Looking For Some Kilt Guidance

[DamnthePants]

Hello there everyone. New to the forums, but out of every place I’ve looked, I must say I best I have found the best place to get the answers that I seek. Hold on though, this post is filled with some questions needing your expert advice.

I have never worn a kilt before, but situations have arisen that require it of me. Personally I don’t see it something I don’t want to do. Just needed to be kicked out of the door.

My only concern is that it will be too tight. Only seeing pictures, and never seeing them in real life, my first fear is that they are going to be somewhat tight and mobility constricting ( my only reference is, and please don’t kill me for saying this, but a skirt a girl would ware.) I have a feeling that I’m wrong on this, but having someone tell me just how ‘free’ and easy it is to move in one of these would greatly put to rest this fear.

I am looking to buy two kilts. The first is a nice one that I will be using at a wedding this fall. I’m not too concerned with this one, as after searching through your helpful suppliers links, getting a nice package deal for everything that’s needed is nice.

The second kilt is going to see a lot of use though, so I need something durable. I practice Historical Scottish broadsword(British regimental, and just recently old style), Claymore, Dirk, and Targe, summer has just started, and not only would a kilt be much appreciated for being cooler then pants, but feel slightly more shall we say, historically accurate. It would need to be durable though, able to withstand falls and being struck.

Those are basically what I need advice in. I have plenty of time before I need any of these, so I thought it would be best to get as much information as I can before making any rush purchases. Thanks in advance, and I look forward to getting my first piece of non-bifurcated clothing

[Monkey@Arms]

Well, let me be the first to welcome you. I'll just address your first question. A properly fitting kilt is not restricting at all. All those pleats mean freedom of movement. Even a casual kilt has something around sixteen feet of pleated material = plenty of leg room.

Best regards,

Jake

[DamnthePants]

Thanks. You've removed half the fear of wearing one right there

[McMurdo]

First of DamnthePants
I do not have any experience with the type of thing that you are doing, however I can say as someone who has been wearing kilts on and off for 5 yrs now, and everyday for the past month or so you have little worry about kilts being constrictive, on the contrary they allow the wearer to move, think about competitors in the highland games.

As far as places to get your kilt for these activities I would think that a casual kilt from either
USA kilts
www.usakilts.com
or Canadian Casual Kilts
www.canadiancasualkilts.com
might work or you could look into
Sport kilts
www.sportkilt.com
Hope this helps and again

[MacWage]

A VERY important question:

Budget for wedding kilt?

Budget for "games" kilt?


For the second, a cheaper option, like a USA Kilt, SportKilt, or Stillwater might be fine (each importantly different than the others).

For a more "durable" option, I'd SERIOUS consider one of Matt Newsome's box pleats. It actually would solve BOTH in one. (Matt is curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, NC and can be contacted there VERY easily.

WARNING: most have more than one kilt, a few here have over 50. Yet, one kilt can also be enough, as some here are PERFECTLY happy with one really nice, well-made one.

As for constriction, a kilt is 4 to 8 or more yards of material in length pleated around a waist/hip MUCH smaller. The problem is more of strong winds BLOWING a lighter kilt up, exposing the answer to "The Question."
There is NO restriction, except being conscious of keeping from exposing one's "modesty."

[DamnthePants]

Budget Answer:

Wedding Kilt: Im looking maybe around 600-800 US for the kilt + all the bells and whistles that come with it.

Fighting Kilt: Looking to spend maybe, at most 150-200 US

[MacWage]

LOOK HERE!!!!!
http://kilts.albanach.org/
Matt's other website (info)
http://albanach.org/index.htm

For that budget, I would get 3 Newsome kilts!!!! (about $350 each, depending on tartan)
They would be PLENTY durable enough for what you do, unless you REALLY want to machine wash them or get the routinely filthy/muddy.

The Box pleat is actually the EARLIEST tailored style of kilt.
On the early kilt: (Matt LITERALLY wrote the book on it)
http://albanach.org/kilt.html
http://kilts.albanach.org/history.html

For the other stuff, Matt can help too (so it all coordinates):
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/

[Graham]

Hi, we all have different experiences and preferences here, but for a durable kilt in a tartan that is low cost and cool to wear I recommend poly viscose.
I have about five or six of them in 5 and 8 yard from USA Kilts. It's hard to wear them out. (but being run through with a claymore might test it)

[Mr. MacDougall]

Even a casual kilt is not restrictive. I have a couple from SportKilt (I wanted to put my toe in the water before spending large bucks on a really nice one, only to discover I didn't like it), and the only restriction you ever feel is around the middle, and that's no more than a pair of jeans would be restrictive.

As for an inexpensive fighting kilt, I'd recomend taking a look at the sites already mentioned (SportKilt, USA Kilt, Stillwater), and see what appeals to you.

[Kiltman]

Welcome from Eastern Washington. It sounds like you are a natural for wearing a kilt. Don't wait. Matt's kilts are a real good suggestion. Best wishes to you.