Wearing a kilt to a wedding for the first time

**Tomo** · 4th October 20, 11:33 PM

Ditch the sash.

In terms of the sporran, a day sporran or semi-dress probably works best. That said I have worn my kilt to 3 weddings, 2 at the express request of the bride (the other was my own), at all three I wore a dress sporran - although with different jackets (PC, black argyle and charcoal crail). However, my dress sporran is fairly subtle in grey seal, with a relatively plain cantle - and whilst not entirely correct for daywear, I think I can get away with it (esp. as many others wouldn't appreciate the difference anyway). Go with what you think works best or are happiest with - but maybe best to keep it low key.

In terms of the hose, I would avoid white, cream or ecru - unless you are in a pipe band or wearing a hire outfit. Black is probably a better option and would work well with your tartan and choice of jacket. Otherwise, a plain colour picking out either the main field or one of the secondary colours of your kilt could be an option. Claret would probably work well with your tartan.

**Mr stonk** · 5th October 20, 12:39 AM

Living in Scotland I've been to a few kilted weddings and also seen many wedding parties at other venues where the kilts are worn.
On every occasion the sash is only worn by the groom and never by any other member of the wedding party, quite often it's the only difference between the groom and others, especially if it's all been hired.

Having said that, if you are the only one wearing the kilt I doubt anyone would think it strange or even know the difference.
I myself have a wedding this month and as far as I'm aware I'll be the only one in highland wear,it will be without the sash.

**Jock Scot** · 5th October 20, 01:36 AM

It depends on what your thinking really wants. Do you want a dress theme along the traditional highland Scots wedding lines? Do you want to dress along the hire shop theme? Do you want to dress along a more pantomime-esque line? There are distinct differences in choice. For help with the last two choices then google images have plenty of pictures to help you make your choices.

A picture(click to enlarge) for you to consider of me dressed in a basic standard style of kilt attire for the traditional Highland Scots wedding guest to wear that is still worn to this day. Lounge/business suit equivalent.

DSCN0041.jpg

**ThistleDown** · 5th October 20, 05:11 PM

Stay well clear of the sash...and the black hose. For hose choose a colour or colour-blend that you like; stay away from white, and even ecru (with some exceptions).

You haven't told us the time of day but if it's an afternoon wedding go with Jock Scot's (our well-dressed landed gentleman) suggestion, but you have selected an Argyle jacket with, I assume, silver-coloured buttons, so I think this is either late-afternoon or evening? If you decide to purchase a new sporran, stay away from the 'semi-dress' ones. Those are neither a hither nor a fro in the Highlands, although I've often seen them worn in Edinburgh and in NA. Go with a plain, good quality black, or a brown 'hunter' style.

If you want to see pics of what the perfectly-attired wears in Scotland, google 'Prince Charles highland dress'.

And, as Anne said, talk with your wife.

**McMurdo** · 5th October 20, 08:51 PM

Here is a photo from the last kilted wedding I went to. The groom and groomsmen are wearing black barathea argyll jackets, the groom is wearing a claret waistcoat while the others wear black. I am wearing a Lovat green Argyll and waistcoat with purple hose and my Scottish wildcat Tartan with a plain brown leather day sporran with a long link silver chain and a dress sign dubh with black dress shoes. A sash is for women, please leave it a home or have your wife wear it. If I were to wear your tartan I would suggest claret as there is a red stripe in the tartan.

**Shinenotburn** · 5th October 20, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Here is a photo from the last kilted wedding I went to. The groom and groomsmen are wearing black barathea argyll jackets, the groom is wearing a claret waistcoat while the others wear black. I am wearing a Lovat green Argyll and waistcoat with purple hose and my Scottish wildcat Tartan with a plain brown leather day sporran with a long link silver chain and a dress sign dubh with black dress shoes. A sash is for women, please leave it a home or have your wife wear it. If I were to wear your tartan I would suggest claret as there is a red stripe in the tartan.

You all look great McMurdo.

**Jock Scot** · 6th October 20, 12:56 AM

I think we need to make it crystal clear that in some circumstances it is perfectly acceptable to wear tweed and day attire in the evening. It does depend though on the circumstance of the event and the intentions of one’s host.

**Mr stonk** · 6th October 20, 01:14 AM

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This is a very nice wedding party photo, I always think it looks so much better when all the kilts and highland wear are different from each other.
When everyone is wearing something similar then it usually means hired and although there's nothing wrong with hiring I do enjoy seeing the different styles.

**Nik** · 6th October 20, 05:51 AM

Ok I'll ditch the sash and get color hose.

To answer a few questions. The wedding will likely be day or early evening. As I mentioned the theme of the wedding is the 1920s-30s. So my wife is wearing a flapper dress, opera gloves and peacock feather headband. I'd like to try and keep with the theme and I know in the 1920s they were a bit more formal in dress which is why I asked about the sash.

And also to add I am going to be the only one there, to my knowledge anyway, wearing highland dress. I won't be going the full nine years as I can't afford the gillies or the Sgian-dubh. I'm trying to get within the period as best I can with what I have.

Thank you guys for the advise! I will be following it to make sure my first wedding in highland dress I don't look silly.

**FossilHunter** · 7th October 20, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Mr stonk

This is a very nice wedding party photo, I always think it looks so much better when all the kilts and highland wear are different from each other.
When everyone is wearing something similar then it usually means hired and although there's nothing wrong with hiring I do enjoy seeing the different styles.

I agree with this sentiment. I love seeing a dozen men in the same basic outfit but all the tweeds, ties, kilts, and hose are subtly or not so subtly different. It’s amazing how diverse highland dress can appear with what is essentially identical outfits.

Some of the members here could easily do a version of “one kilt ten looks” where all ten were of smart daywear!