Help with a multitude of choices

[Shotdir]

So this is the story. I am going to get a kilt. (period)

Now I need some expert opinions! Preferably most of yours!

M wife thinks that I should have a Doublet - she doesn't like the Coatee. SO - I now need a Montrose doublet, a traditional kilt (at least 13 oz?), a formal sporran, jabot and cuffs, flashes, hose.......and your opinions on what and where to get this......

This is gonna end up costing an arm and most of both legs. I would prefer to stay under a grand (Yes, I am cheap, maybe my GF was a Scot)

Who has a great deal, that I can get before the 1st of December?
I was thinking about Leatherneck tartan (since that is my "CLAN") my family is mostly Irish or Spanish (and the latter don't think much of skirts on guys).

May I wear black dress wing-tip shoes with this for a formal affair?

So, pile on guys, the more info I have the better I will feel about this.

Thanks

[Prester John]

Go to Kiltstore.net or Scottishkilts.net. Go ahead and save yourself trouble.

Get one of their "outfits" which is everything you will need for a discounted rate.

Yes, you can wear black wingtips, but if you are going for the doublet, go ahead and ante up for the ghillies (just my opinion).

Leatherneck tartan is fine. There are irish tartans also, but go with what YOU want to wear and what you like.

Keep us posted, and post some pics asap.

[Miah]

Yeah If you are going all out, just get a whole outfit at once. unless you think you can get it cheeper. Are you a jarhead?

Once a marine always!

[David Thornton]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Complete-Prince-...QQcmdZViewItem

This should do nicely

David

[Bil]

I have to agree with Prester John. The kiltstore.net has great prices for etire packages. The added incentive is that you get a 10% discount through Xmarks.

Scottishclansman.com is another place to check. You mentioned wanting to get something prior to December 1st so this may not be the best choice but I thought I'd throw it out there. This store gets mixed reviews here. I own a kilt from them and am pretty pleased, but then again I did not have to place an order and wait. I am aware that some people here feel they have been burned, etc... but there are also individuals here that feel that they got a good deal. My point is simply, buyer beware. And that goes for anything you purchase off of the internet.

I truely hope that you find what you are looking for in the alloted time. Please keep us posted as to who you purchased from and how you feel about the transaction. Member feedback is important for ensuring that others have (or don't have) similar experiences.

[Shotdir]

Miah, long long ago....in a land (NOT) very far away (MCB-CP)...Semper Fi.

Does anyone have any experience with J. Higgins Ltd. from Kansas?

I know I want to buy quality, pay for it once and it should last forever if well taken care of. Buy cheap and you keep paying for it.

Also in Redlands, CA there is a shop. R. P. Blandford & Son, Ltd..... the owner seems very nice and the kilts look great.

I've been in there but don't know enough about anything to decide, can any one add anything about them?

Thanks
Ed

[macwilkin]

Does anyone have any experience with J. Higgins Ltd. from Kansas?

A lot of folks I know who have experience with Higgins report a very "hit and miss" experience in regards to quality; some good, some bad. They used to be better, but I'm hearing more and more not-so-good things about them recently.

I recommend Hector Russell's Canadian branch in Toronto:

http://www.hector-russell.ca

Darren, the manager, is not only a trained kilt maker, but very easy to work with.

Cheers,

Todd

[bear]

Kiltstore.net is a sponsor for this site. They do fine work and give a 10% discount for XMarks members. Also, Kiltstore is a big enough outfit to have what you want in stock. (I'm talking accessories. The kilt will be custom made for you.)
Whomever you decide to buy from, buy all you need in one shot, from one place. It will cost you less and there will be WAY too much BS if you try to get 'deals' from different suppliers for various items.