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Kilt Accessories

Appropriate kilt accessories is almost as vague as the origins of the kilt itself. One thing is for sure: for as many people you ask regarding proper kilt accessories, you will obtain the same number of differing opinions. .

The good news is that if you are wearing a kilt for your own pleasure, whether formal or casual, it is no different than any other clothing you may wear. You can accessorise it any way you seem fit. So as long as you are not part of any pipe and drum corps, military regiment or other group that has a strict dress code, fell free to wear your kilt and kilt accessories any way you would like. Here we will explain how most of the modern, tailored kilts are accessorised.

Daywear and evening wear

Prince Charlie Jacket - Kilt_AccessoreisTraditionalists insist that unornamented brown leather belts, sporrans, and shoes should be worn for daywear. Black leather and silver ornamentation are reserved for evening wear. A gentleman's Argyll Jacket in tweed or solid color is suitable for daywear for those occasions that would usually require a sports jacket or lounge suit, while an Argyll Jacket in black or a Prince Charlie Jacket (photo at left) are suitable for evening wear.

With some ensembles, a fly plaid is added in the form of a pleated cloth in the same tartan as the kilt, cast over the shoulder and fastened below the shoulder with a plaid brooch. In addition, many kilt wearers have opted for a jacketless approach, especially at hot summer Highland Games gatherings.

Any style of shirt which is quite common at Highland gatherings is the grandfather shirt, or the Jacobite shirt. These are modern reproductions of the older, pre-Culloden style of shirt. These are full cut shirts with an open, lace-up collar and come in at least a small variety of colors.

 

Headgear

At modern Highland gatherings, participants in Highland attire can be seen wearing a wide variety of headgear, or even going without any headgear at all. But there are two types in particular in widespread usage which are most distinctly Scottish, the Balmoral (pictured at right) and the Glengarry. Black Balmoral Kilt Accessories

The Balmoral (named after Balmoral Castle, near Edinburgh, Scotland) is a round, brimless cap, flat on top, with trailing ribbons, and with a ball on top called a toorie. It is often worn with a hackle and a clan crest badge. The Glengarry is another type of cap, somewhat wedge-shaped, longer than wider, creased lengthwise on the top, and with trailing ribbons. It is named after Glengarry valley in Inverness-shire in Scotland.

Both types come in a variety of colors, but black is most usual. And in both cases, there can be "dicing" around the band of the cap. Both styles will also come with a place on the side of the cap for affixing a clan crest badge.

Belts
Kilt Belt

A modern, tailored kilt, with its tapered pleats is generally fastened securely enough with the buckles and straps that are provided. The kilt belt that is worn with such kilts is purely decorative. Typically, they are fairly wide - between 2 - 1/2 and 3 inches, and come in black or brown leather.

Historically, before the advent of the tailored kilt in the late 18th century, some type of belt was necessary in order to secure the kilt, preventing it from falling down. It also provided a handy place from which to hang sword, dirk, or pistols.

SporranSporran_Kilt_Accessories

As a kilt was traditionally manufactured without pockets for carrying such things as car keys or wallet, it is still worn with a type of pouch called a sporran, which is just the Gaelic word for pouch or purse. Sporrans are usually made from either brown or black leather.

Sporrans come in a very wide range of styles, from simple leather sporrans to those with fur fronts or fur-trimmed and faced with silver or some other metal. Often, the kilt wearer will chose a type of sporran depending on the occasion, with the more elaborate ones being considered suitable for evening wear and the others for casual or all-purpose wear.

The older style bag sporrans (often called "Rob Roy" sporrans) are also frequently seen as they tend to be a bit roomier than some of the more modern varieties. The sporran is typically suspended from a sporran belt which is a narrow belt (separate from the kilt belt) made of leather or chain.

This sporran belt is sometimes run through a pair of small loops provided for that purpose on the back of the kilt. Occasionally the sporran is suspended from special leather belt loops which enable the sporran to be hung directly from the kilt belt. This is often done when a chain is used as the chain might otherwise chafe the kilt. It is not unheard of for individuals to sew small pockets on the front of the kilt, underneath the apron, to keep necessities such as wallet or keys in.

Jewelry

Sgian Dubh - kilt accessoriesA small knife called a Sgian Dubh (pictured left) is often worn tucked into the top of the kilt hose which is commonly worn with the kilt. This item has its historical origins as a utility knife. Again, as with most items of traditional Scottish apparel and accessories, they come in a very wide variety, from fairly plain to quite elaborate silver and gem ornamented designs.

A longer knife, called a dirk is sometimes worn hung from the kilt belt. On the front apron of a kilt, near the selvedge and the open, fringed part of the apron, you will often see a kilt pin, often topped with a small decorative clan crest or other similar design. Kilt Pin - kilt accessories

A kilt pin (as seen in the photo at right) is a decorative item meant to be pinned through the outer apron only. It is not heavy enough to prevent the kilt apron from blowing open in a breeze (the third strap on the kilt is designed to control this). It could be pinned through both aprons, but this would result in distorting the proper hang and action of the kilt.

Often, a clan crest badge will be pinned to the right side of the Balmoral or Glengarry hat.

Footwear and Hose

Ghillie Brogues - kilt accessoriesGhillies, or Ghillie Brogues, are a type of shoe with laces along the instep and no tongue. Although now worn for special events, ghillies originated as a shoe that would dry quickly due to the lack of a tongue, and not get stuck in the mud because of their laces above the ankle. Members of pipe bands often wear Ghillie brogues, and many other kilt wearers wear the same type of footgear.

As always, there is a great variety in style, with many kilt wearers relying on black dress shoes or casual footwear. Highland dancers wear a much lighter type of footgear specially adapted to the active requirements of the dancer and called dancing ghillies.

With the historical great kilt (or belted plaid), a type of medieval bag shoe was worn. This was a shoe made from a single piece of leather which was cut to a pattern and folded up and around the foot, being secured with a length of leather. Kilt hose, made of wool or Acrylic or some combination thereof is available in a variety of solid colors so as to match any tartan pattern. They can also be found in diced patterns, or argyle hose.

Almost always, a pair of garter flashes will be worn with kilt hose. Garter Flashes - kilt accessoriesThese consist of colored ribbons attached to elastic bands and are designed to keep the kilt hose from falling down. The ribbons come in an assortment of colors so as to match or complement the tartan colors in the kilt.

Weapons

The use of traditional Scottish weapons as part of Highland dress is common, including the Sgian Dubh (above) worn in a hosetop, and the ceremonial dirk suspended from the waistbelt.

At one time worn as secondary armament by a clansman going into battle, both items are today ornamental and often worn by civilians and soldiers alike, subject to the dress regulations of any organization they may belong to.

Undergarments?

Also While not strictly an "accessory" of Highland or Scottish dress, the subject of underwear has been of long standing interest to observers. To go without underwear is often referred to as "going regimental" or "military practice" and is considered by some to be the traditional practice though there is no evidence of official policy regarding undergarments in military forces that wear the kilt.

Highland dancers and athletes, however, are bound by the nature of their competitions to appropriately and modestly clad themselves.

Please check back with us often when you're shopping for your kilt, kilt package or kilt accessories, and we'll keep you updated with the latest prices, coupons and deals when we find them.


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WikiPedia - Kilts
History of the Irish Kilt
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Albanach.Org - Early History of the Kilt

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