How to Sit in a Kilt

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 17, 2022

Sitting down in a kilt can be challenging because you do not want to damage the pleats of the kilt. In addition, many people do not wear underwear beneath their kilts, so you also do not want to expose yourself to someone who might be sitting across from you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Sitting Down in a Kilt

1
Approach your seat. Walk up to the place where you’re going to sit, whether it’s a dining room chair, a stool, or a car. Turn around, so that your back is facing the chair. Back up so that the backs of your legs are touching the chair (they can also be a couple inches away).
2
Smooth your pleats. Using both hands, smooth the pleats of your kilt against your body. They should lie flat against your body, so that you sit on your pleats.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you do not sit on your pleats, they will become wrinkled.
Advertisement
3
Sit down. Once you’ve smoothed out your kilt, you should feel free to sit down. Make sure that you’re sitting on your kilt, not directly on the chair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Remaining Seated in a Kilt

1
Position your legs. You have a couple of options for positioning your legs. You can spread your legs (and tuck your sporran and kilt between them). You can also cross your calves or your legs, but this may not be as comfortable.
2
Use your sporran to your advantage, if you spread your legs. Press down on the front part of the kilt and your sporran. This should allow the kilt to fall between your legs.^{[2]
X
Research source}
3
Be aware of your surroundings. Every few minutes, check to make sure that you’re still sitting on your kilt. You should also make sure that you are not exposing yourself because of the positioning of your kilt. Even if it feels unnatural at first, it will become second nature with time!

Community Q&A

Question

I want to sit without a chair. How do I do that?

Community Answer

If you stand up against the wall, you can simply bend your legs at a 90 degree angle and use the wall to support your back while you "sit."
Question

Is it " the American way" to wear a kilt below the navel?

Community Answer

Kilts should be worn on your natural waist, over the navel. If you wear it below the waist, it will hang below the knees, as well.
Question

What underwear should I wear under my kilt?

Sylghouls

Top Answerer

It's traditional to not wear any underwear under kilts, but it's also perfectly acceptable in modernity to wear briefs or tights.

Warnings

Most people do not wear underwear with kilts. Feel free to engage in this tradition, but be careful of exposing yourself!^{[3]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0