Don't get ripped off on things you don't need. The list of accessories is long, really long. And for every category, there are so many varieties. But don't despair. Perhaps you don't need any at all?
You can do with very few, and they don't need to cost a fortune. Find out which accessories might be close to must-haves, which ones might be nice to have, and which ones you shouldn't consider at all for casual and smart casual wear, and some not even for dress-up events.

Kilt accessories are related to the traditional kilt.

Really casual

When going really casual, you don't need any at all, especially not in summer when you would otherwise wear shorts. To consider might be a kilt belt. Otherwise, wear one of your normal belts.



Wearing just the kilt is something very non-Scottish. But assuming you are not Scottish and not in a Scottish context, it is OK, in my opinion.

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Smart-casual

There are only four accessories which I consider to be really basic. They are

1) a sporran
2) a kilt belt
3) kiltsocks
4) garters

To some, these might be one or two too many; to others, too few. But let's go through them.

A sporran

A traditional kilt has no pockets. The ‘authorized’ pocket for a traditional kilt is a purse to hang on your front. It is called a sporran.
There are three types of sporrans: dress sporrans, semi-dress sporrans, and day wear sporrans. For casual and smart casual wear, the day wear sporran is the right one. Sometimes it is called a leather day sporran. or simply a leather sporran.

With or without tassels?

Most sporrans on the market come with tassels on the front. When you are walking, they make you sound like a drummer. To most kilt wearers, it seems to be OK. To me it is not.
I suggest you go for a plain leather day sporran without these noisy and annoying tassels.

Earlier mentioned Championkilts.com is selling some sporrans without tassels.



Often, sporrans with tassels are cheaper than those without them.
If you buy a sporran with tassels, and you don’t like the noise they produce, cut them off. Just be sure that they are fastened under the sporran flap. On most sporrans they are.

Chain or strap?

With very few exceptions, sporrans are delivered together with a metal sporran chain.

A chain can be a little bit hard on your kilt, however. That is what several frequent kilt wearers think, and accordingly, they, for casual wear, prefer a leather strap. Me too.



I have made myself some black and brown leather straps for my day sporrans, but they can also be bought.

Must I wear a sporran?

Going without a sporran is definitely against the rules. A kilt and a sporran are often considered strongly connected items. Some kilt wearers will even say that without a sporran, a kilt is a skirt. That makes no sense. A car, from which something as essential as the wheels has been stolen, is still a car; it is no bicycle or whatever. But back to the question, you must not.



In disfavour of the sporran is also the fact that smartphones have become big, very big and are close to growing out of today's sporrans, meaning you must have another place to accommodate them. Or sporran makers are to adjust sizes in accordance with today’s needs.
Also, if your kilt is designed to sit low, which, according to CLAN, a casual kilt should, a sporran might either hang too low or be too close to the top of the kilt.

A belt

An original kilt belt & buckle might be a little bit overdressed for casual wear; nevertheless, it looks quite good, and wide-enough ordinary belts are hard to find elsewhere. Also, kilt belts and buckles are most affordable, so go for them.

There are some less 'Scottish' alternatives, however. Before mentioned Championkilts.com is, along with ordinary kilt belts, selling some double prong fashion kilt belts.

I have once made my own belt, but it hardly pays out when you can get one that cheap.

Must I wear a belt?

Technically, there is no reason why you should wear a belt with a kilt. By means of buckles and straps, it stays where it should. However, a kilt looks its best with a 2¼ to 2½ inches wide belt.
If you are wearing a sweater untucked, as it should be, a belt is unnecessary. If you are wearing a waist coat, you should not wear a kilt belt!

Kilt hose

Long socks, called kilt hose or kilt socks, are common with the kilt. They are, basically, "over-the-knees" and meant to be folded down about one inch (2.5 cm) below your knees, contrary to knee-high socks that end just below them.
They come in many colours.

White socks, whether long or short, are not to everybody’s taste; nevertheless, most kilt socks are probably white or off white. The reason might be that they'll go with practically every kilt.


Other popular colours are black, charcoal, lovat green, lovat blue, bottle green, dark grey, Bordeaux-red, red, and navy.

Kilt hose must not be solid coloured. In fact, some Scots like diced ones, I have been told. I definitely prefer solid coloured socks. In my book, mixing different patterns is bad taste, but you also sometimes see it in women’s fashion. So, we are all different.

All kilt vendors, I know of, are selling kilt hose. Often, they are the most expensive. OK, if the kilt is to be worn a few times a year, not if you wear your kilt regularly. A fine source might be Brevin & Co.. Their kilt socks are very good and reasonably priced. Being sold by Amazon, you might avoid taxes and customs declaration fee.

Garters

Kilt socks are sliding down, which is most annoying. To overcome this problem, you'll need garters. When your socks are folded down just below your knees, as they should, they are invisible. I'll go so far as to say that garters are the most important accessory for kilt-wearing.

Garters always come with flashes.
Considering, like me, flashes overdressed for casual wear? Only use the garters. When you think you need the flashes, put them on. It is very easy.

This ends the list of 'must-have' highland items for wearing traditional kilts in a smart casual way. For less than £100, you can have them all.

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Dress it up a bit

You might invite your wife to a nice restaurant or go to the opera house or theatre. Then, you'll probably need a few more or other accessories:

A kilt jacket

Men's ordinary jackets are too long to wear with a kilt and should look absolutely ridiculous. You’ll have to invest in an Argyle/(Argyll) or Braemer, of which the Argyle is the most popular one. It is available in various colours such as lovat blue, lovat green, and, of course, black. The latter is probably the most versatile colour. Price level £150-£250.

Flashes

Supposing you already have garters, you’ll also have flashes. For dressing up, they might be fine. How to wear them is described on the next page.

A kilt pin

Many kilt wearers always wear a kilt pin. It is inexpensive, and if you want one, buy one and wear it. Also, for casual wear, it is OK.


A kilt pin is for pure decoration and to be fastened to the outer apron about three inches up from the bottom of your kilt and about two inches from the apron fringes.
Some will say that a kilt pin, due to its weight, helps keep the kilt from going up in windy weather. It is not my experience. For obvious reasons, a kilt pin is not welcome on board a flight.

Kilt pins are available in several designs. From about £10.

I have several kilt pins, but I will only wear them at dress-up situations, and even then, it is far from always.

A warning

By NO means shall a kilt pin hold the two aprons together. It should destroy your precious kilt in no time! Therefore, only fasten a kilt pin to the outer apron.

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Taking it further

For dress-up situations where you should otherwise wear your best evening suit or a tux, you might consider some extras.

A sgian dubh

The sgian dubh is the Gaelic name for the special knife to be worn in your right (or left) kilt hose. Be aware, however, that in some countries the wearing of it could send you to prison if the blade is a little bit too long. And don't even think of wearing one in an airport.

You can have sgian dubhs, which are made of harmless plastic, and nobody knows until you draw it. However, neither weapon replica might be permitted on board an aeroplane.

I most seldom wear a sgian dubh, and when, only at dress-up occasions AND when there is no risk of being accused of illegal possession of weapons.

Ghillie Brogues

Special shoes with long laces to tie around your ankle. Unless you wear your kilt at white or black-tie events, you don't need them.

The full packet

The two pictures above represent the level at which many other kilt sites start (and remain).

Should you like to know more about how to dress for such rare occasions, you'll find excellent advice on some of them.
In my opinion, they are big overshooting the mark when it is about wearing a kilt as daily attire, meaning to replace jeans, shorts and equivalent, and where the kilt should just be considered another piece of clothing, rather than part of national dress.

Don't waste your money

A dirk in the belt, a bonnet, feathers, cap badges, and a plaid over the shoulder? Absolutely NO. Too much national dress can look rather ridiculous when worn by a non-Scot or when taking your dog out.

Let's sum it up

1. For casual, really casual wear you don’t need accessories at all.

2. For casual/smart casual wear you should probably invest in a day wear sporran, a kilt belt, kilt socks, and garters.

None of the items must be expensive. Black leather things go with all kilts. Black, white, and dark grey or charcoal kilt socks go with most tartans.

3. For dress up events like visiting better restaurants, going to the theatre, concert hall, etc., you should complement with a kilt jacket.

All other accessories are up to you, unless we talk about black and white tie functions, where rules must be followed.

That was what should be said about special kilt accessories.