Kilt guide for Americans

Hello!

               Today I’m going to explain how I wear one of the oldest fashion statements in the world: the kilt. Now I’m a fan of the kilt because I am of Scottish descent. There are several ways to wear this staple of traditional Scottish attire, and I’m going to explain only one of them.

The way I wear a kilt is a more “traditional” way. For this you need the following:

1.      A kilt (obviously.).

2.      Knee socks and ‘flashings,’ or colorful ribbons in colors that match your kilt.

3.      A white dress shirt.

4.      Black or brown dress shoes.

5.      (Optional) A tartan scarf, which is a sash that goes from one shoulder to hip in the same color as your kilt.

Now to actually put on all of these items! You start with the kilt itself. The top of the kilt should fit exactly where the top of your jeans would go, on your waistline. Then you put on the socks like normal knee socks. The flashings usually have little elastic bands that you can clip around the socks close to your knee. Then you fold the top of the sock down to cover the white elastic, but not the colorful part of the flashing. The shirt gets tucked into the kilt, like a normal dress shirt, and the shoes are put on your feet. Like normal shoes. Surprises, right? The sash is a bit harder. To start, you should find the middle of it and put this part on your shoulder. You can hold this in place with a safety pin. Then you can either tie the ends of it together on the opposite hip or you can tuck them into a belt.

There are several things that you probably shouldn’t or should do while wearing a kilt.

1.      Don’t river dance unless you can actually do it.

2.      When asked if you have anything on under the kilt, please don’t say “Why don’t you come over here and find out.”

3.      Gentlemen, you have to sit like ladies.

4.      Windy or cold days are pretty uncomfortable while wearing a kilt.

5.      Be prepared for some manner of ridicule, and be prepared to laugh at your own expense.

6.      Just because you wear a kilt doesn’t make you 100%  Scottish all the time.

Anyways, I hope this guide helped teach you how to wear kilts if you’re an American!

Thanks for reading!

Matt Finley