Hey could anyone help me

[GradKilt]

Well heres the story. I have 15 mins before i go to work and thought i'd look on the net for some info... anyways

I am graduating next year and I am very proud of my scottish background (only a 1/4 but strong as hell :P) So the thing is i always have to be the odd man out, do something that will turn heads, be myself. I want to have a kilt tux for my graduation. But the sad thing is i dont know too much about kilts. I know there is the kilt, the tarten, and sporrans, and a family crest (know mine). Any other things I should know or any sites that have lots of info.... wasn't sure where to post this one;

Thanks
jordan

[Declan Rowan]

Hey Jordan, check your other post

[macwilkin]

Welcome! For some good information about the kilt & tartan, I would recommend:

www.albanach.org

www.tartansauthority.com

The first site belongs to our own Matt Newsome, Curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum in North Carolina.

I know there is the kilt, the tarten, and sporrans, and a family crest (know mine).

When you say "family crest" I am assuming you mean the badge displaying the crest of the Chief of your clan in the buckle & strap? The crest is located at the top of a coat-of-arms, which belongs to the Chief alone -- the badge with the buckle, strap & crest signifies that you are a member of that clan.

My only advice: the mantra of many here at Xmarks: Know your tartan! It's history, especially. Which tartan are you wearing, and we can probably square you away with some.

Good luck on graduation, and I'm sure you'll make quite the impression! :mrgreen:

Yours Aye,

Todd

[highlander_Daz]

Be proud of your Scots blood my friend and dont ever refer to it as "only" a 1/4 ever again!!!! that celtic DNA in you blood is like a fire that should burn at the sound of the pipes!!!

seriously you have Scots heritage then get on the net and learn as much as you can about your people- Im sick of telling people you cant dilute celtic blood -its not pop!!!

congratualtions on your graduation and wear your kilt and be proud of your achievement but do some research, make sure your kilt is the correct size and length, choose a tartan-family or district tartans are nice but theres 100s to choose from.
make sure your sporran is semi dress and your socks are a contrasting colour (never white unless your the piper) wear a prince charlie jacket and vest and no belt on the kilt. well done.

[Big Dave]

[quote="highlander_Daz"]Be proud of your Scots blood my friend and dont ever refer to it as "only" a 1/4 ever again!!!! that celtic DNA in you blood is like a fire that should burn at the sound of the pipes!!!

seriously you have Scots heritage then get on the net and learn as much as you can about your people- Im sick of telling people you cant dilute celtic blood -its not pop!!!

This is absolutely true. Read as much as you can and be proud of your heritage, long live the Celts!!! And congrats for graduating.

[Jewddha]

Gradkilt...... me too!! pretty much the excat same circumstances as well!

[Raphael]

Are you graduating from High school or College/University?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Jordan,

Congrats on your decision to wear a kilt! You expressed interest in wearing a "kilt tux." The Prince Charlie jacket is the equivalent of a tuxedo jacket, and is what you are probably going to want to wear with your kilt. Here is what you are going to be looking at for a formal outfit:

-kilt
-kilt hose (any color to match your kilt, though I'd avoid khaki or oatmeal colors for formal wear)
-garter flashes (again, in a color to match your kilt)
-black leather dress shoes
-a formal sporran (there are many styles avaialble, from a relatively simple black leather bag, to a fur-front, silver cantle Prince Charelie sporran)
-a chain or belt to wear your sporran from!
-a white tux shirt
-black bow tie, or perhaps a bow tie in a tartan matching your kilt
-Prince Charlie jacket with vest (waistcoat)

Here are a few items/accessories that you may want to get but are not essential.
-kilt pin (most people always wear a kilt pin with their kilt, but no one will probably notice if you don't have one)
-sgian dubh (this is the knife worn in the top of the kilt hose. Again, most people always wear one with a kilt, but no one will notice if you don't)
-ghillie brouges (these are the leather dress shoes with extra long laces that wrap up your calf. Standard black dress shoes will work fine, but these add a bit of an extra touch)
-fly plaid & brooch (if you really want to snazz up your outfit you can splurge for this, but it is not necessary at all)
-a cap, such as a balmooral or glengarry, though for some indoor events you won't want a head cover
-diced or argyle hose instead of solid hose (again, a bit of extra pizzaz for a formal event but by no means necessary)

Another question to ask is how often do you plan on wearing this, and how much can you afford to spend? If you buy the whole ensemble, above, minus most of the extras I mentioned, you can easily spend over a grand, probably more in the neighborhood of $12 to $1400.

But how many of us own our own tuxedos? Another option is to rent. You can rent a basic formal outfit from us (the Scottish Tartans Museum gift shop -- yes, your purchase supports a non-profit!) for $100 plus shipping. See:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/rent.html

Another option is to buy the kilt, and rent the jacket. You'll notice on the above site that we also rent the jacket & vest for $50. Many men own their own kilts but don't attend enough formal events to justify their purchasing a Prince Charlie, so they rent one when the occasion arises. This way you have your own kilt, in your own tartan, tailor made for you, that you can wear to Scottish festivals, concerts, wherever!

There are quite a bit of options as far as kilts go (amount of yardage, style of pleating, weight of cloth) and you can expect to spend in the $350-650 range.

This should give you enough to chew on for a while. If you have any questions, though, just ask!
Matt

[chacbalam]

I give you fair warning once you buy your first kilt there is no turning back. I bought a dress kilt for my wedding, with all the accessories, the post above is right about the prices. Then I bought a day wear coate and casual accessories (another sporran, etc.) In the past monthe I have added two Utilikilts, and a SWHK, and a Buzz Kidder sporran.

On Tuesday someone tried to sell a set of bagbipes, and today at work I was offered a chanter.

I tell you wearing the kilt is more addictive than crack.

If you have any questions, look arround the board and join in often. Just don't blame me if you end a kilted piper travelling with a celtic band.

[awoodfellow]

Jordan,

welcome aboard the Xmark. some ships sail by the clock. Xmarks sails by the stars.

it's awesome to feel the way you do about your Celtic heritage. you can't deny it because you're not supposed to and it won't leave you alone because it's not supposed to.

take to heart Matts advice and recommendations. he's righteous.

oh, and keep in mind. wearing a kilt is not being the odd man out. it's the right thing to do. ;)

ambrose