Buying a kilt

[Steve Ashton]

When it comes right down to it, there are no hard and fast, written rules that you must follow. So no one can give you a ticket for some rule that does not exist.

There is no dress code.

There is the common thinking that you SHOULD wear something with your kilt that fits within a certain mold, But what that mold is, depends on who you are talking to.

Some dress in quite extravagance. Tweeds and expensive custom jackets.

Some dress like they are auditioning for a period costume movie roll.

Some dress down like they were heading out to WallMart.

And everything in between.

Where many of the ideas on how one SHOULD dress in a kilt come from the Rental Companies and Hollywood.

But would you really want to wear that on the street going grocery shopping or walking the dog?

The best advice is to dress so that you are comfortable in your own skin and the clothing you put over it.

For example, I owned a custom kilt shop and almost any day of the week you would find me sewing kilts, or talking with customers, dressed like this -



Standard Wing Tips. (Scrap yarn extra)

Now I do know how to dress up when the occasion requires it. If I am invited to an event that specifies "Black Tie" then I dress appropriately.

But to be honest I have dressed like this more times to take publicity photos than to actually attend a Black Tie event.



On those occasions when I want or need to present a more "professional" appearance I may put a jacket on.


My magic tassel slip-ons. (the tassels always point to the nearest pub)

Or even a tie -



But please notice that I go out of my way not to look like I rented my outfit. I do not, and will never, own a Ruche tie. I do not own a fur sporran. I do own a Prince Charlie Coatee but that is because someone came into my shop and gave it to me. I used to own an Argyle Jacket but don't any longer. I think there may be a pair of Ghillies in the bottom of a box somewhere but I have worn them maybe once.

Heck, I don't even own or wear a Clan Tartan. The only crest I ever wear is the X Marks Crest and only on 'official' occasions.



I may, if the weather conditions dictate, break all the rules.



So be comfortable in your clothes. Don't follow someone elses rules just because it is in some book or on some website.

Be yourself and you can never go wrong.