Clothing

Kilts are a staple of Scottish attire and are worn widely for an array of events, not just a wedding. Kilts are often donned for celebrations, formal events, ceilidhs - sometimes even just a party! (And the occasional person will wear them in everyday life, but that's much less common). Traditionally, many tartans are associated with a family (or a 'clan').  Members of that family associate with the tartan.  Some families may not have their own tartan, and traditionally wore a tartan associated with the bigger clan their family were most associated with historically. Historically, in weddings, the handfasting cord(s) might also be made of the tartans of the two houses, and one spouse might be welcomed into the other clan by the pinning of the tartan (usually the clan of highest standing would welcome the spouse from the other clan) at a wedding.  Now, while many still choose tartans associated with their family, people are less strictly tied to their own family's tartan, and often choose tartans that match their wedding colours, or ones that they like best.  There are also now more tartans for specific professions, areas or pride that people may select.  

A kilt is a skirt-like garment that is wrapped around the waist.  A modern kilt uses around 8 yards of fabric, so they can be weighty and are often warmer than they might look. The formality of a kilt is often dictated by the shirt, tie (if worn), jacket and sporran of the outfit, with a wide range of options available for each.

Kilt pins are decorative, but also functional.  They're typically worn pinned into the lower corner of the outer apron of the kilt (about 2 inches from the bottom and 1.5-2 inches from the fringe), and weighs down the fabric so that the kilt does not blow open in the wind.  However, these pins can also be used to show personality, style or heritage.  They often depict clan symbols, or crests, or more widely Scottish symbols or an expression of personal preference (similar to a brooch).  The simplest of kilt pins are often in the style of a sword such as a Claymore.

Tartan trews (or tartan trousers) are made in all the same tartans as kilts, but are made as trousers.  These can either be made of lighter material, or similar thick material, making them quite versatile in terms of warmth.  They can either have a straight waistband (as with suit trousers) or a fishtail back.  Fishtail backs tend to be higher waisted, and can be worn more easily with traditional jackets. (Usually, fishtail backs are called trews, while the modern straight waistbands are referred to as tartan trousers).  With a fishtail back, you can wear a Prince Charlie or Argyll jacket.  Jackets made for kilts are often cut shorter/higher than suit jackets, so the higher waistline fits this better. Tartan trews and trousers often also go jackets that look more like suit jackets, though often adorned with square buttons as kilt jackets often are.  Velvet or tweed blazers are also common, depending on the weather and the event formality. Tartan trews are also often worn with more everyday formal shoes.  Some trews have belt loops and are worn with belts, but traditional fishtail trews are usually worn with braces (suspenders).

There is a wide range of jackets that can be worn with kilts.  Often, shops that sell or hire kilt outfits will help you select a jacket for your outfit and the occasion.  A Prince Charlie jacket is a very popular option for weddings and formal events.  It has a tailcoat cut, is often worn with a Prince Charlie waistcoat and bowtie, and has distinctive, square buttons.

A Montrose Doublet is also a very formal (or even royal) option, which is double breasted and has a high neck. It is uncommon for modern weddings. Similarly, a regulation doublet is seen as quite military but very formal, but uncommon for weddings. The third type of doublet, a Sherrifmuir doublet is similarly uncommon.  It is one of the older styles of jackets and is more common in historic events and re-enactments.

Argyll and Braemar jackets are also popular with kilts, with the Argyll being slightly more formal than the Braemar.  Both can easily be worn to a wedding.  Similarly, a tweed day jacket is often worn.

Finally a Kenmore jacket is another less common high necked option without lapels that is a more historic option.

While waistcoats are often not worn with ghillie shirts, they often are worn with other styles of shirts to a wedding.  In general, any waistcoat will likely pair well with the outfit, but there are some standard ones.  A Prince Charlie waistcoat is low cut with 3 buttons and often has distinctive lapels.  They tend to be made of the same material as everyday waistcoats, but may also be made of barathea wool.

The Argyll or Sherrifmuir waistcoats have 5 buttons and more closely follow modern waistcoats, and can be made of a range of materials, including barathea wool or tartan.

Tweed waistcoats are also popular for wedding outfits, as are velvet waistcoats for more formal or wintery events. For less formal and summer occasions, linen waistcoats are also popular.

A ghillie shirt (or Jacobite shirt) is often the least formal shirt option, but is also the most traditional, so it may be worn at more formal events too - sometimes being favoured for formal events.  It is laced up the front rather than fastened with buttons, and therefore is not worn with a tie.  These often also have tie cuffs (or more recently, elastic cuffs) at the wrists.

A crisp dress shirt is also a popular option in modern times, and can be paired well with any form of tie or bow tie (or no tie), so is a versatile option.  It's also popular because many people already own this type of shirt for other outfits.

A wing collar shirt is very similar to a dress shirt, but has a higher, less folded collar, and is often paired with a bow tie.

A band collar shirt has a similar outline to a dress shirt, but the collar is not turned down.  It is often less popular due to being less comfortable and more restrictive, but is still commonly found with kilt dress.  This is not paired with a tie.

Fly plaids are large squares of fabric, usually matching the kilt fastened over the shoulder with a large brooch (which can often be similar to a kilt pin, but is most commonly more decorative, perhaps depicting a clan symbol or crest).  They emulate the old "great kilt" which would have wrapped around the wearer's body.  These are seen as more formal, and are commonly worn by Scottish grooms at their own weddings.

The type of tie worn with a kilt outfit (and indeed whether one is worn at all) depends heavily on the type of shirt and jacket being worn.  For example, a Sherrifmuir doublet jacket is usually paired with a very historic and formal lace jabot (and sometimes matching cuffs).

More commonly, a bowtie, cravat or neck tie is worn.  Each can be worn in a silk, tartan, tweed or standard material depending on the event, formality and personal style.

Ghillie Brogues are the traditional shoe choice with kilts and kilt socks.  They have very long laces, that are usually decoratively tied up the lower leg over the sock.  The knot usually sits about 45 degrees from the front of your leg, between the front and the outer side of your leg, though some do tie it at the front.  You can follow a more in depth guide at https://scotlandkiltcollection.com/how-to-tie-ghillie-brogues-a-step-by-step-guide/.  An Oxford brogue is more common for tartan trews and the like.  Kilts are also usually worn specifically with kilt socks, which are long (coming to about the knee and then folded down over the sock flashes) and usually wool.

Kilt flashes are very helpful in keeping kilt socks up.  They are often fastened or elasticated (with the band or elastic hidden by the folded sock), so provide something to prevent socks from rolling down.  Sometimes they match the tartan of the kilt, but they can often also be plain, matching the jacket or the wedding colours.  They are worn on the outer side of the leg to be seen. There are also guides available online to wearing them: https://www.scotlandshop.com/guide/how-to-wear-kilt-flashes.

The sgian dubh (pronounced a bit like "Skee-en doo") is a small, single edged knife (about 3-4 inches) carried in the top of kilt socks on the outer side of the leg - often on the right leg, but this is more to do with right-handedness, so if you're left handed you could wear it on the left.  For safety, some people wear a hilt without a blade glued onto a sheath, or the sgian dubh is glued into the sheath.  This prevents injuries associated with a lot of people carrying around little knives while drunk.  

Historically, a small knife was often worn concealed (sometimes under the armpit) as a last resort or when larger blades were prohibited.  It is also courteous when entering someone's home to reveal any hidden weapons, so it is visible above the sock.

The blade is usually metal such as steel.  The handle can be made of many differnt materials, but is traditionally wood or horn and more recently may also be metal, plastic or leather.  They can be very simple, or decorated with gems, celtic symbols or clan symbols.

Sporrans are leather pouches worn on a metal and/or leather belt around a kilt.  The belt is usually worn loose to allow the sporran to hang a little lower and avoid restricting movement.  There are different types of sporrans, corresponding to levels of formality.  However, in modern day it is often acceptable to wear the type of sporran you prefer, rather than matching the formality.  A day sporran is the least formal option.  It is usually relatively plain and made of plain leather, though designs are often embossed into the leather.  These may have no embellishments, or plain leather tassels. 

Full dress sporrans are more suitable for formal affairs such as weddings.  These are often made from fur with a leather back, and include 3-6 fur tassels.  They also have a metal cantle (the decorative top) made of silver or pewter, which is often embellished with Celtic or clan symbols.

Semi-dress sporans sit somewhere between day sporrans and full dress sporrans. These are usually made of leather with a fur front, with 3 tassels.  They close over like day sporrans with a leather flap.

Kilt belts are often much bigger and more cumbersome than your every day belt with a large silver or pewter buckle.  Many choose not to wear one for that reason (think wrestler champion belt). They are often made of leather, sometimes embossed.  The silver or pewter buckle is usually quite large, and commonly rectangular in shape.  They may depict clan or Celtic symbols.  These are usually worn with an Argyll jacket, and usually if you are not wearing a waistcoat (though the image below shows that you can do both if you choose). It's worth noting that belt loops on a kilt are actually for the sporran, so don't worry that the belt doesn't fit through them, it's not supposed to.

Cummerbunds are more commonly worn with suits and trousers, but allow you to include a bit of tartan in your outfit if you're not wearing a kilt or tartan trews.

Sashes allow for people to show their tartan when they are not wearing a kilt - particularly for those who wear dresses.  These can be draped over the shoulder and fastened at the opposite hip with a brooch, or wrapped around the waist like a belt with the ends draping down one side, fastened again with a brooch at the waist.  It can also be draped over the shoulder and under the opposite arm, sitting higher on the body.  These are pinned with a brooch at the shoulder.

There are also mini rosette sashes that are commonly pinned to one shoulder and flow over the back.

They can all be made from thick, good quality tartan, or lighter fabric.  They are typically fastened by a broach, similar to kilt pins and brooches for fly plaids.  They often depict Celtic or clan symbols.

Sashes are traditionally worn over the right shoulder (unless you're the Chief's wife).

Tartan can also be incorporated into outfits through various accessories, such as shawls, bags, shoes or hair bands, bows and ties.  Again, these can showcase family tartans or a tartan you identify with or like, and can be of very high quality wool and fringed.

Thistles are often incorporated for those who are wearing buttonholes or corsages, or sometimes into the decorations on brooches, kilt pins, belt buckles, sgian dubhs and sporrans.