FAQs

You may wear any tartan that suits your fancy! Not all Scots are members of Highland Clans, and not all kilt-wearers are Scots. There are several tartans that are considered Universal, meaning that anyone may wear them.

The weight of the tartan refers to the thickness of the thread used to weave the fabric. Tartan is available in several weights, giving a different feel and look to each piece of cloth.

Lightweight (11oz) material is general thought to be too light for a traditional kilt. It may be used for making skirts, sashes, and other accessories
Medium weight (13 oz) material is acceptable for a traditional kilt and is often preferred by kilt wearers in warm climates, or those kilts that do not get a lot of wear and tear.
Heavy weight (16-18 oz) material offers a more durable garment and provides that “swing” to the kilt. Heavy weight tartan is often used by pipe bands and folks that are everyday kilt wearers because of its durability.

There are several different styles of dress ranging from full formal to casual outfits. Here are some suggestions (only suggestions, let your own fashion sense be your guide…. Or get some help from those that know a wee bit more about it at: www.Xmarksthescot.com

Full Formal: Equivalent to a Black tie outfit. This is perfect for weddings (don’t outshine the bride, though), special functions and other formal events

Traditional kilt

Prince Charlie Jacket

3-button vest

Fly Plaid

Belt

Buckle

Full dress sporran

Kilt shirt – usually a wing collar shirt with French cuffs

Bow tie

Kilt hose

Flashes

Sgian Dubh

Kilt pin

Ghillie Brogues (traditional Scottish shoes)

Semi-Formal: Can be worn to most events including weddings

Traditional Kilt

Argyll Jacket

5 button vest

Semi-dress Sporran

Standard dress shirt

Neck tie (or ruched or standard neck tie)

Ghillie brogues or dress shoes

Kilt hose

Flashes

Kilt pin

Sgian Dubh

Casual: This outfit can vary according to the intention of the wearer, and can be worn to most daytime events:

5- 8 yard kilt

Casual Waistcoat

Ghillie or jacobite shirt

Leather Sporran

Belt

Buckle

Brogues or day shoes

Hose

Flashes

Casual sgian dubh

Kilt pin

Great Kilt: The precursor to the kilt, made with 5 yards of double wide tartan. The bottom half is worn pleated and held in place by a belt forming the kilt. The upper half is draped over the shoulder and fastened with a brooch or pin:

Great Kilt

Shirt appropriate to represent the historical time period.

Sporran

Kilt hose

Flashes

Shoes appropriate to represent the historical time period.

The color shades used in tartans will vary from mill to mill, depending on the dyes used to make the threads.

A single clan can have more than one tartan associated with it. There are several groups of tartan colorings:

Ancient colors: These are usually made in more faded colors to represent the vegetable dyes that were once used.

Weathered colors: These are made to reproduce the effect of tartans that have been weathered by the elements.

Muted colors: These usually reproduce more earth tones such as olive, slat blue and deep red.

Modern colors: These feature bright colors available through modern dyeing processes.

Dress colors: These usually have a white background.

Hunting colors: These are usually made from neutral colors such as brown or grey.

There are several ways to have a kilt pleated, the most common ways are pleated to the Sett or to the Stripe.

Pleating to the Sett means that the pleats are made so that the design (sett) of the tartan is reproduced across the back of the kilt.

Pleating to the Stripe means that the pleats are made so that one particular vertical line in the tartan is centered on every pleat. Many military groups and pipe bands use this type of pleating.

Generally ladies highland wear is not as extensive as Men’s wear. They usually wear:

Kilted Skirt (although many women opt to wear the traditional men’s kilt and that’s just fine)

Tartan sash or tartan shawl

There is also a longer hostess skirt and mini kilt available for women to wear.

All of our kilts are hand sewn and they are not going to be rushed. It is not uncommon for our prodution turn around to be weeks. We will tell you how many kilts we have ahead of your when you are ready to order. 

There are certain standards that govern fashion and how to wear it. In good taste, one would probably not ask a gentleman what he is wearing under his pants or trousers (but there is no accounting for what would account for good taste).

Consider these facts:

Underwear as we understand it was not invented until long after the kilt had been worn for centuries.

Everyone has their own level of comfort with what they wear (or don’t) wear under the kilt.

It doesn’t really matter, there are no “Kilt police” and those that purport to be card-carrying members should be regarded with suspicion.

So, for fun, here are some of the most common responses:

“Madam, there is nothing worn under the kilt, everything is in perfect working condition.”

“Aye, when I wear my kilt the Lord looks down with pride, and the Devil looks up with envy.”