How to Style Your Kilt for Wedding, Highland Games & Casual Wear?

Complete kilt outfits are suitable for events without concern for the event’s formality. Regarding styling tips for exceptional events like weddings, Highland games, or casual wearers, knowing the proper methods and components is essential. You may wonder why styling kilts on different occasions differ too. First, let us answer this particular query and then we will discuss kilt-styling ways!

Why Styling Kilts is Different On Occasions

Kilts are typically styled differently for several occasions to reflect the formality of the event. Let’s use a few instances to further explain it. A basic kilt, maybe paired with accessories and a casual sporran and is suitable for informal gatherings. A more refined kilt, on the other hand, ensembles with a fine sporran and additional accessories may be required for more formal events like weddings or those with a dress code. Therefore, the type of an occasion influences the selection of tartan, sporran variety, and additional embellishments.

Styling Your Kilt for Weddings

Wedding ceremonies are considered formal events, which means attiring the complete outfits becomes necessary there. Thus, there are multiple accessories that you attach to your kilt on a must-to-do basis

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The Formal Look

Prince Charlie Jacket & Waistcoat: The most important parts of attire that enhance your personality after kilts are Prince Charlie Jackets with 3-buttoned waistcoats. They are suitable for formal and sometimes semi-formal settings.

Wing collar Shirt with a Bow Tie: When it comes to shirts for weddings, you can wear regular kilt shirts instead of Jacobite shirts. This particular variation has laces that are fastened under the collar. It means there is no place to attach a bow tie.

Dress sporran: A sporran is the backbone of Scottish attire. Dress sporrans with original animal fur and a silver cantle having traditional symbols are ideal for weddings.

Kilt hose with Flashes and Ghillie Brogues: There are several variations of shoes to be paired with kilt outfits. However, Ghillie Brogues serves as the traditional and the most suitable one. Similarly, Scottish attire includes special long socks, known as hose, which are folded. Flashes are used to prevent them from falling. All of these elements are mandatory for weddings.

Sgian-dubh and Kilt Pin: Sgian-dubh and kilt accessories are the next parts. A kilt pin plays an important role in the attire but a Sgian-dubh, on the other hand, is optional. Attaching it is part of tradition but not a necessity.

Fly Plaid & Brooch: The final attachments here are fly plaid and brooches. A fly plaid is a piece of tartan fabric attached to the shoulder while the brooch holds it. Pairing them ]means to admire heritage.

Color & Tartan Choice

An important aspect of dressing in a kilt outfit for a wedding is choosing the right color or tartan patterns. The priority is always wearing family tartan. If a man does not belong to a clan, he can choose universal tartans. However, the colors should match the wedding’s theme like green, blue, and navy. If you need a kilt outfit for your wedding, we have Prince Charlie Kilt Outfit that you can buy over a single click.

Styling Your Kilt for Highland Games

Let’s highlight styling kilts for Highland games. These gaming occasions are semi-formal occurrences which means the attachments may have flexibility. Every kilt accessory from shoes to shirts has multiple variations, depending on whether the wearer is a player or a participant.

Functional & Festive Attire

Jacobite or Casual Button-up Shirt: Jacobite shirts are popular because of their comfort and breathability. That’s why contributors and spectators both prefer this variation. Nevertheless, T-shirts and polo shirts are also common to see.

Utility or Day Sporran: A sporran is an important part of the Scottish dress and everybody proudly wears it. Players may not wear them due to the demands of the game. The crowd sitting outside the ground wears different sporrans like day or leather sporrans.

Light Jacket or Vest Depending on Weather: People dress in light jackets or vests during Highland Games begin in April and continue through October. Their choice may vary according to the climate or the current weather.

Shoes to be Paired with Kilts: Shoes also serve as the most important pairing of Scottish attire. Concerning weather and the status of the wearer, different footwear options include Ghillie Brogues, sneakers, dress shoes, and loafers.

Weather-appropriate Caps: Highland games usually take place in outdoor environments, where direct sunlight, heat, or a bit of cold are possibilities. That’s why people consider wearing different Scottish hats such as Tam O Shanter, Balmoral Bonnet, and most importantly Glengarry hat.

Choosing the Right Tartan

Everyone knows that the Highland Games attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Scotland annually. Thus, wearing the traditional attire of Scotland remains the priority of visitors to experience Scottish culture. So, the preference of locals always is to wear their family tartan. Moreover, those from other countries wear different variations of kilts and the universal patterns of tartan kilts.

Styling Your Kilt for Casual Wear

Traditional kilts are worn at formal events only, while casual occasions are the ones that do not have a proper dress code. There are no strict dress codes, allowing for freedom of expression. Modernism and the fashion industry gave birth to different kilt variations now which work as casual wear. Common examples of such kilts are denim, utility, and leather kilts.

Smart Casual Combinations

As the accessories vary in formal and semi-formal occasions, this aspect impacts casual kilt attire more prominently. While wearing kilts as casual wear, no restriction applies to the combinations.

T-shirt, Polo, or Casual Button-down Shirts: There is versatility in shirts and an individual can wear anything from polo and T-shirt to button-down shirt. He needs to wear what comforts him while its color must complement the kilts.

Denim or Leather Jacket: In weddings or Highland games people are mostly restricted to Prince Charlie, Argyll, and Tweed jackets. In contrast, this criteria does not apply here and one can wear anything from denim to leather jackets, whatever suits him or maintain the coziness.

Minimalist or Casual Sporran: Pairing a sporran with casual wear is not an essentiality. Those who love attaching Scottish bags can choose simple to casual ones.

Boots, Sneakers, or Loafers as Footwear: Proper footwear has importance in ceremonial or semi-formal occasions, though this differs in casual kilt attire. People can wear anything from casual boots to loafers and sandals.

Low Socks or Kilt Hose Rolled Down: The height or size of the socks is not a concern in this case. Wearing a kilt hose (traditional kilt socks) is not compulsory and one can wear anything. If he prefers wearing a pair of tartan socks, particularly with hybrid kilts, taking them to the knees is not mandatory.

Modern vs. Traditional Balance

Tartan selection unites personal taste and tradition in casual kilt fashion. A significant link is provided by traditional tartans, which frequently represent clan or family heritage. Therefore, contemporary kilts exist in trendy designs and all-purpose tartans, so everyone wears them. Finding a balance between accurate fit and comfort is crucial for an outfit that is both individually expressive and culturally acceptable. If you look to buy a casual kilt outfit, IKS offers many made with exceptional quality.

Do’s and Don’ts for Kilt Styling

Knowing a few fundamental etiquette rules when wearing a kilt. It guarantees that you honor the traditional dress’s dignity while yet looking put together and acceptable for the situation. Here are some important things to remember:

• For the ideal traditional length, wear kilts that fit your size, ensuring the hem falls at the center of your knees.
• Keep your accessories to a minimum so as not to overpower the grace and simplicity of traditional Scottish dress.
• The glory of a kilt is its pleats; keep them nicely pressed to keep them looking sharp and dignified.
• It seems culturally improper and upsets the harmony of the ensemble to wear many tartans or loudly clashing patterns.
• If you are a member of a Scottish clan, wear your family tartan with pride; if not, wear universal or trendy tartans with deference.
• Do not overlook details like hose folding, kilt pins, or flashes. Your ensemble may appear underdressed and unfinished.

Buy Exceptional Kilt Outfits for Different Occasions from IKS

Buying a kilt outfit is not the same as a pair of pants. Simply selecting your size, choosing a wash, and going to the register is not enough. Irish Kilt Shop is the best place to go if you’re looking for a complete set of Scottish clothing, as we offer everything from outstanding, premium goods to exceptional customer support. Order an outfit for yourself by stopping by our store before the occasion arrives!

FAQs About Kilt-Wearing Styles