My first kilt

[Quinlan]

Greetings,

This is the beginning of my kilt journey.

My initial thinking was to sew one myself, then a reality check came when I realised it's not a viable option to make one without a sewing machine and I don't plan on buying one now. I mean, hand sewing roughly molle webbing isn't exactly the experience to draw upon when you want to sew a garment you'll be wearing.

That's a whole different thing and a skill I would need to develop, along with the man hours to do it without a machine...

So I'll search for a kilt to purchase. I found the design of a wool blanket I bought during antrip to Edinburgh is called "bannockbane silver tartan", so I'll search for this in a kilt. I hope they make it in kilts as well as blankets.

And it just goes to show how little I know about kilts that I thought it would be like buying a pair of trousers, or a good shirt.

There are synthetic ones, at reasonable prices, but for the wool ones, it's like investing in a new suit. So, no quick purchase. I will have to save up some funds for a proper one. Till then I want to get a reasonably priced one, see if I do like it as I believe I will and then start thinking about a wool one.

Synthetics or cotton or a blend of the two it is then. One of these utility kilts maybe? That's were I was aiming at and then the Mountain Hardware Elkommando was suggested to me. Researching it I found that it is perfect for my purposes.

As a first kilt and for the trip I am planning on having in Scotland late spring / summer, it is a very good one for a hiking trip.

But, it's been discontinued and although it can still be found, not in my size which is Looked (36' waist). All I can find are either X-Small or XX-Large...

So, back to square one. If anybody has any alternative suggestions, other kilts for hiking, with some waterproofing capacity as the Elkommando has, please feel free to offer your suggestions.


Regards,

Christos

[Father Bill]

Hi Christos.

The best advice I can give you is to save up and wait. Learn lots in the meanwhile and plan your buying. It will cost you less in the long run because having something fast and cheap means you'll be selling it at a loss to help finance the item you really want.

Quality is always more satisfactory in the long run (or even the short run) than cheap.

If you've got lots of money to lose, then go for it. Otherwise...

...wait and save.

[Tarheel]

Well met and welcome Christos. I believe you've got a good handle on your needs and wants in a first kilt. In a perfect world all the items can be found in one garment. I'll knock on my trusted White Oak for you. Please keep us informed as you continue your quest. Photos will be welcomed even encouraged.

Glad to have you with us.

[Karl R]

There are synthetic ones, at reasonable prices, but for the wool ones, it's like investing in a new suit. So, no quick purchase. I will have to save up some funds for a proper one. Till then I want to get a reasonably priced one, see if I do like it as I believe I will and then start thinking about a wool one.

Synthetics or cotton or a blend of the two it is then. One of these utility kilts maybe?

I'm going to agree with your general plan, rather than Father Bill's recommendation. (It's my understanding that most people on this forum agree with his position, so his recommendation has merit.)

If you're not sure whether you'll enjoy wearing a kilt, or how often you'll want (or be able) to wear a kilt, then it makes more sense (to me) to start with a substantially smaller investment.

My first kilt was 100% wool. My wife purchased it for just over $100. I would say it's comparable to a pair of dress slacks. It's sufficiently well made. I also purchased a poly-viscose kilt for just over $100. It's even better made. It's perfect for hiking or other activities where I'm highly likely to get it dirty.

If you want an inexpensive kilt (and I'm going to define that as $150 or less), here are the options that I'm aware of, along with the pros and cons.

Ex-hire (from Kilts4Less or a comparable competitor)
Pros: a well-made (often Scottish made), 100% heavy weight wool, 8 yard kilt, about equal to any other 8 yard wool kilt, but at a fraction of the normal price.
Cons: off-the rack sizing (which either works for you, or it doesn't), with a very limited selection of tartans (around a dozen choices, give or take).

PV kilt (from USA Kilts)
Pros: a well made, custom fit, hard-wearing, stain resistant, machine washable, non-wool kilt; about 100 choices for tartans.
Cons: it just doesn't have quite the same look as wool, and it definitely doesn't have the same feel; someone who knows kilts will notice the difference, but an uninformed observer might not.

100% wool (from UT Kilts)
Pros: a decently made, custom fit, 100% wool (medium or heavy weight), 5 yard kilt, for less than half of what you would pay elsewhere.
Cons: it's Pakistani made, so the quality is a little lower (but not dramatically lower) than kilts made in Scotland, U.S., UK, or Canada; several dozen choices for tartans.

used kilt from eBay or this forum
Pros: it's possible to find almost any kilt, in almost any size, for a good price ... provided you can repeatedly check for months (or years) waiting for what you want.
Cons: sizing and tartan choices tend to be extremely limited at any given time; it's entirely up to you to ensure quality.

Utility Kilts
I have no experience with these (and I've done no research), so I can't provide the pros and cons. I'm sure others on this forum can.

Acrylic kilt (numerous vendors)
Pros: by far the cheapest option; machine washable.
Cons: wrinkles easily; does not last well; often Pakistani made, so the quality can be a gamble; usually off the rack sizes, but custom sizing may be available at a higher price; probably a choice of a few dozen tartans.

You'll probably want to do your own research into those options. Good luck.

[Stoff]

Here is where I throw out a little bit different route to being kilted. It starts with a question. Are you handy? If so you might want to consider building your own kilt. The old DIY route.

From there I would explore the "X Kilt" instructions that are available here on X Marks, Possibly the cargo kilt instructions on <https://www.instructables.com/>. Then for a truly professional kilt check out Barbara Tewksbury's "The Art of Kiltmaking". She is also a member here.

I currently have three active duty kilts, all that I made myself.

Just my two cents worth.

Stoff

[Tobinn]

I went the cheap-n-cheerful route with a PV from Celtic Croft (about $100) for a 5K Highlander Games run and to see how I like it.

Turns out, I did and ordered another one from Celtic Croft (a wool blend - about $120) and then a third from USAK (PV Semitrad).

I'm saving up now either for tank or a trip to kilt camp (to make my own). Or maybe I'll order a couple of PVs from USAK. I dunno. I've been thrilled with my kilts - I think each is at least the price paid if not better.

Now, none of them compare to a full on 8 yd wool kilt topped with awesome sauce but....ya know, I'm not sure I need more than one (maybe two - hmmm, see how this goes?) of that type. I mean, I've felt'em at the local Celtic shop (on the hanger - no one got slapped in the feeling up any kilts) and seen'em on the folks in the local pipe band and yep, the pleats are narrow, sharp and swish like they mean it.

I pretty much wear mine in lieu of jeans or khakis; running errands, heading to my favourite brew pub (Grindhaus Brew Lab - can I do a shout out?). Plus, it just doesn't get that cold in the Tampa Bay, Florida-area; the low-50s F is cold winter weather and my wool blend holds up OK (barely truth be told) but on a day like today (mid-80s F) my USAK PV semitrad is perfect.

Anyway, my two cents. I don't see anything wrong with getting yourself a couple or so of nice "inexpensive" kilts. Try'em on for size, so to speak. Get Ms. Tewksbury's book - it'll give you a much better appreciation for what goes into making a kilt and what to look for in buying a good kilt. Plow through this forum. Figure out what you want'em for. Have you already worn a kilt and know you love'em? Not sure yet? Just want something to bum around in? How much dough ya got?

The answers will dictate what you get.

Here's what I suggest, though, check out the sponsors and advertisers here first - you just won't go wrong and they help make this place happen. Stay away from the $25 sporrans and kilt belts and such. I know I've learned an awful lot (everything, actually) about what I know about kilts from this site.

That might've been four cents worth and no, I'm not going to make change for your dime.

[kingandrew]

My first kilt was a budget job from a booth at a Renaissance Festival. It was acrylic in Royal Stewart tartan. For about $80 it came complete with flashes, a sgian dubh (of surprising quality for the price), a sporran about the size of a cigarette pack, and a rough and cheap sporran chain.

It was a great way to find out if I was comfortable wearing a kilt. I quickly discovered that I am comfortable and that nearly everyone I met when I was kilted had compliments and encouragement to share.

So I quickly set about getting a higher-quality kilt and passed much of that original set onto a co-worker's teenage son, who also wanted to "test the waters." I don't regret spending that initial 80 bucks, as it was a pretty low-risk way to try things out.

So don't be afraid to try it out. Just be prepared to jump into a better-quality (more expensive) version soon, because you will almost surely want one after the first few times you venture out kilted.

Andrew

[Quinlan]

Greetings,

Thank you everyone for your replies. You all have given me a lot of food for thought.

Photos will be welcomed even encouraged.

All right then. Here is my first one:
4.jpg
(1.1 kg)

5.jpg
1.jpg
2.jpg
3.jpg

I went the synthetic way in the hopes of getting some waterproofing quality, since I want to use my first kilt for hiking. I have to say now that I've tried it on that it sits comfortably on me and is very liberating to walk around in it! Also, at £40-£50 it certainly didn't break the bank.

Here is where I throw out a little bit different route to being kilted. It starts with a question. Are you handy? If so you might want to consider building your own kilt. The old DIY route.

From there I would explore the "X Kilt" instructions that are available here on X Marks, Possibly the cargo kilt instructions on <https://www.instructables.com/>. Then for a truly professional kilt check out Barbara Tewksbury's "The Art of Kiltmaking". She is also a member here.

I currently have three active duty kilts, all that I made myself.

Just my two cents worth.

Stoff

Stoff, I got into sewing because I wanted to mod my carrying equipment for my camping/hiking trips. The "old DIY route" is most definitely something that interests me. However, I don't have a sewing machine and my experience from hand stitching tells me that this isn't something I would like to try. I will definitely give it a go though, when I buy a sewing machine.

Regards,

Christos

[imbrius]

Greetings,

Thank you everyone for your replies. You all have given me a lot of food for thought.


All right then. Here is my first one:

3.jpg

I went the synthetic way in the hopes of getting some waterproofing quality, since I want to use my first kilt for hiking. I have to say now that I've tried it on that it sits comfortably on me and is very liberating to walk around in it! Also, at £40-£50 it certainly didn't break the bank.

Regards,

Christos

Looks like the pleats are decently sewn from this angle, which is my main gripe with budget kilts. Looking nice! Then in a few months or years, (or weeks), you'll decide whether or not you like it. If so, awesome! I'm sure you'll get a whole bucket of opinions here on what to select for your second kilt!

[jthk]

Looking good! If I may offer a suggestion? The lower right hip buckle should be fairly loose, that is, it shouldn't be taut enough to pull on the apron. Buckled but loose.

To my understanding, that buckle doesn't have a purpose other than keeping the bottom of the aprons in line with each other when sitting. Most of my kilts either have their buckles taken off or don't have them to begin with.

Congrats on your first kilt!

Greetings,

Thank you everyone for your replies. You all have given me a lot of food for thought.


All right then. Here is my first one:
4.jpg
(1.1 kg)

5.jpg
1.jpg
2.jpg
3.jpg

I went the synthetic way in the hopes of getting some waterproofing quality, since I want to use my first kilt for hiking. I have to say now that I've tried it on that it sits comfortably on me and is very liberating to walk around in it! Also, at £40-£50 it certainly didn't break the bank.


Stoff, I got into sewing because I wanted to mod my carrying equipment for my camping/hiking trips. The "old DIY route" is most definitely something that interests me. However, I don't have a sewing machine and my experience from hand stitching tells me that this isn't something I would like to try. I will definitely give it a go though, when I buy a sewing machine.

Regards,

Christos