How NOT to wear a kilt

[YOJiMBO20]

Last year at the San Diego Games, I saw someone with his kilt backwards. I went up and quietly let him know that the pleats go in the back and he said “oh yeah!” and turned the kilt around.

Why people think they go in front (or how they can reasonably put a kilt on with pleats to the front) is beyond me.

[Brian Rose]

I was shocked to see photos on a kilt vendor website where the model had the kilt half right. It was a traditional kilt worn with the right hand strap buckles to the front. So pleats to the right and front apron to the left.
One would think that if the object is to sell kilts, it should be presented correctly. This vendor is in the USA. It’s been a while since I visited the site so the photos may have been corrected. As I remembered, there were more than one image like that.

[User]

...
Why people think they go in front (or how they can reasonably put a kilt on with pleats to the front) is beyond me.

Prior to taking an interest in kilts, most of my experience was with Japanese clothing. The hakama can be pleated several ways, but if it's only pleated on one half, then the pleats go in the front. This allows unrestricted leg and knee movement, and you don't mess up the pleats by sitting on them.

Pleats go in the front:


Not the back:


I don't think pleats in the front/back is intuitive. I think it's something that must be taught. If I didn't know better, I probably would have guessed pleats go in the front, because objectively speaking, sitting on pleats isn't ideal.

[YOJiMBO20]

I don't think pleats in the front/back is intuitive. I think it's something that must be taught. If I didn't know better, I probably would have guessed pleats go in the front, because objectively speaking, sitting on pleats isn't ideal.

The way I look at it is that it’s like wrapping up in a towel after swimming or showering. Wrap it around crossing in the front. The actual act of putting the kilt on with pleats in front is just confusing physically.

[User]

The way I look at it is that it’s like wrapping up in a towel after swimming or showering. Wrap it around crossing in the front. The actual act of putting the kilt on with pleats in front is just confusing physically.

I see what you mean. But for what it's worth, I put my sporran on backwards and then flip it around. I can picture people doing that with their kilt.

[CBH]

I don't think pleats in the front/back is intuitive. I think it's something that must be taught. If I didn't know better, I probably would have guessed pleats go in the front, because objectively speaking, sitting on pleats isn't ideal.

I totally agree. From a practical perspective, it would make far more sense to put pleats in front.

Unfortunately tradition was done the other way

[User]

I totally agree. From a practical perspective, it would make far more sense to put pleats in front.

Unfortunately tradition was done the other way

I assume it's because the tailored kilt descended from the great kilt, and it would be impractical to have pleats in front on a great kilt. Also, as yardage increases pleats in front make less sense. I suspect most people wearing a kilt backward are doing so with a box pleated or low yardage kilt.

[OC Richard]

I assume it's because the tailored kilt descended from the great kilt

Exactly so.

The pleated portion of the breacan-an-feileadh can only be as wide as the width your backside can hold in place when you lay on it.

So sewing a kilt with pleats in back replicates the appearance that people were accustomed to.

When the army switched from the breacan-an-feileadh to the little kilt for Full Dress they also issued a plaid which was belted around the waist and tied to the left shoulder with a ribbon to completely replicate the appearance of the breacan-an-feileadh.

On the other hand there are 18th century portraits of men in early little kilts which are pleated all around, so it's an accident of history, I suppose, that that didn't win out in the end.

Another accident of history, perhaps, is why sporrans didn't continue to be worn attached to the waistbelt as they originally were, but acquired their own dedicated narrow belt.

[Greekscottish]

I am a Greek who lives in Istanbul, Turkey. And I like Scottish culture very much. Recently, I became interested in Scottish clothings, especially in kilts. I have a piece I think very authentic. I added photos.
What is your opinion about this piece?

It's great to join you!
Thanks.

[Jock Scot]

Hello there. There are many ways to wear the kilt. Sometimes it is often worn incorrectly, sometimes the kilt is worn well. There is really no right or wrong way to wear the kilt as personal choice is an option open to all of us, but………………..wearing the the kilt and its assorted attire to “best effect” in many different circumstances and is what many experienced kilt wearers aim for. I have to say though, that many kilt wearers sadly fail dismally on that particular aspect. I suggest that the properly applied "best effect" aspect might be the route that you could wish to aim for. Why? A properly worn kilt and its accompanying attire, is a wonderful sight!