Alternatives To Wedding Suits #1 – Kilts

A couple of centuries ago, only a certain type of man would wear a kilt to his own wedding, and understandably that man was Scottish, or at least Celtic. Now, kilts are an increasingly popular example of formal attire and there are even modern types of Kilt like Skilt. It’s even big in Japan, a country with, it must be said a notable lack of any Celtic heritage. So if they can get away with it, then you can too.

Of course, it’s helpful if you have said Celtic roots you can trace back accordingly to find the right sort of tartan that will have your Grandfather weeping into his whisky. But kilt makers are happy to offer a general choice of different tartans, as well as a collection that are noted as ‘universal tartans‘ specific to nobody, for politically-correct kilt wearers. After all, the last thing you want on the happiest day of your life is a tribal battle breaking out on the dancefloor.

Why wear a Kilt?

Why did our ancestors make the kilt the national dress of Scotland in the first place? Well, for starters, it’s warm because it’s thickly woven, which also means it was waterproof ahead of its time. Also, by virtue of it’s, ahem, freeform design, a kilt is undoubtedly a more comfortable option than these restrictive new fangled trousers.

You’re also offered the opportunity of a sporran, which is the small, leather, fasten-around purse that wearers-of-kilts wouldn’t want to be seen dead without, unless whoever had slain them on the battlefield had just stolen it from their corpse. Modern tailored kilts offer the opportunity for pockets, but if you’re going to wear a kilt you should do it properly.

So, I’m wearing the kilt, what now?

Woah, slow down there William Wallace! Find a secluded spot and slip it off, we need to readjust! There are no definite kilt ‘rules’, but it’s widely agreed that the kilt should measure to fit off your waist, rather than below your ribs. White socks are also discouraged.

Celebrity kilt wearing has been a mixed bag, with particularly ill-advised attempts by Richard Branson, and perhaps more strangely, Sir Sean Connery, who once made the rookie mistake of mixing a tartan tie with his kilt. A bowtie is more appropriate, and you should never mix tartan with tartan, if you do terrible things involving Zuul and inter-dimensional gateways tend to happen (or you’ll get some quiet tutting, either or).

Kilt Pros

• It’s a kilt!
• No, really, it’s a distinguishing feature on a special day, that acknowledges your heritage (or at least hints that your family aren’t all from Wapping).
• It could be pricey, but it’s relatively simple and adds a touch of class.
• How many men can seriously say that they don’t yearn for the chance to wear a skirt? Come on. Seriously. Guys?

Kilt Cons

• Tailored kilts from regarded manufacturers can cost in excess of £800, however, there are many high quality ‘range’ kilts available, and whilst you can rent, it’s easy to see it as a good investment and a nice memento of the day.
• A strong gust of wind has the potential to propel your kilt upwards revealing your wedding tackle to all guests and to set various female relatives worrying on behalf of the bride’s future happiness.

Purchashing your Kilt

The zenith of online kilt needs is the Highland Store. They proudly offer pretty much every tartan product on the market, ship internationally and even have a London-based kilt hire service.  Also on offer: ornate chopping boards for regional Scottish salmon, and, probably, shortbread and little piper girls stuck in a plastic tube. Somewhere.

Over at Tartanweb, you can use the pioneering Tartan Kilt designer, which allows you to create the garment of your dreams for a premium and have it made up for you in Scotland to your specifications.

If you’re simply wearing a kilt to the wedding and are trying to avoid investing upwards of several hundred pounds, you can find budget kilts and accessories at Scots Connection.

Related Posts:

• Real Grooms: Thomas Gunning
• Real Grooms: Paul Rutherford
• Bloke In A Skirt
• Notice of Marriage Interview – A Registrar Speaks