Caring for Your Kilt, Hose, Flashes, and Ghillie Brogues: A Guide for Pipe Band Performers
Maintaining your uniform is more than just looking sharp—it’s about respecting the tradition and presenting a professional image every time we step on the field or stage. This guide covers two key areas of our uniform: kilt care and the correct wearing of hose, flashes, and ghillie brogues.
1. Kilt Care
Proper folding method:
Lay the kilt with pleats facing out.
Fold into thirds.
Then fold in half, still with pleats out.
Hanging:
Use a sturdy wooden trouser hanger.
Avoid flimsy plastic hangers—they can warp under the kilt’s weight.
The small hooks sewn into some kilts are intended for single-nail military storage and aren’t ideal for home use.
Pressing and Shaping
Why it matters:
A well-pressed kilt lies flat against the body, with no sag or flare at the bottom.
The vertical lines in the tartan’s pattern should run straight from the waistband to the hem in every pleat.
Pressing technique:
Align each pleat to match the tartan’s lines exactly.
Avoid widening or narrowing the pleat below the stitched waistband—it should remain uniform.
Use a steam iron on a low steam setting with a damp pillowcase or towel over the wool to prevent shine.
Work pleat by pleat on the outer and inner pleats.
Support the kilt’s weight while ironing—lay it flat on the floor or ironing board to prevent pulling.
Incorrect pressing or dry cleaning can cause excess fabric at the bottom to stick out instead of lying smoothly.
Cleaning: never dry clean
Dry cleaners often treat kilts like skirts, adding unwanted flare. The process strips the wool’s natural lanolin, making it stiff, scratchy, and more prone to wrinkles.
Hand washing:
Use lanolin-rich wool detergent like Outback Gold (available on Amazon) to maintain softness. Woolite is not sufficient.
Fill a bathtub with 3-4 inches of water the same temperature as the room.
Mix detergent thoroughly.
Fold the kilt in thirds, gently immerse, and lightly agitate.
Rinse 2–3 times with same-temperature water.
Dry by hanging in open air, or lay on clean grass to allow chlorophyll to brighten colors (watch for birds!).
Home “dry-clean” kits: These still use chemicals that can strip lanolin—avoid if possible.
2. Hose and Flashes
Hose Position
Hose should be pulled up to about two fingers’ width (1.5–2 inches) below the bottom of the knee.
This allows for a traditional look and prevents the socks from appearing bunched or sagging.
Flashes Position
Push the flashes up into the hose so that only half the flash is visible (about 3 inches showing).
Too much flash showing looks sloppy.
The inside edge of the flash should be rotated toward the front of your shin, not straight out to the side.
This positioning matches competition standards and creates a uniform, polished look across the band.
3. Footwear
Shine your shoes:
Avoid quick-shine foam bottles—they leave a dull, streaky finish.
Use black shoe cream and a soft-bristle applicator brush.
Work the cream into the leather, buff with a shoe brush or cloth.
For a military-grade shine, use a small amount of water while buffing (“spit shine” technique).
Final Takeaway:
Presentation Matters
When we all maintain our kilts, hose, flashes, and shoes to the same standard:
The band appears unified and professional.
Judges and audiences notice our attention to detail.
Our uniform reflects the pride we take in our music.
Uniform upkeep is part of performance readiness. The extra time you spend pressing your pleats, setting your hose, and shining your shoes contributes directly to the band’s overall impression—whether we’re in a parade, on stage, or in front of competition judges.
Thanks to Charlie Marlatt for keeping us all looking sharp!