First Kilt

[GaelicBoston78]

Hello Everyone,

I am purchasing my first kilt, and unsure what would be proper. I will be attending several events with my clan this year and working the booth, and unsure of the type of kilt to purchase and the proper accessories.

The tartan alone is available in MacIntosh and Hunting MacIntosh in Modern, Ancient and Weathered. I am unsure which Tartan would be appropriate.

Also I have no idea, if the type of Sporran matters or if its just personal preference.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

If you're working the booth, you must absolutely avoid the "bargain brand" type kilt. You'll be sufficiently embarassed by them that you'd be uncomfortable and want to change back into trousers.

Don't go looking for the tartan; choose a kiltmaker. That's who will source the tartan. S/He can also likely help you with the accessories (sporran, hose, sghian, garters, etc. etc. etc.) The type of sporran is largely taste, but they do fall into broad categories of daywear and formal. There's a thing out there called "semi-formal" that's neither fish nor foul and although a lot of folks like them, they're really out of place in any setting.

If price is a problem, come back to the forum; there are some really good folks here who offer "almost the same as bespoke" at greatly reduced prices.

The tartans you've mentioned are just the regular tartan and faded-colour variations that are designed with wool died to look old. Your choice, your taste.

Have fun, and don't forget to introduce yourself in the "Newbie" forum; I think you'll be surprised and pleased at the warm welcome you'll get!

Cheers!

Father Bill+

[ASinclair]

Hello Everyone,

I am purchasing my first kilt, and unsure what would be proper. I will be attending several events with my clan this year and working the booth, and unsure of the type of kilt to purchase and the proper accessories.

The tartan alone is available in MacIntosh and Hunting MacIntosh in Modern, Ancient and Weathered. I am unsure which Tartan would be appropriate.

Also I have no idea, if the type of Sporran matters or if its just personal preference.

Read this book => So You're Going to Wear the Kilt!: All You Want to Know About Tartan Dress by J. Charles Thompson

And also, Hello GaelicBoston78!



If you've not done so already, you may want to introduce yourself in the Newbie forum.

[Richrail]

from Reno, NV.

[Guinness>water]

Hello Gaelic,
please read this. It was written by Matt Newsome, a member here, and is the best place to start. On his website (linked to before) there is a ton of great info about anything and everything you could want to know about kilts and tartan.

[cck]

Welcome to XMTS. As you can see, this is an excellent source for the information you seek. On a practical basis, if I were you, I would choose the tartan in your line that you like best. I think it is nice that you can select among modern, ancient, and weathered. Not all of us have that many choices. Sporrans have day and evening designations as do jackets and other items, including formal and casual.

[Mikilt]

Hi Gaelic,
Welcome. You've already gotten some good information. If you'd like some visual guide to day vs evening wear sporrans, check out http://kiltshop.scottishtartans.org/ There's a drop-down menu labeled Sporrans (3rd from the left). This will give you an idea of what some day wear sporrans and evening wear sporrans look like.

http://www.usakilts.com/kilt-accessories/sporrans.html also has good examples

Assuming you'll only be buying one to start, which to choose? Ask yourself where you'll be most often wearing your kilt. If it's during the day, have a look at day sporrans. It it's going to be more formal settings, maybe an evening sporran. If you need to have one all purpose sporran, choose a nice black leather.

[knotty]

Welcome.

As with many things, buy the best you can afford.

[tulloch]

Welcome from the shadow of Mt. Wachusett. If you go to a Northeastern hockey game and there's a guy in a kilt, its me. If you are on Boylston Street and see a man wearing a kilt doubled-up laughing with a girl young enough to be his daughter, that's me - with my daughter.

[Tomak]

Welcome from Southern California.