White Dress Shirt? No real kilt belt?

**Presidential33** · 27th February 11, 03:07 PM

I am ready to wear my kilt to the office. I am a newbie.

I bought a Black Watch tartan wool kilt.
I bought lovat green hose and red flashes.
I also bought the family name kilt pin and a black rabbit fur sporran.

I do not have a kilt belt yet, so I am wondering if I can get away with wearing a normal thick leather belt with a normal buckle until I buy a more formal kilt belt. Or should I absolutely wait until a get a real kilt belt?

I did not buy anything for the top, so I was thinking of wearing a white dress shirt, black tie and black button up vest. But I was reading that white hose were a no-no, so I am wondering if it is OK to have a white dress shirt?

Or would it be best that I wear a black sweater?

Thank you for any advice. I am a little nervous since this is the first time since I bought it in December that I will be wearing it out.

**Downunder Kilt** · 27th February 11, 03:19 PM

My recommendation would be to steer clear of the plain black ties with the white shirt (makes you look like a piper) If the white shirt is all you have at this stage the try a club/old school tie/regimental style tie.

As for a belt, please do not wear a belt under 2" wide, it's better to go without one that with one that is too skinny.

In relation to your sporran, when funds allow I would suggest a leather one for work as the fur one will quicky become dirty.

Just remember, that you don't have to match every bit of your clothing, colourwise, when wearing the kilt. If you have other colour business shirts try those with the kilt with other ties. See how they look

**Mark Keeney** · 27th February 11, 03:26 PM

No need to wait.

Wear what you have and add things as you can afford them. A white shirt is fine and will look clean and neat, or else why would a piper wear them.

There are traditions and opinions but there is no such thing as a no_no. If you like white hose wear them proudly. If you don't like them don't wear them.

The important thing to remember is to look in the mirror and if it looks good to you it looks good period.

**Llwyd** · 27th February 11, 04:19 PM

I just wear wide belts...nothing fancy...but striking...

**Ryan Ross** · 27th February 11, 04:20 PM

I'll go one step further- If you plan to wear a button up vest, my reccomendation would be to not wear a belt, EVEN if you DO have a "proper" kilt belt. That is the traditional wisdom- no belt when wearing a vest.

There's certainly no worries about wearing a white shirt, though I'd certainly agree that you might enjoy a more colorful tie than black. I also would heartily reccomend getting a plain black or brown leather sporran for wear at work. An inexpensive one can be had that would fit the bill. Even without that though, I say go for it as soon as you have a mind to! You'll love it, and so will the folks around you.

**Father Bill** · 27th February 11, 05:03 PM

I feel much better dressed in coloured hose, but if white (cream?) is what you have... wear 'em. I do wear a belt under my vest, but it's a clerical vest (you know, the little narrow notch collar) and long enough that nobody sees the belt. It has hangers and keeps my sporran in place, so I wear it.

Generally the rule is to worry less and enjoy more.

**Presidential33** · 27th February 11, 06:37 PM

Thank you everybody for your responses. This has definitely given me some direction

**Jack Daw** · 27th February 11, 07:04 PM

Although I prefer to wear a belt when I am not donning a waistcoat, you simply do not need to wear a belt at all with your kilt.

**Leonard (MacGregor)Tinker** · 27th February 11, 07:16 PM

Hello,

I routinely wear a white shirt and a four in hand tie with my kilt for business casual wear. I normally wear a sport jacket since so far I don't have an Argyle jacket. My kilt is MacGregor tartan so I wear red or green hose. With the sport jacket I don't wear a belt. I nomally wear eith a plain leather sporan or a semi dress sporan. As it happens I prefer a shirt with French cuffs so I wear cuff links. This is what I wore last night to the Scottish Heritage Society's scotch tasting party. I wore ghilly brogues though I frequently wear plain black oxfords.

Regards,

Leonard (MacGregor) Tinker

**EagleJCS** · 27th February 11, 07:38 PM

The white shirt, black vest (waistcoat) and black tie would definitely label you as a piper.

As others have suggested, I would change the tie to a stripe or a different solid color and/or lose the vest. With the vest on, don't wear a belt. Without the vest, you don't have to have a belt, but if you need to wear one (or don't feel like things look right without one), it really should be a kilt belt (1 3/4" - 2") and not a standard - or even "wide" - trousers belt.