Questions about ordering my first kilt.

[Thekiltedmohawk]

Hello Great Rabble! I'm Joshua, and I hail from Denver, Colorado. For the weeks I've been lurking on this fine forum, and decided to take a plunge to ask questions which with the answers coming I hope is going to help me finalize the decisions for my first kilt which I really look forward to! Since my ancestors were majorly British, but along with some Irish, German/Prussian, French, and etc... No Scottish family line yet to be discovered. Maybe some day I will finally find one, and having their clan tartan for a kilt someday? So, I'm eyeing this gorgeous American Heritage tartan of USAK to tribute respectfully to my families' long-standing history of serving in the American forces fighting in the wars from the American Revolutionary to WWI/WWII to Korean to Gulf War. What's finer than having American Heritage tartan as my first kilt?! I'm pretty patriotic about it!

So, here's the questions for my first kilt which I'm not sure which kilt from USAK to order.. Casual? Semi? 5 Yard Wool Kilt ?

1. Since I'm from Denver which may be changing in the wind suddenly from breezing to gusty wind to breezing.
2. Denver is also the city of 300+ sunny days with many mild winter days.. A few freezing days this and there as well. Which is better for that kind of weather in the PV or the wool kilt?
3. My ideal activities I will wear my kilt varied from hiking/camping in the mountains, fishing, pub, socializing at the friends' houses/watching sports together, dog parks, and many more.
4. I'm going to be a freelancing professional bookkeeper, so I will like to dress up in business casual to meet clients as well as looking sharp doing my job.
5. I rarely go to the black/white tie events, so it's not a major factor for deciding on my first kilt.
6. I think my ratio of shirt/boots wearing to business casual wearing will be at 80-20 for now unless I pick up more clients for my bookkeeping business.

So, that's why I'd like to know which kilt is right for me? I understand the American Heritage tartan casual kilt is priced at $100, Semi at $220, and 5 Yard Wool at $250 (sale). The 8 Yard Wool kilt is out of my budget. If anyone have other advice I'd welcome it! Look forward to your comments.

[Liam]

Welcome from Calgary!
Considering the wide range of activities, I would recommend the PV 8yd Semi-traditional. The 5 yd wool might also work.

[Mike S]

Given your limited budget and what you intend to use it for, my vote goes for the Stillwater 100% wool Heavyweight kilt in Black Watch.

[Richrail]

Welcome from Reno, NV.
Also considering the activities and changing weather conditions. The PV is machine washable but wool just feels wonderful. the PV semi-trad is awesome but is light weight in the winds. I have a semi-trad, and casual and to 5 yard wool, one in 16oz. and one in 13oz.

[Dughlas mor]

Actually, Liam, the semi-trad is a 5 yard kilt, but a darned good looking one, I love mine. If I were you, J, and if I was set on American Heritage, (fine choice) I would maybe go for the semi trad in PV. It is pretty adaptable, and would definitely work for all the casual activities you mention, as well as dressing up a little. If you are camping one day, and attending a meeting later that week, hey, machine washable, and pretty easy to get looking good again. The PV has that advantage over wool. Maybe you could start with PV, and start saving for a wool kilt later on. In any case, you won`t go wrong with USA Kilts.

[tundramanq]

I have spent time in Arvada and the wind there is about like where I live here, at the base of the Sandia pass in Albuquerque. Winds kicking to 30 and 40 MPH are the norm rather than the exception. I haven't gone Marilyn Monroe a single time in the USAK Casuals or Semis. I wear them quite often as witnessed by the 15 that I own. Am a sucker for a gorgeous tartan...

[Tarheel]

Well met Joshua. I'm with Liam and Dughlas on this one. The PV 8yd will also be easier to clean when used often and can be "dressed up" with jackets and snappy shoes, sporran, etc. Good choice on the tartan kilt to start, a solid colored utility kilt may be a next for more durable activities. Baby steps for now as the addiction will grab you quick. Welcome from Oxford, MS.

[cizinec]

Not knowing Stillwater kilts, I can't comment on those. I can say my son wears his USA Casual kilt daily. He runs,hikes and even did bjj in it. I have two sports kilts, and I have to say I envy my son when we work out together in kilts. There are honestly many good options, some more expensive than others. Take a look at Freedom Kilts as well. I think my next kilt will probably be either an xmarks or black watch tartan contemporary kilt from Freedom Kilts.

[GMan]

Another Denverite here. You cannot go wrong with USAKilts as a start (and continuing). I have several.

[sbevans]

I own several kilts from USAK, including a casual, two 5 yard wool, and an 8 yard ex-hire. I love them all. One of which is an American Heritage tartan kilt in the 5 yard wool. With that stated, I agree with Dughlas. For some of the activities you identified, I would like to have the ease of cleaning.