I’m sure you have a lot of questions about how to wear a kilt if you have never seen one before. Should the pleats be in the front or back? Should the sporran hang from the front or back, or should it sit on your hip? Should I tuck my sgian dubh into my belt, sporran, or socks? Also, what the hell is a sgian dubh, and how do you say it (called sgain do)? Also, what is a sporran?
The right way to wear a kilt is essential no matter what you’re doing.
You don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t know how to wear a kilt. Do it right the first time. Irrespective of whether you got a kilt for your wedding or to pitch some hay, we want you to look your best, so here are the exact steps you need to follow:
Putting on Underwear is not required
You are ready to go commando if you own the kilt. If you don’t own the kilt (i.e., you rented or borrowed it), you have to wear boxers or briefs. That’s the straight order. If you want to go naked and know what people will ask about what goes under a kilt, feel free to leave a comment below (but please keep it PG-13).
Put your Socks/Hose on
You can wear any socks you want, like ankle socks, socks with pineapple patterns, or even tights if you’re daring. Flashes are usually worn with knee-high socks at formal events.
Put on Flashes that match
To help a kilt outfit look more put together, flashes should be made of the same tartan or a solid color used in the kilt to tone down the plaid. The user folds over the top of the sock to hide the flash band and keep the socks up. They are worn two inches below the top of the sock.
Put your Shoes on
Shoes that go with kilts can be different, just like socks. However, Ghillie Brogues are usually worn with kilts. There are many ways to tie these shoes’ long laces, but the most important thing is that they are tight and the laces don’t touch the floor.
Put on your Shirt (Optional)
You can dress up or down in a kilt, which is great. The shirt is just as dressy as the kilt. A dress shirt and a Prince Charles jacket will make you look like a gentleman. If you want to look more like a rough Highland fighter, you can wear a tight t-shirt or even paint your upper body like William Wallace did.
Now Put on the Kilt
Fold the kilt in half and hold it like a towel after a shower. Hold the single strap in your right hand and the double straps in your left. First, cross your right hand over your chest. Then, put the single strap through the hole on your left hip and tie it in place. Bring your left side across your chest and tie the two straps around your right hip through the loops. Some people like to wear their kilts on their hips instead of around their waist, where their belly button would be.
Put on your Kilt belt
Most kilts have between two and four belt loops around the top. Like any other pair of pants, put the belt through the belt holes and buckle it in the middle of the front.
Put on your sporran, which looks like a small fanny pack
Thread the sporran through the belt loops so that it hangs below the belt, about the width of a hand, in the middle of the front.
Add to your kilt with these items:
A Glengarry Bonnet, a Balmoral Bonnet, a sgain dubh, a formal mace, or maybe a nice plaid. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Check out this page of kilt items! Or, use the “What’s My Tartan” tool to find out what items are available in your family’s tartan.
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