Wearing Irish Sweaters wtih Kilts, Belt or no belt?

[Father Bill]

I think you're doing it right.

The belt shouldn't be worn with a vest, and is otherwise always optional at most. Sweaters go outside the kilt and the belt unless you're trying to be fashionable (normally spelled w-e-i-r-d).

Your choice as described is basically a good one.





Notice how my dog admires my fashion sense.

[Tobus]

I would agree that you're doing it right. A thick sweater, when tucked in, will affect the fit of the kilt and look strange. Wearing it over the kilt, with no belt to print through, is how I've always seen it done. I've never seen anyone tuck it in.

[CollinMacD]

I actually saw one, let say, "gentleman", wearing a V-neck red sweater, over a black Ghillie shirt, tucked into his kilt , with a very large , I would say about 4 inch black belt, large Scottish Lion Belt buckle, with two dirks, one on each side, and a leather belt holder with flask, wearing a red Rob Roy Tartan Kilt, Blue hose with Detroit Wing work boots, and this awful looking gray potato sack for headgear that sported a large Rosette with three large feathers, but to top it off, a very thick brown Baldrick with no sword, just a large chrome buckle, what a sight to behold, it was at the Alexandria Christmas Walk. I have no idea which Clan, but he was walking around as proud as a peacock. Kilt was rather short to boot, and wore two kilt pins one on top of the other, could not make out what they were. Even my wife got a good chuckle out of that one, wish I had a photo, it truly was a sight to behold. Must of been a leftover of the Renaissance Fair last fall, a trying to be a character from a video game.

But, aside from that character, I did see many guys wearing Irish Knit sweaters with belts, or in some case tucked under their kilts, it was chilly, but the Irish knit I had on kept me VERY WARM and it was not tucked in. If I am not wearing an Irish knit, then I like the Military British/American Wooly. I have several and they are extremely warm. I even wear the original US Coast Guard issued sweater that is a medium (looks like Lovet) blue. Works great.

Thank you, nice to know my "fashion" sense seems to be spot on. Just like to check in as I still am learning more and more everyday.

One thing I love about the United States, we do have a sense for the flair of fashion, and some people go way beyond fashion sense, as I really think the live in the video games they play, or the Hollywood Movies they watch. Remarkable fashion statements made as some of these large events. CHEERS.

[EagleJCS]

I actually saw one, let say, "gentleman", wearing a V-neck red sweater, over a black Ghillie shirt, tucked into his kilt , with a very large , I would say about 4 inch black belt, large Scottish Lion Belt buckle, with two dirks, one on each side, and a leather belt holder with flask, wearing a red Rob Roy Tartan Kilt, Blue hose with Detroit Wing work boots, and this awful looking gray potato sack for headgear that sported a large Rosette with three large feathers, but to top it off, a very thick brown Baldrick with no sword, just a large chrome buckle, what a sight to behold, it was at the Alexandria Christmas Walk. I have no idea which Clan, but he was walking around as proud as a peacock.

Wow. Most clan chiefs I've seen (the gentleman described above so denoted by the three - presumably eagle - feathers in his cap) tend to be a bit less flashy at public events when in their Highland attire. Well-dressed and appropriate to the event/weather, but not flashy.


Re your OP:
I have only had a couple of occasions to wear a sweater with a kilt. I wore a black military-style "commando" sweater (with cloth patches at the shoulders and elbows) with the band kilt. Wore the sweater over the kilt, end folded under a bit (the sweater has a long torso), no belt. Tried the sweater under the kilt with a belt over the top before leaving the house and it just didn't feel or look quite right.

[CollinMacD]

I highly doubt he was any Clan Chief, but just a person with feathers in his potato sack flatcap..... I wish I had a photo of this person, to say the least interesting character. I would very much expect a Clan Chief to exercise better wardrobe practices then the "Dragon Slayer" that I saw. Man, I just wish I had a photo of this. CHEERS.

[McMurdo]

I never wear a belt with mine.

[EagleJCS]

Allan, I have no doubt that the man in question was definitely not a clan chief and was simply dressing in a manner he thought to be correct/stylish. I was trying to be a bit tongue-in-cheek. Difficult to do in a written format.

[Riverkilt]

I never wear a belt with a kilt....use the kilt straps or velcro on the casuals and the sporran strap acts as a small belt.

Not an Irish sweater, but a bulky sweater from REI with kilt and no belt tonight for the agency holiday party...



For sweaters like this I have to roll the sweater hem where it passes over my sporran.

[figheadair]

Leaving aside the military, why would you ever think wearing a belt over a pullover necessary, or indeed that it looked good?

[Garth]

Unless you're in the military and have to wear 'arms'' don't wear a belt at all. My personal opinion. The kilt is too fine to be hidden under a buckle and leather. Unless you're on a military parade ground, no need. Again my personal opinion.