Wearing a Kilt to a Formal Wedding

Our wedding dress code is Creative Formal (Black Tie Optional), so you have options when it comes to your kilt outfit. If your personal style preference leans toward the more formal Black Tie, then your kilt should fit with the traditional black tie eveningwear attire. This follows the Prince Charlie Jacket outfit.

This jacket has the recognisable three buttons down either side of the jacket and is slightly longer at the back.

To complete the look, this jacket should be accompanied with:

1. A three-buttoned waistcoat

2. A plain-coloured (usually white) shirt

3. A black, plain bow tie, or one that matches the colour of the jacket.

With these formal occasions, it’s essential that the colour of the hose (socks) compliment the outfit. Most importantly; these should never be white, though cream is acceptable.

Following on from the hose, men should wear either black brogues or Ghillie brogues (kilt shoes) to perfect the outfit.

The Full Dress Sporran

The formality of your dress tends to be determined by the jacket that you’re wearing. In this case, it’s the Prince Charlie jacket which requires a full dress sporran. The sporran is pouch that functions as a pocket for the kilt. As you would expect, these are the most formal type of sporran, featuring an ovoid body and a metal cantle.

Wearing a Kilt as Semi-formalwear

Because our dress code is Creative Formal (Black-Tie Optional), you may instead choose to go for a slightly less formal look. In this case, wearing an Argyll Jacket would be the way to go. While these look very similar to a normal jacket, they are made specifically for the kilt outfit and should be fitted alongside a five-buttoned waistcoat.

To accompany this jacket and waistcoat combo, you should wear a tie that compliments your tartan.

Black brogues or Ghillie brogues (kilt shoes) will add the perfect finish to your outfit.

The Semi-formal Sporran

While a full dress sporran is required with eveningwear to complete the look, you only need a semi-dress sporran for daytime events. Differentiating themselves from the leather daywear sporran, they have a fur covering on the front body of the sporran.

Kilt Accessories

Formal or not, there are a few accessories that must accompany your kilt wherever you are.

Kilt Flashes

These include Flashes. For those of you that don’t know, flashes are used to hold up the hose (socks), whilst also acting as a decorative piece.

The two strips of tartan which act in a decorative manner should mimic the same tartan used for the kilt. Similarly, given that they act as a supporting role, they are always placed at the top of the socks!

Kilt Pin

A Kilt Pin is a vital accessory for all kilt wear. Being traditionally placed at the bottom of the open fringed corner of the kilt, they subtly add weight to your kilt.

The style of your kilt pin is up to you. While some use it to reflect their clan heritage, with the crest of their clan present within the pin, others use it as a more decorative item, with various designs available to choose from.

Sgian Dubh

As with all kilt outfits the Sgian Dubh (a small single edged knife), should accompany the outfit. For those worrying about carrying a sharp blade along with you, this shouldn’t cause concern, as it's worn within its protective cover!

So how and where do you place the Sgian Dubh? It's placed with the blade downwards on the outside of the leg. To know which leg to choose, you should align it with your dominant hand. It’s also important that only the hilt (handle) pokes out of the sock!

Kilt as formal, eveningwear attire with Prince Charlie Jacket.