How to Wear a Kilt

Wearing a kilt requires the right accessories and the right attitude.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Silver Or Gold Kilt Pins
• Sporran
• Tartan Kilts
• pair red, blue or green flashes
• Pair Kilt Hose
• Waistcoat
• Pair Ghillie Brogues

1. Understand the difference between a "great kilt," which is not sewn but draped, and a Scottish (or English kilt), which wraps on with sewn pleats. Here, we work with the sewn or "small kilt."

2. Close the kilt by taking the right apron through the hole of the left buckle and fastening it to the left buckle.

3. Fasten the left apron to the right; the fringed edge and kilt pin should be to the right.

4. Make sure that your kilt falls to the center of the knee, sitting exactly on the natural waist.

5. Make sure pleats are at the back of the kilt.

6. Strap on the sporran about three fingers below your waistcoat or belt. The strap fastens in the back.

7. Wear kilt hose folded two to three fingers below kneecap.

8. Place flashes on the outside of the leg, covering the strap with the fold of the sock top.

9. Lace the ghillie brogues this way: cross laces and pull into simple knot. Twist three times and pull tight again to create a thong. Pass laces around ankle back, bring to front and tie a bow, letting laces and toggles hang in front.

Tips & Warnings

• A plain white shirt looks best with a kilt, unless you wear the traditional waistcoat.

• Choose a tartan, or research your clan's tartan if you're Celtic.

• Even in Scotland, kilts are usually reserved for weddings, funerals and special events.

• Unless you're brave or a nut for so-called authenticity, wear underwear under there. Research shows that even some real Scottish men wore something like boxer shorts.

• Kilt pins were not worn until the 17th century, but are useful to keep your modesty during high winds.