T-Shirts with Kilts - How Do You Make Them Look Good? Can You Untuck?

In the summer, a lot of our standards for sharp dressing can just melt in the heat. Do you have to "suffer for art" if you are a kilted gent? Or can you relax a bit to be comfortable?
And so what about t-shirts? Can you look good in a t-shirt and kilt? Is it okay to leave your shirt untucked or is that against Highland Dress "standards"?
In this clip, the lads comment on how to decide. As always, we feel it comes down to context - where you are going, what you are doing and who you are with. Common sense can go a long way, and simpler is better.
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[@kiltedbill7594]

BEFORE I STARTED WEARING KILTS I WOULD NEVER TUCK IN SHIRTS, NOW WITH WEARING KILTS I ALWAYS TUCK IN MY SHIRT. IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT TO KILT UP WITHOUT TUCKING IN THE SHIRT.

[@jackalnerf6230]

Yooo my man has his NonBinary pride tie on! ✊

[@americanscout9417]

Can we post pictures on this? I’ll wear my kilt with a T-shirt and my clan name on the front looks awesome. Also I’ve been to a few tartan days in the south and we wear T-shirts with our clan names on them. But yes they are tucked in.

[@thomaspatton4401]

I always tuck in regardless of the shirt. I just feel like a slob if I don't. When I was little, Dad always said; "Tuck in your shirt Tommy we are not vagrants!" I guess it had an impact on me. Many others don't tuck in and in my opinion, they look sloppy and they are. It's like they couldn't be bothered to finish getting dressed. One guy asked me why I tuck my shirt in and I told him I just don't feel right leaving it out. I was trying to be nice. I cold have just quoted my Dad and said "I am not a vagrant" and walked away. Then he asked me if "I thought I was better than him." I wanted to tell him yes just to piss him off because I knew when he asked me that, he was looking for trouble. Kind of made me sorry I tried to be nice before. Instead I just bit my tongue, took the high road and told him "No, just better dressed!"

[@darrellhendrix5502]

Just tuck your shirt in like a grown up.🙂

[@scottishjamie1267]

There is no absolute law on kilts unless you're in the army, it's like malt whisky you've paid for it, so do whatever the hell you like with it, I wore one for years in the army and never felt comfortable now when I go busking round scotland playing the pipes I wear a t-shirt untucked trainers n sporran, feel casual n comfy, it's my kilt ill wear it how I want to! I feel like a bird that's been let out its cage when I see other pipers busking in the sun looking like they've stepped out a shortbread tin sweating their tits off then not lasting long an no enjoying it like they should, I can play, drive somewhere else jump in the loch, quick dry t-shirt back on pipes oot!! Also have a look at the tartan army when we go to Scotland games, scotland football top kilt n boots as standard! Slàinte mhath! ✌😎☮❤🎵🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BrettLeMans]

"French-Tuck" - tucked in the front, but draping off the back/sides...same with a sweater.

[@danielrickel8807]

I always tuck it looks far better.

[@robertguthrie1894]

I always wear any shirt tucked in its just the way I was brought up

[@TheKiltedAdventurer]

I wear t-shirts with mine frequently, always tucked in however.

[@RocketboyX]

untucked shirts with a kilt makes a kilt look like a skirt.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@RocketboyX if it's done up yes but unbuttoned works if you've the bod for it :-D

[@la_old_salt2241]

​@@OldNavajoTricks But most have dad bods, not Fabio bods.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@la_old_salt2241 haha true, but it's on the individual to know what they 😀 'Can' and can't get away with fasionwise imo.

[@royhurley7572]

I wear a kilt as a functional garment, as it was originally. It is not a uniform, despite the appropriation by the British Empire.

[@dadainthip]

Perfect timing! Ordering my first kilt shortly and have been wondering about t-shirts

[@AliG-fd2ho]

As a Scot, I'm loving your attention to detail!

[@RodFleming-World]

Don't ask me why, but I had completely the wrong impression when you said 'tucked'! Anyway, you just wear it as you like it. At formal occasions there's usually a dress code, but other than that, relax. The only rule is for goodness' sake, the pleats go to the BACK.

[@kashishimotohoward]

I'd been dreadfully self conscious about my weight, so before I got a belt, I did go untucked for a few years. my belly made me not want to tuck.... EVER!

[@douglasfrank9323]

I always tuck my shirt and sweaters untucked.

[@faysik]

I cannot do untucked T with my kilt. Just cant. Edited** After finishing the vid 🤣🤣 i agree with everything said. I do wear graphics with my solid black kilt. But like mentioned if the graphic dips below the belt its a no.

[@genesmith6512]

T-shirts are great. But rule of thumb, always, that is always, tuck one's shirt in. Any kilt or pant that fits true waist should be tucked in.

[@goody287]

I have untucked only because my edc doesn't fit in a sporran.

[@lowellirish]

Tucked, and not agarish or offensive tshirt. IMO. A subdued, complimentary tshirt. We just had a VERY argumentative thread in my Scottish FB group regarding Jacobite shirts not being "appropriate attire" and "suitable only for renaissance" ...it wasnt "historically based" etc... Thoughts??

[@TOWAINUS]

I agree that the so-called "Jacobite shirts are best left for RennFair costumes along with Great Kilts, huge bonnets, and costume weaponry.

[@lowellirish]

@@TOWAINUS well...I disagree. I like a Great Kilt. The problem is..its $$$ The ostrich plume heats, leopard drape, etc. is TRADITIONAL band wear. My dad wore them...sooooo?? Also, my GGrandfather...soooo...and they never went to "renfaires". Maybe you need more info??

[@ThornForTheWynn]

​@@lowellirish I know I'm late, but they were correct. Jacobite shirts are not historically accurate for the time period.

[@maxwellfan55]

Yea, tuck it in. But if you've the figure, i.e. flat enviable belly, and if warm enough, no top at all. Nothing looks better than a kilt falling gracefully from the hip.

[@timothycampbell495]

Never an untucked T-shirt. And a T-shirt only with high-rise hiking/combat/tactical boots.

[@russellcurtis2501]

What are your thoughts about kilt pins? How much, let's say creativity is acceptable? I have retired from the U.S. Army and wear my combat service pin as a kilt pin.

[@la_old_salt2241]

Go for it.

[@jackalnerf6230]

I wear tshirts with my utility kilt alll the time, I don’t see how it’s uncomfortable to tuck it in lol

[@kinglyzard]

I see nothing wrong with a plain tee if tucked in, and the rest of the attire is as casual. I've even seen tank tops that look good with kilts, as long as they're solid colored and tucked in. I kinda draw the line at sandals, unless at the beach.

[@quick2angerslammer]

Polo shirt only, tucked in

[@EvergreenA3_KCHS]

So the guy wearing a pocket watch in his vest wouldn't wear a t-shirt untucked. I would never have guessed... ;)

[@taz4470]

A utility kilt I would leave a Tshirt untucked but a more traditional kilt I feel the shirts should always be tucked in.

[@gcanaday1]

You don't untuck the button-down. T shirt, turtleneck, sweater, sporran or no, you can. A t doesnt have to look sloppy. If you tuck your band tshirts, you're an oddball.

[@richardcline7409]

I always tuck my shirt, even in jeans

[@kitse_xiii8334]

Oh look, the person on the left has a tie with the colors of the nonbinary flag!

[@kitse_xiii8334]

On the right, excuse me, it's still really early lol

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Haha no, he is on the left, but stage left not audience left :-p

[@fph2060]

I live in the Scottish highlands, I love our culture and I’m sad it’s getting left behind a lot, I’ve just bought a kilt, I’m gonna start wearing it on general occasions, also with traditional clothing

[@kiltedpatriotatheart]

I think it looks better with your shirt tucked in. Besides, pleats are partially hidden if your shirt's long enough.

[@crocketgsxr6]

untucked t-shirt and utility kilt....because utility kilts have no rules. "if you wouldn't tuck it with pants you wouldn't tuck it with a kilt".....well that is also a t-shirt soooooooo? anything is fair game

[@marcosross790]

Jolly good show.

[@callummackenzie5207]

As a proud Scotsman, rugby shirts should be untucked

[@kurtisbennett7272]

I know I'm late to the video, but any thoughts on this regarding utility kilts? As utility kilts tend to be more of a functional garment I understand there isn't as much of a traditional bind to them

[@melbeasley9762]

I wear it untucked with a utility kilt as I don't wear a sporran with it. T shirts with designs can be worn that way. I don't yet wear T Shirts with a traditional kilt, but if I did it would be a solid colour.

[@kiltedpatriotatheart]

Erik said printed shirts are a maybe. What about a t-shirt with your clan crest? I do that almost every time I wear my kilt.

[@c.w.6318]

I'm a masterful painter, and know that technology's boundaries. I am also a newbie student of Scottishness and kilt wearing. Like the study of painting I think it's important to begin wearing kilts how they were originally meant to be worn with full regalia. For myself, I think it's easy to assemble a formal kilt outfit from head to toe, and sense safety while wearing it. The outcome is predictable, looks smashing, and the more I practice it, the more I will choose to shed it's complexities or not shed them. From what I've seen the "casual kilt" doesn't look good. The hiker boot thing with a t-shirt looks like a bad painting. Ironically, some guys can pull it off, but I don't think new students of the kilt fashion should aim low for casual kilts. I think they should learn to be formal straight out of the gate and shed their way to something less formal.

[@RodFleming-World]

Um that is not how kilts were 'originally worn'. The original was the Great Kilt, which is just a big bolt of tartan plaid rucked and held on by a belt. This would be worn with a linen shirt. The Small Kilt was invented as working apparel, because it is much easier and quicker to put on. This was worn with the same shirts and maybe a smaller plaid if it were particularly cold. It's actually impossible to wear a shirt 'out' with a Great Kilt. The habit of 'full Highland' did not appear until the 19th century, when the Royal Family made a habit of wearing the kilt (which they still do.) Even then, day wear is usually 'hunting' while formal is 'dress'. You can wear what you like. Personally I find boots clunky round the house but great on the hill. YMMV.

[@lancedorval2452]

How about when you are actively competing in strength athletics? I assume that is an exception but it wasn’t mentioned.

[@la_old_salt2241]

I've seen lots of guys competing with their shirts tucked.

[@raymonddavis1370]

T-shirts look dumb with kilts.

[@kinglyzard]

What's the best way to get a Tartan from a specific region? Seeking a kilt representing County Louth, Ireland and perhaps a German Heritage Tartan.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

All my t-shirts and most of my shirts have incidents with a knife when I get them, t-shirt/vests are tucked in always but I will wear a sleeveless shirt undone and untucked like a light jacket type garment.

[@katrose5572]

What tartans are you wearing

[@antoniojose8606]

E bom principalmente pro verão! Pena que aqui no Brasil não é costume só aí no USA na Scotlamd e em alguns países! Tnhank you! 👀👍😀💢

[@eriklarson8322]

Always tuck.

[@timothybryan5113]

My kilt should arrive tomorrow. I can’t wait!

[@MarcelGomesPan]

I dont know. If i want to give off a rock club, ”punky” feeling i can see myself wearing a t-shirt untucked with the kilt for the contrast. The ”sloppiness” of the shirt and maybe Dr Martens with the more strict or disciplined kilt/sporran/hose ( and perhaps flashes ). I usually wear hose though even if i roll them down. To me hose feels more important ( personal taste ). Normal socks feels too...”thin”. I don’t think most people would agree with me on that though. I do think untucked needs to go with a ”rock n’ roll attitude” though. It has to be deliberate. A statement rather than a sloppy accident. A bit like punk rockers sometimes use pieces of uniform with their outfit juxtaposing authority and anarchy if you will. I should probably try it out though. It might work better in my mind than in reality ( i usually wear an army sweater with the kilt so it looks natural untucked with matching green flashes ).

[@devonritchie1899]

I always tuck in my shirt

[@iissamiam]

The question at the end. It’s sloppy, because his shirt is too big and short sleeved. Long sleeves rolled up, a tighter fit, and better posture would make that look better.