How to Wear a Kilt for Hiking

While many people regard kilts as formal attire reserved for ceremonial or other important occasions, the tradition of hiking and mountain climbing in a kilt has a long lineage. While summer, or "hiking," kilts are very similar to the traditional great kilt, the pleats are typically sewn rather than draped, and the fabric is usually made of a much lighter wool weave. Some modern brands, such as Sportkilt and Utilikilt, have even begun to utilize Velcro waistbands for convenience. Regardless of the kilt you plan to use, the most important step is ensuring that all the materials are tight and secure to prevent any loose or dangling pleats.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Undergarments
• Tartan kilt apron and pleats
• Pair of kilt hose
• Kilt pins

Instructions

1. Place the mirror so that you can clearly see your lower torso, hips and legs in the reflection. Place the kilt materials and accessories nearby, where you can reach them.

2. Don any underwear or other undergarments that you wish to wear beneath your kilt. Don the kilt hose and pull up until you reach two fingers' width below your kneecaps and fold the rest of the fabric. Lift the kilt and position the aprons just below your hipbones. Cross the back right portion of the fabric in front of you, inserting the right apron through the hole found in the left buckle and fastening it.

3. Attach the left apron to the right using the buckle while ensuring that the "fringe" portion remains to the right as you cross the fabric corners one over the other in front of you. Insert the kilt pin into the two holes aligned to your right and test the fabric for sturdiness.

4. Test the proper placement on the hips by ensuring that the kilt falls directly to the center of the knee with the pleats securely aligned in the back of the kilt. Insert a belt through the corresponding loops at your waist if desired.

5. Add the sporran three fingers' width below the belt by fastening the ends of the strap around the back. Ensure that all buckles, pins and straps are firmly secured.

Tips & Warnings

• Although kilt pins were not adapted to the traditional kilt attire until the 17th century and can sometimes be cumbersome on steep climbs, they are useful for keeping the wind from blowing your kilt aprons open. Unless hiking in colder areas, a plain white shirt works well with most kilts.

References

• SportKilt: Hiking Kilt
• Utilikilt: Kilt Sizing

Resources

• YouTube: How to Wear a Kilt