Wearing a kilt is a fun, exciting and often a liberating thing to do, but it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable if not worn correctly. Here at Reel Time we have put together this guide and accompanying video to help you put on your kilt outfit correctly, and avoid pitfalls like wearing it backwards! Here is our step by step guide

• Start with your shirt, socks and shoes first. That’s right, it’s much easier to put on your kilt after your shirt and shoes are on.
• Socks should be worn just below knee level (2-3 finger widths below your kneecap is a good guide) Socks should also be turned over at the top.
• The tartan garter flashes should be worn to the outside of each leg, then the socks turned over the elastic, leaving the tartan flash sticking out of the bottom. Your flashes are normally found inside your sporran, along with your Sgian Dubh (or ceremonial dagger) 
• The Sgian dubh goes inside your right sock (or left if you are left-handed) You should leave a small part of the handle poking out of your sock, so it’s visible to others and easily accessible, should you need to defend yourself.
• Next it’s your shoes or Ghillie Brogues. These formal shoes have very long laces, which are wrapped and tied around the ankle. Although it looks elaborate, it is in fact quite easy to demonstrate. Please see our video for the easiest way to tie them.

Next is the Kilt – Your kilt will come with all the buckles done up. You need to undo all 3 of these, you will find them either side of the kilt. Once you have undone these you have what looks like a large tartan towel.

• Swing the kilt around your waist so the pleats are on the back, and you should be holding either end of the kilt. There should be ONE leather strap in your right hand, 2 leather straps in your left.
• Starting with your right hand, move it to your left hip – there you will find a small hole. Thread the leather strap through the hole and buckle, and fasten it tightly. This should hold the kilt up!
• This leaves you with a flap of tartan which you should still be holding in your left hand – it should have 2 leather straps. Wrap it across to your right hip, where you should find 2 buckles. These do not need to be fastened tightly, the other buckle is doing all the work.
• You may need to adjust the height of the kilt up or down slightly – the bottom of the kilt should fall between the top and middle of the knee.Most importantly, the flat fabric should be on the front, the pleats should be at the back
• Next is your sporran. This is worn around the waist to the front. There is no hard and fast rules of exactly where the sporran should sit – as its in quite a “sensitive” area for gentlemen, you may wish to adjust it slightly to suit, especially if you intend to take part in any vigorous ceilidh dancing!
• Now it’s the simple bits – Bow Tie, jacket and waistcoat. The Bowtie is a clip-on, to avoid any frustrations, pop this on, then its your waistcoat and jacket, and you are done.

All that’s left to do is join in the fun, enjoy the breeze between your knees, and remember to sit down with your legs together!!