been the standard of dressing formally for many years.
Wearing a Ruche tie is one of those dead give-aways that you do not own your own kilt and rented your outfit. The Ruche tie, Stark White Hose and Ghillie Brogue shoes and a fuzzy sporran finish off the "Cookie Cutter" look of the rental outfit.

Our hire kilts come in varying length. We think it is important that we are able to provide all our customers, no matter their height, with the correct length of kilt so they look their best when wearing an outfit.

We have found, in recent years, that the ruche tie has become a popular accessory for those hiring and also buying. Our most popular jackets tend to be our modern, exclusive styles and therefore people feel the ruche tie suits better. The traditional bow tie tends to only be worn with the Prince Charlie and Argyll jackets that we have to hire/sell.

[Arboribabe]

Not only do you fine kilted gents look ever so dapper in your properly worn attire, but I would suspect that many ladies have found that the process of a donning such attire by our beloved "peacocks" means the the words "Hurry up and finish getting dressed, honey, or we'll be late!" are rarely spoken any more -- at least in our direction. Indeed, I now have ample time to do hair, makeup, dress, accessorize and select just the right shoes with time to spare... then smile with raised eyebrow at my dear husband who is still pondering the merits of one sporran over another.

[Dominic MacGregor]

Not only do you fine kilted gents look ever so dapper in your properly worn attire, but I would suspect that many ladies have found that the process of a donning such attire by our beloved "peacocks" means the the words "Hurry up and finish getting dressed, honey, or we'll be late!" are rarely spoken any more -- at least in our direction. Indeed, I now have ample time to do hair, makeup, dress, accessorize and select just the right shoes with time to spare... then smile with raised eyebrow at my dear husband who is still pondering the merits of one sporran over another.

I bet there's lots of men who take a long time to choose the accessories to go with their kilts!