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?

[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

[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.

[ronstew]

Shane says the top of the kilt should be in the vicinity of your navel. and mid-knee is the absolute lowest that you will want to go. I think this kilt must be two or three inches too long, which is surprising since Dad and I are the same height. I'll try again tomorrow.

Need a kilt that fits.

[Shane]

It is quite possible to be the same height but still have different measurements. Some people have shorter torsoes or longer legs. Variety may be the spice of life, but it doesn't help your kilt fit any better.

There are ways to shorten a kilt, but if your Dad wants the kilt back, then it's probably a bad idea. The only answer is to take the plunge and buy yourself a kilt (and then another and another and...)

Shane