How To Wear A Kilt: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Wear a Kilt PDF download Download Article Explore this Article parts 1 The Kilt 2 The Kilt The Extras Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Joanne Gruber

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Joanne Gruber. Joanne Gruber is a Professional Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. She has worked in the fashion and style industries for over 10 years, specializing in educating people on the art of re-purposing existing clothing to freshen up a wardrobe. Joanne opened The Closet Stylist in 2007, a personal style service combining wardrobe editing with organization. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 327,350 times.

A kilt is a knee-length pleated garment typically worn by men. Originating in the Highlands area of northern Scotland, kilts resemble wrap-around skirts with overlapping aprons in the front and pleats in the back. To wear a kilt, wrap the kilt around your body so the pleats are at your back. Then, fasten the buckles and adjust the garment so it rests at your waist and hangs down to your knees. Keep reading to learn how to put on a kilt correctly and wear other traditional accessories, like hosiery, to achieve a Highlands look.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

The Kilt

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  1. Step 1 Wrap the kilt around your body with the pleats to the back. 1 Wrap the kilt around your body with the pleats to the back. The top of the garment should be situated at the natural waist; the two aprons will overlap in the front. It should hang around your knee.[1]
    • Take your right arm and wrap it around your front. The edge of the right should meet up with the left, where there is a small hole in the lining for a strap to go through.
  2. Step 2 Fasten the kilt by buckling the aprons. 2 Fasten the kilt by buckling the aprons. Most Kilts[1] have a leather strap on the right apron, which is often called the under the apron. Pull the strap through to the outside until it's comfortable. You should be just able to get your thumbs inside the waistband.[2]
    • Fasten it to the buckle, just like a belt, at the outer edge of the left waist.
    • With your left hand on your right hip, fasten the leather strap on the left apron, or front apron, to the buckles on the right; usually, there will be two. Do the top strap first.
      • If your kilt features a third strap further down the right hip, fasten it to create a smooth fit across the stomach. Make sure it's not bunching toward the top or along the buckles.
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  3. Step 3 Adjust the kilt. 3 Adjust the kilt. If you have buckled the kilt correctly, the fringed edge of the kilt should be along the right side and the kilt should be centered on the body. Most kilts feature a pivot point in the tartan in the center of the front apron. This is the place where the tartan pattern mirrors itself. This pivot point should be in the center of your body.
    • It should have a good A shape to it. Adjust as necessary, making sure that you're comfortable and everything is laying correctly.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

The Kilt The Extras

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  1. Step 1 Put on the kilt hose, garters (an elastic band) and flashes (colored ribbons). 1 Put on the kilt hose, garters (an elastic band) and flashes (colored ribbons). Generally, keep the flashes with the kilt they match. Pull the kilt hose, which resemble knee socks, over the knee before you deal with the other two pieces.[3]
    • Fasten the garter and flashes just below the knee. The flashes should be off to the outside of the leg.
    • Fold the kilt hose to below the knee about 3-4 fingers down and over the garter, displaying a few inches of the flashes. Smooth it all out and adjust as necessary, making sure both sets of flashes are displayed at the same angle. eg: Left Hand at 11 am, Right Hand at 1 pm.
  2. Step 2 Put on your brogues. 2 Put on your brogues. Don't tie them halfway up your legs! There are two ways to tie them; choose the one that appeals most to you.[4]
    • The High-Front Tie: Start by making sure your laces are the same length. Tie half a knot, keep some tension on the laces, wrap them around the back of your ankle, twist once or twice and then again around the front,(sometimes around the back twice, depends on laces length)making an X.The when back at the front again, tie it off to the side of the shin bone with a Half Hitch Bow is best.
    • The Low Tie: Follow the steps described in the High-Front tie method, but scrunch everything down so that it remains around your ankle instead of up your calf. With this method, tie in a bow or a half hitch bow.
  3. Step 3 Attach the sporran. 3 Attach the sporran. A sporran is a leather or fur pouch that is traditionally worn at the front of a kilt. Fasten the sporran strap using the loops at the back of your kilt. The sporran should be centered and hang about 1 hands width below the bottom of the Waist Belt.[5]
    • Otherwise, place the sporran at the back of your body and fasten the buckle in front of you. Swing it around so the sporran is now resting on your abdomen.
  4. Step 4 Attach your favorite kilt pin. 4 Attach your favorite kilt pin. They're available in a huge variety of styles and range from the classic to the contemporary. Pin your kilt pin through the front apron only. Pin it 4" (10 cm) up from the bottom hem and 2" (5 cm) in from the side.[6]
    • In addition to being decorative, the kilt pin's weight helps keep the kilt from flapping, preserving your modesty when a breeze whooshes by.
  5. Step 5 Put on your jacket and vest. 5 Put on your jacket and vest. This part is fairly self-explanatory. The only thing to remember is that in the back of the vest there's a little strap that can be adjusted to your size. Use it; you'll look better if the vest fits you right.[7]
    • For less formal occasions, the waistcoat is unnecessary. Use your judgment.
  6. Step 6 Don't forget your sgian dubh! 6 Don't forget your sgian dubh! That's your knife (a traditional part of Highlands attire) -- arguably the most exciting part. This little dagger goes in your right sock if you're right handed, left sock if left handed. If you have a kilt pin, it's a good idea to have it match.
    • Push it down into your sock, just enough to have about 1 inch of the handle showing.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How is the blanket worn? Community Answer Community Answer If you mean the "fly plaid," the corner of the square is pinned to the upper left shoulder, and the rest is draped over the shoulder and allowed to just hang down the back. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 12
  • Question What is the polite gentlemanly length for the kilt? Community Answer Community Answer An appropriate length is just above or just below the knee - not too far up or down, as the kilt is not a dress or a skirt. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 27
  • Question How high above my navel should I wear a kilt? Community Answer Community Answer How high or low on or above your hips is up to you, as long as the bottom hem is just above or just below the knee. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 23
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Video

Tips

  • A variety of shirts may be worn with a kilt, but the traditional style is a white collared button-down shirt with cuffs. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 15
  • Make sure your kilt is buckled snugly to keep the garment in position, but not so snugly that the kilt forms wrinkles along the waistline. Thanks Helpful 27 Not Helpful 17
  • The hem of the kilt should fall at the middle of your knee. Get down on your knees and the edge of the kilt should be about 1 inch to a half inch off the ground. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings

  • Because the sgian dubh is considered a weapon, you may not want to include this as part of your attire at public eve1nts for security reasons. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ailXV_2j6bw
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxI3UDWflH8
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcv72NRFt6g
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gNoRZhh82I
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6N_7H0ZIl8
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50rEIHC6lB0
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxI3UDWflH8
  8. [2]

About This Article

Joanne Gruber Co-authored by: Joanne Gruber Professional Stylist This article was co-authored by Joanne Gruber. Joanne Gruber is a Professional Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. She has worked in the fashion and style industries for over 10 years, specializing in educating people on the art of re-purposing existing clothing to freshen up a wardrobe. Joanne opened The Closet Stylist in 2007, a personal style service combining wardrobe editing with organization. This article has been viewed 327,350 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 36 Updated: December 9, 2024 Views: 327,350 Categories: Featured Articles | Clothes by Type Article SummaryX

To wear a kilt, first wrap the kilt around your body with the pleats to the back. Then, fasten the kilt by pulling the strap on the right apron through to the outside and fastening it to the buckle, as you would a belt. Finally, adjust your kilt so its centered on your body with the fringed edge along the right side, and draped in an “A” shape. If you want to add a kilt pin for decoration and to keep your kilt from flapping around, put it through the front apron, about 4 inches up from the bottom and 2 inches over from the side. To learn how to wear a sporran and put on your kilt hose, garters, flashes, and brogues, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Phill Berger

    Phill Berger

    Mar 17, 2018

    "I was unaware of how long my kilt should be! Now I know, even though it is 2.5" below my knees. However, I do..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Joanne Gruber Co-authored by: Joanne Gruber Professional Stylist Co-authors: 36 Updated: December 9, 2024 Views: 327,350 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Phill Berger

Phill Berger

Mar 17, 2018

"I was unaware of how long my kilt should be! Now I know, even though it is 2.5" below my knees. However, I do..." more Steven Buchanan

Steven Buchanan

Mar 31, 2018

"Very helpful! I am very much interested in my Scottish roots. I recently purchased a kilt and wanted to know what..." more Ted Franke

Ted Franke

Nov 30, 2016

"I very much liked the explanation how to dress and wear a kilt. I would have liked something about casual kilts and..." more Chris W.

Chris W.

Dec 29, 2018

"This information is helpful to men like me who are formal as necessary." Rated this article: Danny Harper

Danny Harper

Dec 5, 2017

"How a kilt should be worn, i.e. length above/below knee." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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