Aug 03 2009
How To Rent a Kilt for Weddings and Other Occasions: Some Tips
Renting a kilt is an excellent idea for groomsmen in a wedding party or for any man interested in displaying his Scottish heritage at a formal event.
The decision to rent versus purchase a kilt is dependent on the situation. For my recent wedding (left, Photo Credit: Kelly @ Convention Fans), my husband chose to purchase his kilt. He knew he would be wearing the kilt to other formal events and weddings as he hates to wear a suit and prefers to display his cultural heritage. However, had he needed the kilt for only one occasion, it would have been more cost-effective to rent the kilt. Rick also purchased his own shoes, socks, flashes (fabric which goes around the socks using a small garter) and sporran–or the “man purse” worn about the waist. The chain connecting his sporran is also custom made with United States Marine Corps insignia. (As a side note, the USMC has its own tartan.)
Our groomsmen rented their kilts from The Pipers Cove in New Jersey. They wore the Black Watch Tartan, which is a common and general military tartan. Since we won our wedding from NJWedding.com, we were able to order these on short notice in the appropriate sizes. If you’re looking for convenience when renting a kilt, consider a common tartan for availability.
Cost is also a factor for many men in determining when and how to rent a kilt. If you are planning to have groomsmen rent a kilt for a wedding, please note that a kilt rental is more expensive than a tuxedo rental. Out of consideration, it’s best to notify your groomsmen of any costs as soon as possible.
For the individual kilt rental, it’s wise to note that several kilt rentals will equal the cost of a purchased kilt, so it may be worth it to save and purchase a kilt depending upon your situation.
Tips for kilt rental:
- When you go to rent a kilt, expect to be measured (or call in measurements) just as you would for a tuxedo. Be sure to understand exactly which measurements are needed.
- For formal events, men are to wear bow ties with the full formal outfit. Request bow tie extenders, because ties are usually not an exact fit.
- For wedding parties and group events, always order all kilts from the same retailer to ensure consistency.
More on kilts:
Best of luck with your experience of freedom!
~The Costumer
