First time in a kilt - Questions

[ronstew]

On his way out of town, my father dropped his Highland garb at my house. He didn't have time to help me put it on, so I had to muddle through this evening:



I have many questions, but can only remember a few of them now.

1. What is supposed to hold up the kilt? My belly?

2. The bottom edge of the kilt is supposed to be mid knee?

3. I gather you don't wear the belt with the Prince Charlie?

4. Where does the belt go? Does it help hold up the kilt or just sit there decorativenly?

5. Is that grey jacket what we call an Argyl?

6. What sort of tie should go with the grey jacket?

7. Where and how do I wear the sgian dubh?

8. Is there anything obviously wrong with these pictures?

I think Dad's kilt is a few inches too big. Even with the straps as tight as they go, the kilt dropped four inches if I laughed. And the PC sleeves are too long. But mannnnnn, does the rig look good.

[Shay]

Want some opinions from one of the gals?


1. What is supposed to hold up the kilt? My belly?
Dunno, not a guy... let's move on...

2. The bottom edge of the kilt is supposed to be mid knee?
Thereabouts- right above is what I generally see.

3. I gather you don't wear the belt with the Prince Charlie?
Not really... I believe if the jacket covers the belt, you don't need one.

4. Where does the belt go? Does it help hold up the kilt or just sit there decorativenly?
Giggling at a new word. It can help hold up the kilt- a properly fitting kilt probably doesn't need it but it's not terrible to wear if you do.

5. Is that grey jacket what we call an Argyle?
(Lost on this one)

6. What sort of tie should go with the grey jacket?
Something subdued- not a tartan, but a complementary color.

7. Where and how do I wear the sgian dubh?
In your sock, on your dominant side, tucked in with the top of the handle and/or hilt sticking out, I believe.

8. What sort of tie would be appropriate with the grey jacket?
Erm- the bow tie looks good, the 'regular' tie looks a little casual with the whole thing.

8. Is there anything obviously wrong with these pictures?
Pull your socks up a little, they look a little low, and you might want to look into flashes. Other than that, they look good!

Edit- just saw the flashes, my bad!

[Shane]

1. What is supposed to hold up the kilt? My belly?

If the kilt fits right, it should sit around waist height. The top of the kilt should be in the vicinity of your navel. If it doesn't sit there naturally, then the kilt is probably the wrong size.

2. The bottom edge of the kilt is supposed to be mid knee?

Mid-knee is the absolute lowest that you will want to go. Top of the knee is more common and even an inch or so above is alright.

3. I gather you don't wear the belt with the Prince Charlie?

Not usually, but this is really a matter of taste.

4. Where does the belt go? Does it help hold up the kilt or just sit there decorativenly?

Once again, if the kilt fits, then the belt is just a decoration. If the kilt doesn't fit then the belt can be tightened up to hold the kilt up.

5. Is that grey jacket what we call an Argyl?

Yes. You can tell by the cuffs. A jacket that looks exactly the same but has the same cuffs as a Prince Charlie is usually called a Braemer and if the cuffs are plain it is a Crail.

6. What sort of tie should go with the grey jacket?

Plain, match the kilt.

7. Where and how do I wear the sgian dubh?

See what Shay said.

8. What sort of tie would be appropriate with the grey jacket?

Hmm... same as question 6.

8. Is there anything obviously wrong with these pictures?

I don't think so. As for the height of the hose, I think that's a matter of taste as well. The regulation in the highland regiments is four fingers below the knee. That's usually what I go by.

It does sound like your kilt is too big. That can be fixed pretty easily by moving the straps.


Hope this helps,

Shane

[Shane]

On second look, I think your necktie could be tied a little shorter. Remember that the kilt sits higher than trousers so you'll have to adjust the tie to just brush the top of the kilt.

All in all though the outfit looks great. Well done for a first time. Remember that a slob in a kilt still looks sharper than anyone else in trousers.

Shane

[Graham]

You seem to have it all pretty good as far as I can see.

The only comment I would make is about the tie, a plain one is better as shane said.
If the kilt is a wee bit big, the belt would help. I usually wear the kilt with the top about navel level.

Most importantly, how do you feel in a kilt? Good eh?

[ronstew]

Most importantly, how do you feel in a kilt? Good eh?

I feel like I need a kilt that fits.

Oh, yeah, I knew that my motorcycle tie was all wrong , but it was at hand for the photo.

[Shay]

7. Where and how do I wear the sgian dubh?

See what Sherry said.

She did?

[Shane]

D'oh.

Sorry, it's late here.

I fixed it.

Shane

[Hamish]

Ron,

I think you have pretty much had your questions answered by our kilted brethren (and female admirer!) but there is an increasingly noticeable, but as yet only slight, difference in what is 'right' in the USA and what is 'right' in Scotland (and other traditional kilt-wearing countries). Anyway, here is my sixpennyworth:

1. What is supposed to hold up the kilt? My belly?

Ideally not the belly! A traditional kilt with the 2" or so 'rise' above the waist, should be tightened with the straps so as to fit well enough without the use of a belt. However, most of us wear a belt because it looks better when we do. There is an exception to this (see your question No.3).

2. The bottom edge of the kilt is supposed to be mid knee?

Certainly no lower than this. Hiding the knees makes the kilt look 'skirty'. Ideally, the kilt should reach the top of your kneecap. If, however, you are wearing it casually, say for walking or hiking, then it is perfectly in order to wear it an inch or two higher so that it does not rub against the back of your knees as you walk or climb.

3. I gather you don't wear the belt with the Prince Charlie?

Correct! A belt should never be worn when you are wearing a waistcoat. Odd glimpses of part of a belt (which is what happens) are distracting, untidy and make you look not only overdressed, but that you have no idea what you are doing!!

4. Where does the belt go? Does it help hold up the kilt or just sit there decorativenly?

Through the belt loops at the back, of you have them. These are belt loops not sporran loops. Otherwise, I wear my kilt belts at the waist, where I would were I sad enough to be wearing trousers.

5. Is that grey jacket what we call an Argyl?

The spelling is 'Argyll', but yes, as far as I can see, with those cuffs, your jacket is an Argyll. A very versatile jacket that can be worn semi-formally or semi-casually.

6. What sort of tie should go with the grey jacket?

A plain, woollen tie in a colour to match one of those in the tartan of your kilt.

7. Where and how do I wear the sgian dubh?

Tucked into the top of your hose. On your right leg if you are right-handed and on the left if your left-handed. Do not worry about how much of the Sgian Dubh is showing - you are not wearing a uniform after all, where everone should be dressed identically! I wear mine with roughly 1½" to 2" showing, but I never measure it!!

8. Is there anything obviously wrong with these pictures?

Apart from the (forgive me) ghastly tie with the Argyll jacket, and the slightly over-long sleeves of both jackets no, not really. I am assuming you have just the one sporran and belt? Because of the silver cantle (top), my feeling is that the sporran is a Dress Sporran (perfect with the Prince Charlie, but a little out of place with the tweed Argyll). The Argyll would look much better with an all-leather day sporran (without a chain!!) and a plain, pronged buckle, belt. The belt you have is also a Dress belt.

I hope I have not been too severe with my comments, but you did ask! On the whole, you look very good indeed and not only does the kilt suit you, but you suit it. You do not tell us if you get to keep these great outfits, but I hope you do and, if so, it would be worthwhile having the sleeves adjusted slightly so that a little shirt cuff shows.

[sorcererdale]

My wife likes my kilt to cover my knees as she said I have bad and knobby looking knees. My two kilts (utilikilts) hang just below my knees. I think part of that could be solved when I buy a 2 1/2 inch wide belt. Right now the kilts hang lower because of the narrow belt I only have for use now.

But I do get compliments on my calves from women who many say I have nice legs, wither with the socks or no socks!

DALE.

Ron,

I think you have pretty much had your questions answered by our kilted brethren (and female admirer!) but there is an increasingly noticeable, but as yet only slight, difference in what is 'right' in the USA and what is 'right' in Scotland (and other traditional kilt-wearing countries). Anyway, here is my sixpennyworth:

<<SNIP>>

2. The bottom edge of the kilt is supposed to be mid knee?

Certainly no lower than this. Hiding the knees makes the kilt look 'skirty'. Ideally, the kilt should reach the top of your kneecap. If, however, you are wearing it casually, say for walking or hiking, then it is perfectly in order to wear it an inch or two higher so that it does not rub against the back of your knees as you walk or climb.

<<BIG SNIP>>


I hope I have not been too severe with my comments, but you did ask! On the whole, you look very good indeed and not only does the kilt suit you, but you suit it. You do not tell us if you get to keep these great outfits, but I hope you do and, if so, it would be worthwhile having the sleeves adjusted slightly so that a little shirt cuff shows.