Frequently Asked Kilt Questions

Traditional Scottish dress is called Highland dress. It typically includes a kilt made of wool tartan, worn with accessories such as a sporran, kilt hose, flashes, Ghillie brogues, and a jacket. The exact combination can vary depending on whether the occasion is formal, semi-formal, or casual.

Yes, you can absolutely wear tartan even if you're not Scottish. Tartan is widely appreciated around the world for its beauty and cultural significance.

While some tartans are associated with specific clans or regions, many are universal or fashion tartans that anyone can wear.

As long as it's worn respectfully, wearing tartan is welcomed and often seen as a sign of admiration for Scottish heritage.

The traditional equivalent of a kilt for a woman is a kilted skirt or tartan skirt. It features the same pleated style and tartan patterns as a man’s kilt but is typically tailored for a female silhouette.

For more formal occasions, women may wear a full-length tartan skirt or incorporate tartan into dresses, shawls, or sashes worn across the shoulder and secured with a brooch, especially when representing a clan.

The Scottish Gaelic word for dress is “èideadh”, which refers broadly to clothing or attire. For a specific type of dress, such as a gown, the word “gùn” is used.

The term “Highland dress” in Scottish Gaelic is “èideadh Gàidhealach” (pronounced ay-juh GAH-yuh-luch). This refers to the traditional attire worn in the Scottish Highlands, including the kilt and its accompanying garments. It is a key symbol of Scottish heritage and identity, especially during formal events, Highland games, and cultural celebrations.

What you wear to a Scottish party depends on the type of event and how formal it is. For a traditional or formal Scottish party, such as a ceilidh, wedding, or Burns Night celebration, men often wear Highland dress — including a kilt, sporran, jacket, and accessories — while women might wear a tartan skirt, dress, or sash.

For more casual gatherings, wearing something with a touch of tartan, like a scarf, tie, or even tartan trews (trousers), is a great way to embrace the Scottish spirit without going full formal. Comfortable shoes are also a good idea if dancing is involved!

Yes, you can absolutely wear a kilt to a formal event. In Scotland (and among Scottish communities worldwide), a kilt outfit is considered highly appropriate formal wear.

For black-tie occasions, the traditional ensemble includes a Prince Charlie jacket, waistcoat, dress sporran, kilt hose, flashes, Ghillie brogues, and a bow tie. A fly plaid and sgian-dubh may also be added for extra formality. A well-presented kilt outfit is every bit as formal as a tuxedo.

A formal kilt is simply referred to as a kilt, but the full outfit worn for formal occasions is called Full Highland Dress or Formal Highland Dress. This includes the kilt itself, typically worn with a Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat, a dress sporran, formal shirt and bow tie, kilt hose, flashes, Ghillie brogues, and often a fly plaid and sgian-dubh.

Yes, it is perfectly okay for an Englishman — or anyone of any nationality — to wear a kilt.

Kilts are a symbol of Scottish heritage, but they are also widely embraced and respected around the world.

Whether you’re attending a Scottish wedding, a ceilidh, or simply want to honour the culture, wearing a kilt is welcomed as long as it’s done respectfully. Many people choose a universal or district tartan if they don’t have a clan connection.

How you should dress in Scotland depends on the weather, the region, and the occasion. Here are some general tips:

• Layers are key: The weather can change quickly, so wear layers you can add or remove as needed.
• Waterproof outerwear: A good waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes or boots are essential, especially if you're exploring the Highlands or coastal areas.
• Warm clothing: Even in summer, it can be cool — pack jumpers, scarves, and perhaps a hat.
• For formal occasions: Highland dress, including a kilt outfit, is traditional and appropriate.
• For women, a tartan skirt, sash, or dress adds a Scottish touch.
• For casual wear: Jeans, jumpers, and waterproofs are practical and widely worn.

Scottish style is generally relaxed, but practical and weather-ready attire will serve you well.

In Scotland, a dressing gown is commonly referred to as a housecoat. While “dressing gown” is still widely understood and used, especially in more formal or modern contexts, “housecoat” is the more traditional Scottish and broader UK term for a robe worn around the house, typically over nightwear.

The main difference between a 5-yard kilt and an 8-yard kilt is the amount of fabric used, which affects the weight, fullness, and how it hangs:

• 5-yard kilt: Uses approximately 5 yards of tartan fabric. It’s lighter, cooler, and less expensive. It has fewer pleats, so it’s not as full at the back, but still looks very traditional. Ideal for casual wear or warmer weather.
• 8-yard kilt: Uses around 8 yards of fabric, making it heavier and more luxurious. It has deeper and more numerous pleats, giving it a fuller, swishier look and feel. This is the standard for formal Highland dress.

Both are authentic kilts — the choice comes down to budget, comfort, and how formal the occasion is.

To size a kilt properly, you need three key measurements, ideally taken while standing upright and relaxed:

• Waist – Measure around your natural waist, which is higher than your trouser waist — usually at the navel.
• Hip – Measure the widest part of your hips or seat.
• Kilt length – Measure from the natural waist (where you took the waist measurement) down to the middle of the knee.

Kilts are traditionally worn high on the waist, not on the hips like trousers. It's best to use a tailor’s tape measure and, if possible, have someone assist for accuracy.

For more information, refer to our full Kilt Measurement Guide.

No, kilts are not one size fits all. Kilts are tailored to fit specific waist, hip, and length measurements to ensure they sit correctly on the body and hang properly.

A well-fitted kilt should sit high on the waist (around the navel), wrap snugly, and fall to the middle of the knee.

While some off-the-peg kilts come in standard sizes with adjustable straps, a proper kilt — especially for formal wear — should be measured and made to fit the wearer precisely.

We offer a kilt resize service if you need your kilt size changed to suit you.

No, kilt sizes are not the same as trouser sizes. Kilts are worn higher on the body — around the natural waist, near the navel — which is usually a few inches larger than the waistline used for trousers. For example, if you wear a 34-inch waist in trousers, your kilt waist size might be closer to 36 or 37 inches.

Always measure your actual body, not your clothing size, when ordering a kilt to ensure the correct fit.

The dimensions of a kilt can vary based on the wearer’s size and the style of kilt, but here are typical measurements for a traditional men’s 8-yard kilt:

• Length: Usually between 22 to 26 inches (56 to 66 cm), measured from the natural waist to the middle of the knee.
• Width (fabric used):
  • A 5-yard kilt uses about 5 yards (4.5 metres) of tartan fabric.
  • An 8-yard kilt uses around 8 yards (7.3 metres) of fabric for a fuller pleat and better drape.
• Waist and hips: Made to measure based on the individual’s waist (taken at the navel) and hip circumference.

Women’s kilts and kilts for children will be shorter and use less fabric.

To make a traditional kilt, you typically need:

• 8-yard kilt: About 7.3 metres of tartan fabric – this is the standard for formal Highland dress and provides full pleating and swish.
• 5-yard kilt: About 4.5 metres – a lighter, more casual option with fewer pleats.

The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the wearer’s size and the width of the fabric roll (usually 140 cm wide for double-width tartan or around 70 cm for single-width).

The main difference between a kilt and a great kilt lies in their construction, history, and how they’re worn:

• Kilt (modern or tailored kilt): A sewn, pleated garment worn from the waist to the knees. It’s fitted with straps and buckles and is easy to put on. This is the type most commonly worn today for both casual and formal occasions.
• Great kilt (or feileadh mòr): A large piece of untailored wool fabric (typically 4 to 6 yards long) that is pleated by hand and wrapped around the body, with the top half draped over the shoulder or used as a cloak. It was worn in the 16th to 18th centuries and served as both clothing and blanket.

In short, the great kilt is an older, more versatile garment, while the modern kilt is a tailored and convenient evolution of it.

If your kilt is too big, don’t worry — it can usually be adjusted to fit you properly. Kilts are designed with some flexibility, but if it feels too loose around the waist or doesn’t sit correctly, it’s best to have it professionally altered.

At our workshop, we offer a kilt resizing service to ensure your kilt fits perfectly. Whether it needs the waist taken in, straps repositioned, or pleats adjusted, our experienced team will alter your kilt while preserving its structure and style. A well-fitted kilt not only looks better but feels more comfortable — and we’re here to help you achieve exactly that.

Yes, kilts can be shortened — but it should be done by a professional to maintain the garment’s structure and balance. Shortening a kilt involves carefully adjusting the length while preserving the pleats and the overall look.

At our workshop, we offer a kilt shortening service to ensure your kilt fits just right, hitting the middle of the knee as it should. Whether it's a traditional 8-yard kilt or a lighter 5-yard version, we’ll shorten it with precision and respect for the craftsmanship.

You can shorten a kilt with a temporary hem or a permanent hem, we offer both services.

Resizing a kilt involves carefully adjusting the waist, hip, and sometimes seat measurements to ensure a proper fit, while preserving the structure and pleating. Here’s how we professionally resize a kilt:

• Assess the fit – We check how much needs to be taken in or let out by measuring you and comparing it to the kilt’s current dimensions.
• Adjust straps and buckles – In many cases, repositioning the straps can fix minor sizing issues without altering the fabric.
• Alter the waistband – For larger adjustments, we may open the waistband, take in or let out the fabric, then reattach it neatly.
• Rework the pleats (if needed) – If the change is significant, we adjust the pleats to maintain balance and symmetry across the back.
• Final pressing and finish – We press the kilt and check all detailing to ensure it looks as good as new.

Because kilts are tailored garments, proper resizing requires skill — which is why we offer a professional kilt resizing service to get the perfect fit without compromising the craftsmanship.

Yes, a kilt can absolutely be altered — and with expert care, it can be adjusted without compromising its quality or appearance.

We offer a full range of kilt alteration services, including:

• Resizing the waist and hips
• Shortening the kilt length
• Moving or replacing straps and buckles
• Adjusting or repairing pleats
• Apron alteration

Whether your kilt needs a small tweak or a full refit, our professional team will ensure it fits comfortably and looks its best.

The best length for a kilt is one that falls to the middle of the kneecap when standing upright. This is the traditional and most flattering length, maintaining both style and function.

To measure it accurately, start from your natural waist (around the navel) down to the centre of your knee. Too short, and it looks awkward; too long, and it loses its classic shape and swing. A professionally fitted kilt will hang just right — and if yours doesn’t, we offer alteration services to get the perfect length.

If your kilt is too big, it may hang too low, feel loose at the waist, or shift around uncomfortably when worn. Luckily, it can be professionally altered for a better fit.

At our workshop, we offer a kilt resizing service to take in the waist, reposition straps and buckles, and adjust the fit so it sits comfortably at your natural waist and falls to the correct length.

Whether it’s a minor tweak or a more significant alteration, we’ll make sure your kilt fits securely, looks sharp, and stays true to its original craftsmanship.

Formal attire in Scotland typically includes a kilt outfit consisting of a traditional wool kilt in your clan or chosen tartan, a formal shirt, a Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat, a sporran (usually dress or fur style), kilt hose (socks), flashes, Ghillie brogues (lace-up shoes), and often a sgian-dubh (a small knife tucked into the sock) and a belt with a decorative buckle.

For very formal occasions, such as weddings or black-tie events, a bow tie and fly plaid (a piece of tartan worn over the shoulder) may also be worn.