Worst Kilt Mistakes

So, you’ve decided to buy your first kilt. Congratulations—you’re stepping into a tradition that’s bold, stylish, and full of heritage. But before you stride out proudly in your tartan, let’s talk about the biggest mistakes first-time kilt wearers make—and how you can avoid them.

The number one mistake new kilt buyers make is measuring incorrectly. A kilt is not just another pair of pants; it’s a tailored garment meant to sit differently on the body.

• Don’t use your pant size.
• Jeans sizing rarely matches your true waist.
• Measure at your natural waist. That’s around or just above your belly button—not down on your hips.
• Get the length right by measuring down the side of your leg from the natural waist to the middle of the kneecap.
• A kilt should fall around the middle of your kneecap. Too short, and you’ll end up with a “mini-kilt” look that can’t be fixed. A kilt that is too long is also a problem.

Remember: Once a kilt is cut too short, there’s no stretching it longer! Take the time to measure carefully—it’s the foundation of everything else.

FOLLOW THIS MEASURING GUIDE

Another common pitfall is sticker shock. Many new kilt wearers think they need the entire outfit immediately—jacket, belt, sporran, flashes, hose, ghillie brogues, and so on. That can be a big bill to face all at once.

Here’s the secret: you don’t need everything on day one.

• Start with the kilt itself. This is your cornerstone piece. Get the best kilt you can afford without breaking the bank. Remember a good kilt can be dressed up or down simply by changing the accessories you wear with it.
• Add a basic sporran and belt - these are the absolute essentials you need to functionally wear a kilt every day.
• Build your collection over time. Better sporrans, hose, jackets, and buckles can be added gradually.

Wearing the kilt and making Highland Dress a part of your lifestyle is a journey. Each new piece adds to your look and collecting items that speak to you like klt pins, sporrans or sgian dubhs is part of the fun (makes Christmas shopping a lot easier too!). So take your time and enjoy! 

If you do want to "jump start" your kilt wearing, USA Kilts offers Kilt Packages that range from casual to formal. This is a way to get all the pieces you need for one complete kilt outfit and save money - the package includes a price discount.

When you’re excited about kilts, it’s tempting to go all out; big flashy buckles, ornate dress sporrans, and bold accessories. But especially for your first outings, subtle is smarter.

Simple, serviceable pieces let the kilt, and your personality, do the talking.
The idea is to look like you have been doing this for years; that wearing the kilt comes naturally to you. And in a short time it will! Fancier accessories can give an impression of "trying too hard" and result in your outfit looking like a costume.  Shoot for easy, elegant restraint. You can always expand your style and your collection as you go.

Of course the big exception to this is if you are getting your first kilt and accessories for a wedding. Read our wedding guide for tips on that. 

Here are a few rapid-fire kilt wearing tips:

• Pleats go in the back. ALWAYS.
  
  
• Remove the basting stitching. Some kilts arrive with what is called "basting stitches" still in the pleats. These are are sometimes used by a kilt maker to keep the pleats alligned during constructioin and also nice and neat during shipping. They are easy to snip out before wearing.
  
  
• Choose your kilt hose wisely. Cream- or white-colored kilt hose look like rentals. Charcoal or a color that compliments your tartan is always sharper!
• Adjust your sporran. It should rest just a few fingers below your belt buckle—not halfway down your thighs.
  
  
• Use the kilt pin correctly. The kilt pin is affixed to the top apron of your kilt only, never both layers. It functrions as a wind weight and a bit of "bling" but is not a closure.
• Do not mix tartans. There's nothing wrong with owning more than one tartan kilt, or tartan accessories such as tartan neckties, but never wear two different tartans in the same outfit. It looks very odd; some would say amateurish or tacky.
  
  
• Do NOT wear a sash. Despite what you may have seen at the Rennaisance fair, tartan sashes are women's Highland Dress, not men's. Sometimes men seem to confuse the sash with the Fly Plaid, but they are two very different accessories. (and remember the fly plaid is only worn with a jacket).
  
  
• Be careful when running or jumping. A sporran loaded with your wallet, phone etc. has a mind of its own. You’ll learn this lesson once, and only once. Best practice is to slide your sporran off to the side before doing any atheltic movement.