Greetings from Albuquerque

[Rashad]

Hi everyone. Looking forward to benefiting from the amazing accumulated wisdom in this forum and (maybe someday?) contributing back. My wife is a longtime highland dancer and instructor, and I've recently started learning the bagpipes, so time to take the plunge and get a kilt. I'm not sure if this is where I should ask for advice or in another thread but I'll try here and see how it goes.

So, my wife is of Campbell ancestry, so I'm leaning towards getting an Ancient Cambpell kilt, since I like the slightly lighter colors as compared to the black watch. I was willing to settle for a semi-traditional kilt from USAkilts, but the wife thinks they won't have the proper flow to them, so I'm looking for what my options are for a real kilt. I'm undecided as to weight. 13 oz seems like it would be fine, living in the Southwest US?

We have a local kiltmaker here in Albuquerque, Kathy Lare of http://www.kathyskilts.com/. So that would be the most logical high-end option it seems. As to cheaper options, as far as I can tell the best price/quality trade-offs are a $380ish + shipping from scotsweb, or a $400ish with shipping kilt from the College of Piping (made by RG Hardie) or this $360+shipping kilt from http://stjamesbagpipes.com/kilts.html. What other options am I missing from the cheaper side of things? Any advice among the cheaper options, or should we just save up and get Kathy to do one?

Any and all advice is welcome.

Rashad

[ThistleDown]

Welcome, Rashad, from British Columbia, and Inverness-shire. Kathy Lare has a fine reputation. Ask here for good advice, but always talk to your kilt-maker and listen to your wife before you place any order fr fabric.

[Nile]

Rashad, welcome to X Marks from Delaware.

Wow... Looks like you've done some research regarding your kilt and, I would say, you are certainly on track. Half the journey is deciding on the kilt you want and the other half is learning how to wear it appropriate to your chosen style. You will find X Marks an excellent resource for the support you will appreciate and value.

If I were to venture an opinion, I'd suggest saving up (while you do your research) and go for a good one up front. That said, that's not how I did it; I started with a kilt my wife bought me.

However, you may be able to find something used (& inexpensive) that you could pick up to get you kilted but, be wear of cheap! Be patient (but persistent), once you get one, you'll be kilted for life (Figure out your measurements and keep and eye on eBay and other resources).

Nile

[mookien]

Rashad: First, welcome from the Jemez mountains about 60 miles north of you as the crow flies, and about 100 miles via pavement. I hope you enjoy the forum.

Kathy has made a variety of kilts for me, my son, and my brother. She does superb work. In fact she recently finished an 8 yd. medium weight (13 oz.) Strathtummel kilt for me using wool from the Strathmore mill. I intend it to be a warmer-weather kilt.

I suggest that you contact her and make an appointment to visit her shop. It's a bit south of the Juan Tabo and I-40 exit. She stocks lots of Scottish attire and has many swatch books from almost every mill, so you can examine the actual tartan before you make a selection. It's one of my favorite things to do while I am there.

Also, USA Kilts makes many kinds and styles of kilts and does excellent work. As a less expensive alternative you might give their 5 yard wool kilt a look at

http://www.usakilts.com/5-yard-wool-kilt.html

I do not own one, but many folks on the forum do, and speak very highly of them. I have purchased a number of their Casual kilts, which are made of the same PV cloth used in their semi traditional kilts. You'd be surprised how bright and colorful they are and how good they look and feel. Few, if any, folks will know they are not "real", ie wool.

Finally, if you buy from any overseas firm, you will pay additional charges for shipping, and possibly currency transaction fees, customs, etc. I have purchased from Scotweb and I do recommend them, but you will have some additional costs not associated with a domestic transaction. Also, if you have to return something the cost will be higher, as well.

Good luck on your kilt quest. By all means keep asking questions and get others' advice and opinions.

John

[McClef]

from South Wales UK!

[Spartan Tartan]

from Oklahoma! I, personally enjoy the look and feel of heavy weight wool. I currently live in Oklahoma and had 100+ consecutive days of 100 degree weather. I do have a 13oz, 8yard kilt too, but wear my heavier weight 15-16oz more often and have never been bothered by the heat. I find the amount of material more the matter for heat... but that topic has been discussed at length here too.

I do have a USAK 5 yard heavy wieght wool kilt and it is my all purpose go to kilt. I wear it for nearly everything... I believe it has some internal conatruction differences, but nothng noticable whemm wearing it. For the money, it is a great purchase. That said, I would (and also did) save while researching and get the best kilt you can afford. Get what you want, otherwise you will spend more in the long run buying another kilt.

[Chas]

Hello Rashad,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

Why not go and speak to Kathy and find out what she can do for you in your price range.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with buying a cheap kilt till you know for sure whether you are going to like it or not. Surprisingly, not every man does.

Regards

Chas

[Father Bill]

Hi there! You're getting great advice. Save and get a good one; you'll be learning for a while anyway!

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

[JohntheBiker]

Welcome from Toronto, Canada.

If you can afford it, I would suggest that your best value is to purchase a traditional 8yd wool kilt (13oz is fine) from a reliable kilt maker. You will have it for life and it can be used for all purposes. Take your time choosing a tartan, although, as a Campbell I can't fault your current choice.

Good luck!

[McFarkus]

from Chicago. If I were you, I'd save up and get one from Kathy Lare - she is one of the best. In the meantime, you might get a Stillwater kilt, their 'heavyweight' wool kilts run about $140; their acrylic kilts run much less.