How Much Does It Cost to Wear the Kilt?

[@colinp2238]

When a Portuguese friend first saw me in my kilt he asked if he could get one and how much. When I told him how much the outfit I was wearing he went off the idea. I told him that he didn't have to outlay that much in one go ( I didn't) but to start slowly, he asked me to go with him to a shop in London, so he could get a better idea. We went and now a few years along the line he has 3 different outfits that he is proud of.

[@maximilianolimamoreira5002]

great, i personally would buy two kilts, with the interval of some time, and then buy some bonnets to wear with them

[@maxwellfan55]

@@maximilianolimamoreira5002 I agree. Bonnets are the NEXT essential esp if you are bald, even if not they complete the proper look.

[@scottw1174]

My first kilt was a utilikilt i bought more than 15 years ago at IML, my first traditional kilt was in 2012 in Edinburgh, the full outfit was 500 pounds, now im up to ten kilts, 3 sporans,an Argyll jacket and vest along with a prince charlie jacket and vest

[@PushkaCom]

I bought $300 worth of wool tartan and made a kilt myself - wearing it since 2017 sometimes every day, hiking, climbing mountains~🔥🧡

[@chrisjustus5446]

I JUST CAN'T EXPRESS TO Y'ALL HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THE VIDEOS THAT Y'ALL PUT OUT.

[@maxwellfan55]

The Three Essentials. 1. Get a proper 8 yard wool kilt (med or heavy weight) your exact size, waist-hip-length. If you haven't got the money, buy used or save/sell something-don't compromise-it's the main thing. 2. Plain leather day-sporran (pref brown to match your shoes-black is more formal). You HAVE to have somewhere to put your wallet/keys/phone. 3. Kilt hose (or long plain socks) colour compatible to kilt.

[@rickmoore3730]

I just bought my first brown sporran ( Highland Coo semi dress ) and belt but still wear black shoes . In portraits it is shown they didn;t always match leather colours although i would not mix sporran / belt colours . To me black shoes and brown sporran or vice versa looks fine .

[@maxwellfan55]

@@rickmoore3730 Colour matching leather isn't always essential, but it looks a lot better. Remember brown shoes/brogues are appropriate for town and country daywear, black for city and formal (eg. funerals/weddings/corporate events/evening wear). For example. Don't go to a funeral in brown shoes (although I see some now go to funerals in trainers and jogging pants-really!)

[@rickmoore3730]

@@maxwellfan55 The mis match leather comment was for day wear only . I was just at a funeral on Friday and wore a sudued tartan and tie white shirt and black everything else . And yes...there where people there in track pants ! To me that is almost disrespectful but I am not young either so... lastly your comment that matched leather looks better . Yes I agree but as long as the attire combo doesn't look too outlandish I have gotten more relaxed about perfect matching .It definitely is how each person sees it and feels comfortable wearing . And I have said it before....that is what I like about highland wear . We have a lot more options than blue jeans and T shirts can offer or suits for that matter . .

[@maxwellfan55]

@@rickmoore3730 Hi Rick. I go to a lot of funerals ( as a performing piper) and believe me, some of the things I see people wear nowadays....like they just got out of bed! The last one was to see even the principal funeral director in filthy shoes! One of the most reassuring things about highland wear (when worn correctly) is that it remains one of the last and most enduring sartorial expressions for men to look magnificent. And get told so. Glad you wore tartan to that funeral, that definitely shows respect. Was it acknowledged?

[@rickmoore3730]

@@maxwellfan55 I do get a lot of compliments from people and from the place I get my kilts made . She has told me several times I wear my kilts well . Because of the Covid restrictions the funeral service was held graveside and everyone was well apart with masks so there was not much mingling . I wanted to look smart but not draw too much attention anyway. I would love to play the pipes but sadly am not a musical guy . I do have my uncles kilt pin on my MacGregor kilt as he was a piper ( in the RCAF pipe band ) and a proud McGregor . I told my cousin the other day I wish we could have posed together in our MacGregor kilts . And to say I absolutlely love my kilts would be an understatement .

[@canuckdefender]

I agree with Eric, I'm just starting out and I went with the semi dress. I'm already married and I don't see any black tie functions in my future! I do wish I was closer to USA KIlts though, I would like to support them for all the help that they provide to everyone! (Damn borders)

[@rickmoore3730]

I feel the same and have bought a sporran , other accesories and a lot of their kilt hangers . They are the best for kilt storrage and look nice as well .

[@mikepercival7424]

If you don't mind me asking, where in Canada did you get your kilt?

[@canuckdefender]

@@mikepercival7424 I actually ordered mine from the Welsh Tartan Centre but have dealt with Burnetts and Struth in Barrie and they were great!

[@stjtiger1]

UT Kilts is a great US based company for kilters on a budget. I've gotten a few things from there and haven't been disappointed yet.

[@Themoleman66]

100% that's where i got my start. Now waiting on 2 from USA Kilts

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

There's always the option to finance via affirm, PayPal, credit card etc. With any purchase you want to be within your means and not overextended yourself.

[@timothysmith6211]

as soon as christmas is over I am selling plasma for my first kilt.

[@glennewell8108]

Hay Rocky, Glenn here, I mentioned to you folks at USA kilts about your videos, and how some people who cannot hear. But understand sign language. And it would be a good idea if you could find somebody who does do sign language, and incorporate that in with your videos. I know of folks who are deaf, and they keep asking me about it. And to relay the message to you. These are folks that are deaf, and kilts wearers. It is definitely food for thought Rocky, and it's something that you might want to consider. Because your company reaches out to a lot of people, and especially those who are deaf.

[@usakilts]

Tell them to check out our Facebook page! We transcribe all of our videos on FB. 😁

[@pat1589]

Hi guys. Great channel you have here. I've played in a pipe band in New Zealand since 1984. Our pipers wear royal Stewart, us drummers black watch. Last week I went into a New Zealand highland store and got myself measured (to be made in scotland). I've gone with modern menzies tartan, argyll waist coat and jacket, and all accessories. I've liked this tartan since '83 when I first saw it on an album cover.

[@procall28remedy]

I run EMS on the weekends as a second job. It takes me 4 shifts to get a Kilt and Sporan. Side gigs can add up.

[@Themoleman66]

I think im with Eric on this one.

[@reynardthefox]

Yelling Small Batch...an excellent Irish Whiskey . Cheers !

[@guthriesmith3452]

Wished I seen those video a year ago when I got my kilt for a wedding. Wanting to complete the basic kit as mentioned in the video for a 5k race party outfit. Thanks for the information

[@traviswhitworth6265]

I am working on getting my first kilt. I'm leaning towards the semi-traditional. I may eventually get the casual as well, but I'm just not sure I would like the velcro vs. the leather straps/buckles. I'm leaning toward the black (maybe brown, or the black & brown) embossed...I really like the viking sporran you all have. I realize that it's considered a day sporran, but I just love the simplicity of it. It's not just plain leather (which looks nice too). The embossing, in my eyes, nocks it up a level from just a regular day sporran. Admittedly, when I do get my kilt, I will mostly be wearing it at work (elementary school teacher - I'm sure the kids will love it!) on Fridays when everyone is is dressing down. I do not consider this a dress down, but I would certainly prefer to wear a kilt over jeans any day! Who knows, I may eventually get enough kilts to wear them to work daily. I have zero experience wearing a kilt anywhere, and you may think I'm a fool, but I would have no problem wearing the viking embossed sporran to a dress-up occasion. This is coming from someone who generally wears a shirt and tie without a jacket to weddings. To me, the embossed leather looks fancy and formal! It doesn't have all the metal and bling that many formals have, but I think they look amazing! Honestly, The craftsmanship and designs on the formal sporrans look exquisite but I don't like their appearance nearly as much as I do the embossed day sporrans. I rarely have formal occasions to attend that would make owning a formal sporran worthwhile either. I can count on one hand the number of formal events I have attended in the past 20 years. It also seems that formal is becoming less and less of a thing...at least with the people and family that I'm associated with. I'm currently about 173 lbs. and am working towards a goal of about 155 lbs. Once I'm a lot closer to my target weight, I plan to order a USA kilt...This weight cannot come off fast enough.

[@NeoComicus]

My kilt came from an independent maker, using plaid from Scotland, made to measure, for around $170. Just the kilt. Great quality, had it for 6 or 7 years and still wonderful (my wife's clan - I have the DNA, but no idea from where). The rest I've collected as I've been able afford it, and it's worked out well. Take your time and you'll do well.

[@jim.in.louisiana]

Check out an Eton jacket with a tuxedo shirtfor a economical formal look.

[@colinp2238]

I don't think that joe Public would know the difference between a sporran, and would be suitably impressed so I agree with Eric that a semi-dress sporran would cover 90% of events but I also think that a day sporran would also so I suppose that I agree with both cases. Personally I think that full dress sporrans are excessive except for bands and military uses.

[@maxwellfan55]

Colin, it doesn't matter about Joe Public's ignorance, when you're kilted you have to do it correctly, even if you are on a budget. You don't want your confidence ruined by wearing things wrong or out of place. Regards sporrans, they are practical items to store essentials, so if it's the only one you have, make do with a plain leather day sporran for just about anything.

[@OldDunollieman]

Evidently you are not familiar with the protocol involved i wearing a kilt , a full dress sporran is NOT excessive. If you ever lived in the W coast of Scotland you'd realize why you are wrong.

[@colinp2238]

@@OldDunollieman I'm from Inverness, not the west cosat but still Scotland and I am entitled to an opinion.

[@maxwellfan55]

@@colinp2238 I think it appropriate to have a dress sporran for formal/semi formal events but I thoroughly agree it is by no means essential, particularly for those on a budget. Personally I do not like semi-dress sporrans, I regard them as being neither here or there, but I respect your opinion. Mine remains that a practical and well made day-wear sporran ticks all boxes, and that full dress versions are desirable but not essential. It is the semi-dress sporran I find excessive, impractical, and quite unnecessary.

[@Fire-Bound]

Just ordered my kilt and I can’t wait for it!

[@maximilianolimamoreira5002]

👍🏻

[@colinp2238]

@@maximilianolimamoreira5002 Hi Max, how are you doing?

[@maximilianolimamoreira5002]

@@colinp2238 well, i slept late yesterday, so I'm not that much motivate to do some things, sometimes i fear vomiting while i sleep, when i eat a lot

[@cptpapa]

Thanks Eric. You made good points.

[@neilfitzgibbons6560]

If you can do a simple box pleat, you could stitch yer oon wee kilt - about 3 yards, you might get 2 out of it depending on waist size.

[@douglasfrank9323]

I appreciate the logic applied to dress vs. semi-dress sporran. I think the same could be applied to whether to invest in dress jacket and vest or smart daywear. I am I think older than you both being in my early 60's and I would opt for smart daywear over formal dress. Thinking that since formal dress events are less common smart daywear will cover more events. For the rare times I need formal dress I would rent the jacket, vest, etc.

[@traviswhitworth6265]

While I'm younger than you (46), I completely agree with you. Even if it means wearing standard formal wear that most of us already have, you will get a lot more use out of the smart daywear. Of course, I'm one that would consider myself (or anyone else for that matter) dressed in smart daywear at a wedding completely acceptable. Maybe less so if I were to be a groomsman...but honestly, the circle of friends and family I run with would be fine and not offended in the least if I wore a smart daywear kilt even if I were in the wedding.

[@maxwellfan55]

@@traviswhitworth6265 I agree with the last two comments. Smart daywear (jacket, vest, kilt+bonnet!) is the most versatile and perfectly acceptable for almost any occasion. Certainly weddings where it is normal anyway.

[@rickmoore3730]

Regarding sporrans my first was a plain black day and second was a black semi dress . I have nine sporrans in total now ( 2 full dress ) 2 day sporrans and five semi dress but two of the semi's have all leather tassels ( not hung by chain ) . I use these as high end day sporrans . I agree with Eric . The full dress is not that usefull most of the time . There are now semi dress sporrans ( like I have ) that cross between day and semi function. Most importantly spend time deciding what you like most for yourself and for what functions you will be using them for . Also I wore kilts for a year before I bought my first belt . I would put kilt hose as a necessity before a belt.....and I wear a belt all the time now .

[@brucebeauvais1324]

If the kilt is sized properly, one does not need a belt.

[@rickmoore3730]

@@brucebeauvais1324 Agreed . It is impossible for my kilts to slip down . I wear them to " trim off " the top part of the kilt . It serves no function .

[@OldNavajoTricks]

30 quid for my first util, 40 the second, and £10 for 4m of purple tartan. And the OH bought me an Kilt society kilt from Edinburgh for Christmas yay! I don't do sporrans, brogues, hose or brooches/pins, It's as cheap as you want it or as expensive as you can afford.

[@traviswhitworth6265]

I working on losing 15-20 lbs. before getting my first kilt. When I do, I have no concerns about most of the accessories. My main focus is on the kilt (leaning towards semi-traditional from USA Kilts), a sporran (embossed viking) because I will need my wallet and phone on me, and maybe a belt? I don't care much about the hose, flashes, or brogues, etc. I plan to dress casual and will be wearing sneakers with low cut socks, and t-shirts or polos (at work).

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@traviswhitworth6265 Aah, I'm a boot man, I wouldn't wear trainers with a kilt but nor would I tell anyone else not to :-) Thumbs up on the weight work, I hope it goes well for you man, My wallet, baccy and lighter get tucked into my waist between the under and apron, my belt acts as the pocket 'bottom' so nothing falls through, my phone lives in my cutoff as it's an old tab4 and is far too big for a pocket.

[@traviswhitworth6265]

@@OldNavajoTricks I generally have to wear trainers (zero lift - altra's) because I get plantar fasciitis. When I get that, it feels like my foot is broken and is unbearable to walk on it. The trainers have helped to keep it from happening as often.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@traviswhitworth6265 No worries, medical needs come before aesthetics dude, be well before being 'cool' :-p

[@traviswhitworth6265]

@@OldNavajoTricks Right on man! :)

[@Time_Lord_Council]

I'd like to become a serial kilter, but I can't afford to shell out $200-300 per kilt. Currently I only own one cheap kilt, and I'm looking to buy at least a couple more for some variety, but I get really frustrated with the amount of time it takes to keep the cost manageable. I suppose I should also hold off on kilts themselves and invest in a tweed and eventually a PC... Not to mention a formal sporran if I'm ever planning on going to a black tie event kilted. This is such an expensive hobby lol.

[@kiltedbroshar4187]

I'm a serial kilter and proud of it. I haven't worn pants for over 2yrs. And I walk 2 miles to work even when its negative temperatures. 🤣🤣

[@bobbafett1971]

I wish I could be a serial kilter. I have 2 and can go from day to formal. Unfortunately owning a food cart and cooking doesn't make a good match.

[@haydenr5128]

Where can I find a black belt buckle like that?

[@1goofeygirl]

Isn’t the wool itchy? I’ve sensitive skin that can itch from grassy lawns, some polyesters, synthetics and wools; what can I wear in McDonald Clan wrap, for instance? Thank You!

[@thex13thxchild]

That a Campbell of Cawdor tartan on the left?

[@ajferguson8510]

I just got 3 utility kilts and wear tall snake bite boots with them. Personally I do have scottish ancestors but I'm wearing them for comfort and I just plain like them. I dont do formal ever seriously I don't even own a tie period and fine and happy keeping it that way lol.

[@markphillips9621]

I have a second question. I am thinking of wearing a kilt to church. I am thinking shirt,tie, vest, coat, kilt, belt, sporen, socks, what would I be looking to spend.

[@ryuukake]

You can make flashes yourself fairly easily with some cheep cut off from Joan's, an exacto knife some elastic, and a needle and thread, are they going to look super nice? probably not if your not experienced in sewing, and you won't be getting good cloth from the cutoff bin. Will they be sturdy? Again, experience. Will they be easy to adjust? Nope Will they look good enough for casual wear while you work on your kit. Yes. Haunt thriftstores, You can find some nice shoes that will look good with a kilt for under $10, you might find broach that works for a kilt pin, (Or a literal kilt pin I found one) you can even find nicer material to make flashes, but I'm crafty and know what to look for there.

[@d.robnicholl2588]

Question: I live in Canada, is it ok to wear pants under your kilt at -30c or do you just not wear the kilt?

[@VerlynH]

Gotta go with Eric on this.

[@timmycook6708]

I'm saving up for my next kilt outfit, its gunna be about $700 unless I want a tweed jacket as well, then it'll be $1000. It's worth every penny.

[@scottybeegood]

The cost of not having the kilt is much greater.

[@mrsilly6155]

Thank god for that split screen or I think they'd have come to blows 😄

[@reynardthefox]

PS.I hate auto-correct Teeling

[@roaddog1m]

I would say that quality vs. Cost is not the same as jeans. A pair of jeans can be very expensive and not of a real quality material. Usually not the case with a kilt.

[@gilbertfergusson844]

What neck tie knot should be worn Windsor seem either German or English not Scottish

[@gilbertmoyes2918]

Remember you get what you paid for. A quality Kilt will last a lifetime.

[@kiltedbroshar4187]

Oh and the struggle is real.

[@chrisjustus5446]

IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE WAY THAT SMALL YARDAGE OF CLAN/ FAMILY TARTANS FOR ONE TO SAY THREE KILTS PRICES BE CUT SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THE AVERAGE INCOME MAN?

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Look into how plaids are put together/worn, and how kilts are sewn, you may find that you feel comfortable buying a few metres of the fabric and learning to wear as a plaid, or you may feel comfortable stitching the pleats in over time then removing excess and possibly putting a lining in at the inside of the belt section. Utility kilts are a cheap route in as well, see if you enjoy kilt life before spending a lot that you don't have to spare?

[@chrisjustus5446]

FROM MY EXPERIENCE , IF ONE ATTENDS A HIGHLAND GAMES FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEY CAN POSSIBLY GET HOOKED ON HOW COOL KILT WEARING IS, JUST DUE TO THE EXPOSURE.

[@omstout]

Gentlemen, etiquette states that it is not possible to over dress for a public occasion. More recent times have led to a curb in men's dress from the more flamboyant to more subdued and nothing says "class" as well as "simple elegance."

[@8fox261]

I've spent roughly $7000 to $8000 on all my Scottish accoutrements. All that Highland attire does not come cheap.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Inversely, I'd say the sgian and a pin are the only necessary 'accessories', sgian because well, a man always has a knife to hand anyway and the pin because aprons and wind enjoy each others company far too much haha!

[@isaacezekiel941]

I read this as serial killer

[@straycat1674]

Let’s be honest here. The quality of jeans has gone down. When I was a kid as long as it grow out of them, specifically my teenage years, I would have jeans for years. I still have some in storage that I just outgrew that are over 15 years old. Modern jeans, they were out in less than a year.

[@ophyjgjhnfn]

This has been massively frustrating to me. Gotta go with twill tactical 5.11 TDUs now.

[@timothycook337]

Gen Z wedding? We're already getting married?

[@davidcunningham00]

I vote semi dress

[@markphillips9621]

Would you wear a kilt the church?

[@redscale82]

My sporran is worth more than my kilt😅

[@brumm0m3ntum94]

neesh, not nitch