Buying a kilt

**Steve Ashton** · 31st December 21, 04:56 PM

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.

**kilted2000** · 31st December 21, 05:01 PM

If you want to know about traditional highland wear, take a look at this thread.
Besides the kilt, nothing is really required. It's not a uniform.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...xamples-85511/

**stewmini** · 31st December 21, 06:15 PM

Steve thanks ! By the way the photo of you in your shop, where did you get that belt? I like that one! Anyway, if I am understanding its a common sense dictates when, where and for what occasion or activity I may be attending... again curious about the belt...and I think its not needed for a properly fitted kilt.. but if the mood fits..

**Steve Ashton** · 31st December 21, 06:28 PM

The belt is from a company in Ireland called Lee River. I used to sell a lot of them but since I retired I don't know of anyone carrying them. Sorry.

**KennethSime** · 1st January 22, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by stewmini

Steve thanks ! By the way the photo of you in your shop, where did you get that belt? I like that one! Anyway, if I am understanding its a common sense dictates when, where and for what occasion or activity I may be attending... again curious about the belt...and I think its not needed for a properly fitted kilt.. but if the mood fits..

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

The belt is from a company in Ireland called Lee River. I used to sell a lot of them but since I retired I don't know of anyone carrying them. Sorry.

I'm not sure of that particular belt, but USA Kilts does stock Lee River - my wallet is from them.

Stew, re: shoes, ghillie brogues were popularized by the kilt rental industry in the 70s. I like a nice pair of brown oxfords or derbies dressing up, and a nice pair of brown work boots if dressing down.

**Pleater** · 4th January 22, 10:10 AM

This is an ideal candidate for the use of dressmaking waist tape, aka shaped buckram which is fairly stiff and intended for drawing in the top of a skirt, into the waistband - but I use it upside down so as to insist that the top of the kilt is above the waist, and the stiffness helps to prevent a problem I have with the centre back tending to sag.
Most kilts which are sagging and/or stretching are lacking in reinforcement, so the inside of the kilt is accessible to affix the tape just below the top binding and secure it in the right orientation onto the inside of the pleats.

Anne the Pleater

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

Today it is quite common to find kilts made without the taper in the Rise. You see this in the less expensive kilts, many off-the-peg kilts, and almost all of the middle Eastern imported kilts.

The result, of course, is that the smallest part of the kilt is no longer at the top strap - but at the top band of the kilt. A kilt made this way will always droop down over the course of a day. Further leading to the mid knee look.

**Tomo** · 4th January 22, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

The belt is from a company in Ireland called Lee River. I used to sell a lot of them but since I retired I don't know of anyone carrying them. Sorry.

Oddly enough I can't find them on the Lee River website - but they are available from their Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/listing/2273320...search_click=1

**Steve Ashton** · 4th January 22, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Tomo

Oddly enough I can't find them on the Lee River website - but they are available from their Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/listing/2273320...search_click=1

That price is outrageous. I was paying about $30.00usd each. After paying shipping and import duties I could still retail them for half that.

**Kitfoxdave** · 1st April 22, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by stewmini

This is good info to know. What is your opinion/recommendation of a reputable maker?

I bought a closeout / clearance kilt (Mackensie old colors) and an Argyle jacket from St. Kilda kilts... really nice 8 yard medium weight wool and fit quite well, and the jacket is green highland tweed. Excellent value! Very helpful folks!

**TNScotsman** · 8th April 22, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by stewmini

Where does one get a decent pair of Ghillie Brogues?

Based on my experience you may want to try Ghillie Brogues on as I found the sizing to be different than what I normally wear in shoes or boots. I wear either a wide or extra wide in footwear and where I got my Ghillie Brogues (Atlanta Kilts), they didn't come in different widths, just sizes. As a result I had to go up in size from what I usually wear to have a width that fits my feet.