Kilt Rental Packages

These are the ancestors who created and wore this unique clothing first! Tartans are first mentioned in official records from 1538, but it’s likely Scots were wearing them prior to that date. Kilts derived from the robes and garments worn by the varying Scandinavian invaders that swept through Scotland in the early centuries. Even the word kilt comes from the old Scandinavian word kjalta.

The great kilt is also known as the belted plaid or the feileadh mhor. Covering both the wearer’s top and bottom, the garment’s height is twice the width of the weaver’s loom. A double length tartan is cut in even lengths and sewn side to side. The top portion can be worn over the shoulders, with pockets made from tucks along the belt. The lower portion is pleated around the waist.

An Ancient Kilt is similar, but only single width height rather than double width, with extra length below which is worn up over the shoulder.

The little kilt, small kilt, or feileadh beag is simply the bottom portion of the great kilt, a single length tartan plaid, with permanent pleats. The more traditional great kilt it should be noted is folded into pleats with each wear.

The little kilt has been in use since the 1730s. Thomas Rawlinson, an Englishman who managed an ironworks in Argyll, is credited with its invention. The story goes that he didn’t like the top kilt when it became wet. Since he couldn’t take the top half off without the bottom, he had them separated.

Modern Kilts descend from the little kilt and come in formal, casual, or sport / hiking or utility and cargo styles.

Whether great or small, kilts were traditionally woven from wool. Nowadays, they come in a number of materials! You can find them in acrylic, canvas, wool and wool blends.

If you’re new to kilts and how they’re worn, you probably need a little guidance regarding the tartan kind and color.

If you have Scottish ancestors or are from Scotland, you probably know that each family has a tartan unique to the clan.

The origins of the Scottish tartan can be traced back to the fifth century, with different designs being used to identify locals of various regions. It was in the nineteenth century that tartans took on a clan driven design.  Each design carries its own significance.  It’s estimated that there are roughly 7,000 different tartans available. The Scottish parliament created a register to record each tartan in 2009.

You can, however, also choose a tartan based on your personal preferences or to match the theme of the event you’re attending.  This may be a common approach for matching groomsmen.

Next, you should decide on the kilt’s fabric weight. Average fabric weight for a kilt is 16-17oz, with the heaviest reaching up to 19oz.

Kilts can be worn on their own, but if you’re going for the traditional Scottish look, you should also pair it with matching accessories- Shirt and Jacket, a pocket Sporran, kilt pin or brooch, shoes and socks or hose.

Up top and depending upon the occasion, you can choose from the following jacket types:
•    Braemar and Argyll jacket (for any occasion)
•    Prince Charlie (for very formal occasions like weddings, balls, dinners or graduations)
•    Regulation and Kenmore doublet (for formal occasions)
•    Sherrifmuir and Montrose jacket (for formal occasions)
•    Tweed Braemar jacket (for everyday, casual occasions)

So for example, you should wear the Prince Charlie jacket with a black bow tie, a white, black or pleat front shirt, and cufflinks. It goes with tartan, white or black hose and a three-button waistcoat.

As the Argyll and Braemar jackets are suitable for any occasion, you can wear them with a tartan or plain tie. A waistcoat is optional. The jackets are best paired with a black or white front shirt and off-white, black or tartan hose.

The Regulation, Kenmore, Sherrifmuir and Montrose jackets are formalwear often combined with a granddad collar, ruche cravat or a spread bat wing.

Finally, the Tweed Braemar jacket is more casual, so you can wear them with any cravat, a similar-colored hose, and a casual sporran. However, you shouldn’t wear off-white hose with a Tweed Braemar.

Below your jacket, a traditional Highlander Jacobite or Ghillie shirt is worn.

Many people also carry the traditional Scottish single-edged knife known as sgian dubh at around one-inch visibility.

The word “sporran” derives from the Gaelic word for purse or pouch. The sporran was worn around the waist, acting as anything from a wallet to a pocket, this storage pouch is a must have accessory.

The birth of sporrans was dated back to around the 14th century. Originally they were made from leather, deerskin, or calfskin. The design was rather simple, including tasseled drawstrings.

Fast forward to late 17th and early 18th century, sporrans underwent a period of modification. Metal clasps, mostly made of brass, and other adornments were introduced. Silver clasps were rarer and mainly used for sporrans belonging to men in higher ranks, such as clan chiefs.

As the details of those metal clasps became more intricate and were considered as works of art, people started wearing it at the front of the kilt instead of around the hip.

The Scottish military then started making fur sporrans that used a selection of animal skin coverings. These are the sporrans that resemble the ones we see today.

These are the most casual type of sporran. It’s ideal for your most informal kilt outfits. Wear them when you go to a pub or attend a casual lunch event. Usually made from leather, the day sporran consists of a leather flap, front, and three tassels.

As the name suggests, these are worn with tweed or Argyll outfits for semi-formal events. Typically made with a fur covering, 3 fur tassels, and leather gusset, semi-dress sporrans have a more luxurious feel and are versatile.

These are the most formal type of sporrans, usually worn with Prince Charlie outfits. Due to the formality, full dress sporrans often embody distinctive looks and styles, ones you don’t see in the day sporrans.

Full dress sporrans always come with a fur front and gusset, a metal cantle at the top, and around 3 to 6 decorated fur tassels with regular or cross-chains. The cantle features detailed Celtic knotwork or Scottish symbol designs and is made from pewter or silver.

Please contact us if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about our Kilts. We love to hear from people about our products and website. Please let us know if you ever have problems getting on to the site or ordering from it.