At KiltsDirect.com we see lots of pictures of proud customers desperate to show how stunning they appear in their kilt . And of course we would never say that they looked anything less than fabulous! However now and again we do see a picture that gives us cause for concern. Just once in a wee while we have to quickly email back and explain to our poor customer just exactly how to wear the kilt properly, one recent example was a proud Texan posing with his rifle and brace of Grouse. All looked well until we realised the kilt was back to front!

So for the benefit of those highland dress 'virgins' here are some handy tips on wearing the kilt. We will assume for the purposes of this guide that you have chosen your kilt and its just arrived all nicely packed - you open it up and go 'ok so how do i get this damned thing on?'

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1. Preparing a new kilt: First of all a kilt that's come a long way will need to recuperate after it's journey. Chances are it has picked up the odd crease in transit. Your good lady will be able to tell you how to get those creases out without fiddling with an iron - simply run a shower or hot bath then while you have a nice stream filled bathroom let your kilt hang there for a small while. Don't let it fall in the bath and try to keep it dry, the steam should take out the creases.

2. Tacking stitches: Once your kilt has been straightened out and you get the chance to examine it for the first time you will see some loose white stitching along the pleats. There are normally 2-3 lines of white thread holding the pleats together. These are the tacking stitches and are there to hold the pleats in place on as new kilt while it is made. Most kiltmakers leave these in to keep the kilt perfect in transit. These HAVE to come out. Nothing will expose you as a novice quicker than turning up at a function with your tacking stitches still in place. Just unpick them and pull the threads out - this wont damage the kilt.

3. Putting on the kilt for the first time Firstly unbuckle all the fastenings so that the kilt opens up completely. You will see that in the centre of the kilt has all the deep pleats. This will be at your back so it's best to bring the kilt behind you with the canvas lining against your back . Now take the leather strap that is on your right at the top and bring this round to your left side. You will find a small slot in the kilt that the strap fits through and this strap can now be buckled. The kilt should be above your tummy button - just beneath the rib cage (this is higher than the normal trouser line ). Now take the left strap and buckle this to the right. Both straps should be fairly tight but not too much. In some kilts there will be a second side buckle, just fasten this to the same number of 'holes in' as the top strap

4. Adjusting: By now you will probably be in front of the nearest mirror. firstly check the length of the kilt . If your measurements were right you should see about half of each knee at least popping out from the bottom. If not then simply slide the kilt up or down slightly to get the desired effect. Now look at the sett (pattern) of the kilt. There should be a fairly obvious centre line (normally one of the thinner lines but not always as it depends on the tartan) in the pattern. Just make sure this is correctly in the centre of your body. The apron (that's the front flap) opening should be at your side.

5. Kilt pin: Many people get this wrong, attach the pin through the front apron only; it is decorative and does not hold the flaps together. The pin should be vertical and pinned around 2-3 inches up and 1-2 inches in from the bottom corner of the apron opening.

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So what do I wear under it?
Well that's a matter of taste. There is an old joke where a curious lady asks a Scotsman 'excuse me is anything worn under the kilt?' to which the canny old Scotsman replies 'No madam it's all in perfect working order!!' What is sometimes called 'Military style' is to wear nothing at all; It was common among Scottish regiments for a sergeant major to carry a mirror on a long stick while inspecting the troops on parade. He would pop this under the poor 'sqaddies' kilt to make sure he wasn't sporting anything unregimental! (we have no idea if this is where the term 'go commando' comes from!). Whatever your choice don't feel pressurised either way - it's a matter of what is comfortable for you.

So there you are. All kilted up so time to get out in your kilt 'Let the wind blow high, let the wind blow low' as Andy Stewart sang.

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