From denim kilts to sporrans with smartphone pockets, Scottish designers aren’t fearful to motivate the boundaries when it comes to our nationwide dress. This blend of traditional techniques and history style, often with today’s twist, is as enchanting as ever, with superstars clamouring to wear the kilt whenever they can. So, if you’re to be the main character in a Scottish wedding history that’s just around the corner, here’s how to rock and roll your kilt.
1. Rules were designed to be broken.
When looking into kilts for our wedding, my hubby encountered a couple of uber-traditionalists along the way, who had been adamant that a certain design of jacket or a particular sporran must be worn along. What they manufactured from him – a Canadian with no Scottish traditions – putting on traditional Highland clothe themselves in the first place, we didn’t dare ask. Normally, he rejected all of this “helpful advice” and used just what he wished on the day. Which is just as it should be.
2. Don’t be afraid to mix it up.
Much like the bridesmaids, there is really no dependence on the men in the wedding get together to be all matchy matchy. One of the better reasons for having Scottish weddings is witnessing all different colours of Kilts For Men – aka the tartan rainbow effect. Equally, if the idea of your group photos being less than symmetrical enables you to shudder, or if your pals don’t own their own kilts, then you should pick a coordinating outfit that you can retain for everyone. Just look out for the rogue usher who pretends never to have obtained the memo and decides to wear his own family tartan in any case. There’s usually one…
3. Invest wisely.
A kilt attire is a huge investment, of course, if you don’t see yourself using it all that often down the road, then hiring could be your very best bet. Gone will be the days and nights of the ubiquitous Prince Charlie jacket (which with its brief crop and long tails wasn’t the most flattering style for those characters). Now most quality kilt work with companies have a much increased selection of tartans, and many varieties of jacket to choose from.
However, if you need to wear your own clan tartan and it’s not accessible, or you like the thought of a hipster fit kilt with pockets – having a kilt outfit custom-made is your best bet. Even though it won’t be cheap, choosing a kiltmaker who uses quality materials, teamed with traditional craftmanship, will help make sure that your kilt lasts a lifetime (the excess notches in the buckle permits just a little leeway over the years, but it addittionally serves as an efficient weight-monitoring tool!).
4. Be sure it fits.
We’ve lost matter of the number of times we’ve seen employ the service of companies diligently take measurements, and then give out a totally over-sized jacket for the wedding day. We know it’s boring, but please, please, put on your whole costume once you opt for it up, and make sure all the components is there. Rushing around, looking for a missing couple of flashes on the morning hours of the marriage, when you ought to be enjoying a cheeky dram with the kids, is not the best way to begin the wedding day. And when it involves tying a bow-tie, practise makes perfect, but if you forgot to set up the time, there’s always YouTube.
5. Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise.
Usually us young ladies reach have all the fun here, but this is the onetime that you really can do it now gents, and put your own stamp on your outfit. Always fancied owning a ginormous hairy sporran? We say undertake it, it’s your wedding day after all!