What to wear with a casual kilt and a tight budget

[MizzouScotsman]

This is me in my USA Kilts causal kilt at the St. Louis Tartan Day festival. I am wearing my Clan Donald t-shirt, black kilt hose, and black tennis shoes. A nice sporran that my lovely Mrs got for me and my sgian dubh. The causal kilt wears nice for me when working a clan tent, especially in the summer time in Missouri.

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[kiltedrennie]

I often wear a black t-shirt, a very simple and inexpensive black leather sporran, black lace up boots or black casual shoes (something just above a sneaker and below a dress shoe), black cotton kilt socks (folded just under the knee on cold days and scrunched down if warmer), and an old beat up leather jacket if needed. Sometimes I wear a polo shirt or near-black oxford.

Now that I think of it, that's a lot of black. ;-)

But my tartan is MacQueen which is predominantly black and dark red. My polo shirt is yellow to match the yellow line in the tartan. I should see if I can find a complementary colored red shirt.

Oh, and I sometimes wear a wide black o-ring belt from the local renaissance festival. It has a single o-ring, so I hang the tail end of the belt along the front side toward the right. It helps hold down the kilt on windy days.

[Wil]

Seeing asa how we do not have Kilt Police it is really up to you and what you can afford. For me 1. A Kilt 2.Kilt Hose are a must along with Flashes 3. Sporran, it's up to you on what you can afford and as sporrans can be $ to $$$. 4. Sgian Dubh (a cheap one, you will never use it). Just to get you up and rolling I think this is all you need because you might just want to break in slowly and upgrade throughout the year on to bigger and better items. Good Luck

[nagod]

you have gotten good advice so far.if your hose will stay up or you wear them scrunched down you can do without flashes/garter ties.please dont wear a knifelike object that cant be used as a knife(this is not a required item for casual dress).

[Panache]

The one essential accessory you need is a sporran and a leather sporran belt.

While it would be easy to suggest an economy sporran that a number of vendors offer may I suggest you google "Buzz Kidder Sporrans". Stillwater Kilts and USA Kilts sometimes stock them as well as the Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop (where I got mine). There are several models available and while they are not the cheapest starter sporrans out there, at about $65, you get a very well made, large, and sturdy item that you will still use if you get more interested in kilts and highland attire. I have had mine for years and it has held up well. It still looks good after years of use. Also pick up an inexpensive leather sporran strap to use in stead of the chain belt that most sporrans come with (USA Kilts and Stillwater have them). It is not only better looking, especially for casual wear, but also better for preventing wear and tear on your kilt's front apron.

If you only wind up buying one sporran you couldn't do much better for a long lasting investment than a Buzz Kidder. A whole lot of X Markers have them and I have yet to read of a complaint. (I also think they are made in the USA)

Here's mine in action with a variety of outfits showing how a basic black sporran works with a lot of different looks











Cheers

Jamie

[Godot]

What Price Glory has a reproduction military style leather day sporran for $25. I've seen one in person and it looked like a solid daywear/pubwear sporran, but I wouldn't wear it for anything formal like a Burns' supper. I haven't ordered one yet, but I probably will in the near future.

[opositive]

i have a wpg brown sporran and wear it often. it is a very good "base item." with patience and knowledge gained here, a lot of fantastic used authentic stuff can be found in "for sale" and ebay on a budget.