Kilt accessories are an important part of the modern Scottish kilt accessories set, also, a part of the Irish kilt accessories set, considered by some to be the manliest of all formal outfits as it is both bold and endearing.
What many people do not realize is that the kilt is a complex piece of clothing which needs to be treated with respect.
If you have Scottish or Celtic heritage, then a kilt should be an option for any formal gathering. Of course, you should first understand when to wear the kilt as well as the history behind it.
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The Occasions to Wear Kilt Accessories
There are actually only three situations when the modern kilt accessories are appropriate. The first is a formal event where black-tie attire is required. This will include weddings and other formal gatherings such as funerals.
Another time when the kilt accessories are appropriate is during Scottish heritage events such as the Highland Games and Ceilidh. The last situation is during Scottish National team sports such as football where fans become the tartan army.
During these events, the kilt is usually combined with a casual football shirt and chunky shoes which make up the uniform of the tartan army. Some people wear kilts in more casual settings.
However, this is frowned upon by many people and should be avoided. Many people have taken to wearing utility kilts for casual activities, and this is not generally one of the occasions to wear a modern kilt with impressive kilt accessories.
1) Best Kilt Accessories Set: the Kilt
The usual form of the kilt is an 8-yard piece of wool cloth which has been hand-stitched and pleated. The kilt will be durable and provide sufficient air flow through the pleats.
The pattern is typically tartan; usually the tartan colors of the family, and come with double buckles for the full wrap around effect. The family tartan colors is a complex world of history and heritage.
However, there are certain colors which relate to different activities, and this should be considered when looking at kilts. Patterns with more white are considered dress colors; greener is for hunting, understated colors are for muted occasions. Of course, the meaning of the colors may vary depending on the family.
A kilt is traditionally worn around the midsection, just under the ribs. This is much higher than trousers, and you need to consider this when looking at kilt lengths.
The end of the kilt should rest between the top and middle of the kneecap. Any deviations from this would be an incorrectly sized kilt and would not keep with the traditions of the clothing.
2) Kilt Accessories: Kilt Jackets and Waistcoats
The clothing worn on the upper half of the body is important when looking at kilts as it must be appropriate. It is possible to get a range of different kilt jackets, but there are three which you will commonly see.
These are the Price Charles jacket, Argyll jacket, and Day jacket. All of the kilt jackets are wool and are made to balance the air circulation of the kilt with a warmer upper body. It is a necessary part of the best kilt accessories set, an these jackets are available on Amazon.
2.1) Prince Charlie Jackets
The Prince Charlie jacket is the most formal of the jackets. This would be a good choice for formal occasions and any black-tie events.
2.2) Argyll Jackets
The Argyll is less formal than Prince Charlie and shaped in a more conventional way. This is the most versatile of the jackets and can be worn in different situations, both form and informal.
2.3) Day Jackets
The Day jackets are the most casual of the jackets with a conventional shaping and are often made of tweed. These jackets are also experimental regarding color and come in a range of greens.
3) Scottish Kilt Accessories and Irish Kilt Accessories
Many people believe that it is the accessories with the kilt that indeed makes them. Accessories are usually small, and there are many that you can consider. These will include neckties, socks, sporran, ghillie brogues and more.
Here is the full list of accessories to wear with a kilt:
3.1) Tartan Neckties
When looking at neckties, there are three options which are appropriate with Highland clothing. The most formal is a bowtie and will generally be black.
Cravats matching or complimenting the kilt can be worn for more casual events. The last is woolen or tweed ties which are worn for the very casual situations. This is affordable and cheap kilt accessory for your traditional kilt set.
3.2) Kilt Accessories: Sporran
The sporran is the manliest bag possible and a traditional part of the kilt. The bag was traditionally made of the hair of an animal which the wearer had killed. The pouch is loosely chained around the waist and rests in the front.
It is possible to find simple Sporran made from plain leather, but others are more elaborate and ornate. These ornate pouches are usually saved for special occasions and the leather ones used for more everyday situations.
3.3) Kilt Socks
The socks worn with the kilt are called kilt hose and are made from wool. These long and thick socks were traditionally cream and worn with formal kilts. However, more modern kilt wearers choose to have black socks with both being appropriate for formal wear.
Colors other than cream and black are usually reserved for the casual events when you would be wearing your Day jacket.
3.4) Ghillie Brogues
Ghillie Brogues are seen as the only option when wearing a kilt to a formal event and they can be a nightmare. These shoes are leather with a metal insert in the heel and laces that go halfway up the calf.
The laces are twisted around multiple times offering an accent to the outfit and ensuring that you can make the noise you should on the dance floor.
3.5) Jacobite Ghillie Shirt for Kilts
There are traditional kilt shirts, called ghillie shirts and Jacobite shirts, that should be worn for formal events. These shirts have a winged collar and are suited to bow ties and cravats. If you are going to be dressed in a straight tie, then a regular shirt is acceptable.
3.6) Kilt Belts Accessories and Buckles
Belts and buckles are not always necessary. These accessories are usually only required when a waistcoat is not part of the outfit. They are matched with Argyll jackets and a bow tie or straight tie.
3.7) Kilt Flashes
Kilt flashes can be bought in solid colors or patterns to match the kilt tartan. The flashes are worn on the outside of the calf with a garter hidden under the fold of the socks.
4) Kilt Accessories: Ornaments
About kilts, ornaments are very different to accessories and are authentic pieces of tradition. These items will include some of the best kilt pin and Sgian Dubh knife.
Each of these ornaments needs to be placed correctly, and you need to understand the symbolism and meaning behind them.
4.1) Kilt Pin
The kilt pin can be likened to a brooch for your kilt and will traditionally be made of silver. The pin will often be in the shape of a weapon of animal feet.
The pin will be placed in the stop apron, and the positioning can vary. However, the pin is usually placed an inch above the end of the kilt and an inch to from the side.
4.2) Traditional Scottish Kilt Accessories: Sgian Dubh
The Sgian Dubh is a small dagger which is placed at the top of the sock. This ornament was originally a sign of manners as you would bring your knife to dinner, but this is now seen as something more assertive. The dagger can be plain or ornate with some carrying a family seal.
In Conclusion
There is a lot to understand about the modern kilt before you start wearing one. It is important that you under the tradition behind the kilt and why it is worn. The different occasions where it is appropriate should also be looked into along with the jackets that are traditionally worn.
The accessories you can pair with the kilt are important as they each offer an additional accent to the outfit and are usually reserved for certain occasions. The two ornaments also have traditions and should not be used simply to finish the look of the kilt.
