skirtcafe.org

I bought my first kilt recently.

I had never had much interest in kilts, thinking them crude, heavy, not particularly practical, but I figured what's the harm in trying one and anyway an Irishman needs to at least own a kilt. So I bought a "casual kilt" online from the Scotland Kilt Company. An 8-yard poly-viscose job in a red tartan, at a price of £39.99 including postage (about 45 euro).

It arrived in less than a week, and I must admit to being quite impressed with it. Yes it is heavy at over a kilogram but (to my inexperienced eye) it's well made, the fabric feels good, and it has an overall impression of quality. It's a bit of a ritual putting it on, with three straps to buckle, but I suppose that adds to the experience of donning something special.

I haven't really figured out how to wear it yet, what goes well with it, but I suspect the rest of my outfit needs to be similarly sturdy - thick socks, woollen jumper, solid shoes. Stuff I never wear with my everyday lightweight skirts. But I'll give it a go, and maybe I'll get hooked!

I'll report back at some stage with the field test results.

Owen,

Did you order the 'flashes' that match the kilt?

{ Flashes = fancy name for a garter. This is what holds up
your kilt hose, just below the knee. You pull the hose up
as high as it will go, then place the 'flash' around your leg
just below the knee. The 'flash' is placed on the out-side
of the leg. Then fold the kilt hose down over the top of
the 'flash', which covers the elastic band of the 'flash'.
This way the little 'flags' or 'flashes' will show and they
will match the tartan/color of the kilt.}

The material of the kilt is heavy enough to stay down, especially
when wearing a sporran. This let's 'the boys' breath, keeping a
bit cooler than the rest of the body.

If you don't already have one, I strongly suggest getting a kilt pin. The weight
of 'the pin' helps to keep the top apron from blowing up in a breeze.
Do not pin the top & bottom apron together
If you do, when you sit down, the apron will not fall properly between
your legs. With just the top apron 'pinned', the 'fall of the apron' will
be proper and avoid any 'immodest views'.

Have fun You'll enjoy your kilt

Uncle Al

(I hope this info helps!)

P.S. - with a red tartan, not seeing the pattern, I'd suggest any
shirt color that matches the minor/lessor colors. A good standard
color is white or off-white. But with red you can also go with a
solid blue, yellow, tan, even black shirt. If at all possible, wear the
same color of kilt (2-3 inches wide) belt as your shoes.

Thanks for that, Uncle Al. I have a lot to learn about how to wear a kilt. I don't usually bother much about the "right" way to do things, but in this case it's worth paying respect to the traditions.

I didn't get flashes, but I'll put those on my list (matching colours presumably). I remember wearing garters with school-colour flashes when I was a young kid, as part of the school uniform along with the regulation knee-socks and shorts.

I got a kilt pin in a local shop, just a big 3-inch safety pin really, the type girls use on their school "kilts". I might invest in one of the more decorative ones at some stage.

I have a sporran on the way, a plain black leather one with tassels which I plan to amputate.

To hell with the dagger-in-sock bit though; I've no interest in getting arrested.

I'm looking forward to wearing all my kilt gear out and about soon. St. Patrick's day is only a week and a half away, and there will be loads of pipe bands parading around town, and in the pubs afterwards, so I'll be in good company!

Owen,

Get the flashes from the kilt maker. They're supposed to match
the material of the kilt. I do have a solid black pair but they're
still in the package. Since I wear support hose (black), I usually
don't wear the flashes unless it is a special occasion. Today I
wore my Irish National Kilt and the matching flashes with my
support hose.

I did wear a solid light yellow colored shirt with my kilt. It helps
to enhance the yellow stripes of the kilt. A solid white shirt would
enhance the white stripe of the kilt. If I would wear a black shirt,
well.....you get the idea.

I also have the matching fly-plaid for my Irish National Kilt.
This is worn over the left shoulder of my Prince Charlie coat,
flowing down my back. Again, this is for formal occasions.

I do not wear a Sgian Dubhs as I don't feel that it is a neccessary
item for casual wear. If I would be attending a formal occasion,
yes - I would wear a Sgian Dubh. (Have to purchase one first )

Anyway, the key is the flashes match the kilt tartan.

Ok - I've had a rough day, and signing off for now.
I'll explain later in another post.

Uncle Al

Uncle Al said: I also have the matching fly-plaid for my Irish National Kilt.

My bad, my bad, my bad...I didn't know kilts had flys, do they have mosquitoes too??....:::dancing in a circle cackling madly:::