hello from West Palm beach

[Rexxx]

Hi.

I am new here and will be traveling to the UK in two months. I finally did some research and found my last name, Noble, is an sept of Mackintosh, so I am going to have a kilt made outside Edinburgh. I am happy I found this out, because combined with DNA results from Ancestry.com and Familytree showing Scottish results, there may be a good connection in my roots.

I think I am choosing a Mackintosh modern or ancient tartan, but I wonder what color coat or tweed and Sporrin combo it would actually look good with. I don't know if this is the right forum for that question, but it would be nice to know what others think, because the modern tartan is very loud in its colors.

I think I am going to go straight to a military box pleat, as it seems that everybody likes that look.

biggest question I have: Go for the 16 oz wool so it will last forever, and just deal with the heat, or 13oz?

Otherwise, I look forward to being a part of this community. I also wonder where the nearest highland games are in mid to south Florida

Respectfully,
Rex

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

Colour is insignificant - your kilt is your kilt is your kilt and need not be matched. Military box pleats are unusual; knife pleats are the most common, but what about going with the 16 oz which will stand up well and a regular box pleat (which may be hard to find in Scotland as it's a revival item) and go with the 16 oz. A regular box pleated to the stripe will be less cloth, should be less expensive, and having less cloth will be slightly cooler.

I attach pictures of my hunting Sinclair 16 oz box pleated to the stripe as an example.

Good luck with your plans!

[Taskr]

Hi Rex, welcome.

If you are going hard-core traditional a 16oz tank is the way to go. But, Father Bill has some good advice on 16oz for longevity and box-pleat for comfort in your southern climate. And, Matt Newsome tells us that the box-pleat is traditional too!! Though I have to admit, a 160z, 8yd knife pleat kilt sure feels good to walk in - and looks good based on compliments received (that is a very handsome box pleat, btw, FB)

On your jacket and sporran question - what is the intent for wear? Depending on the type and formality of the events you intend to wear the kit, the decisions on choice of jackets and sporran can vary. Many will say that the colours of jacket, hose, and shirts should compliment the kilt and not match - lets the kilt remain the center piece of the whole outfit. Others don't mind matchy-matchy at all. Personal preference and style rule Be wary of the "semi-formal" sporran since that doesn't really mean anything. Finding a quality plain one is a good place to start with a sporran. If you haven't yet seen it, having a look at this thread highlights the versatility of the kilt. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=46888

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[Jock Scot]

Hi Rex, welcome.

If you are going hard-core traditional a 16oz tank is the way to go. But, Father Bill has some good advice on 16oz for longevity and box-pleat for comfort in your southern climate. And, Matt Newsome tells us that the box-pleat is traditional too!! Though I have to admit, a 160z, 8yd knife pleat kilt sure feels good to walk in - and looks good based on compliments received (that is a very handsome box pleat, btw, FB)

On your jacket and sporran question - what is the intent for wear? Depending on the type and formality of the events you intend to wear the kit, the decisions on choice of jackets and sporran can vary. Many will say that the colours of jacket, hose, and shirts should compliment the kilt and not match - lets the kilt remain the center piece of the whole outfit. Others don't mind matchy-matchy at all. Personal preference and style rule Be wary of the "semi-formal" sporran since that doesn't really mean anything. Finding a quality plain one is a good place to start with a sporran. If you haven't yet seen it, having a look at this thread highlights the versatility of the kilt. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=46888

The box pleat is almost unheard of in Scotland these days in civilian terms and haven't been for the best part of a century and as much as I respect Matts knowledge on box pleated kilts, I respectfully would class the box pleated kilt as more of a historical garment rather than traditional and would be regarded as an oddity by many here.

A word of warning, unless you inform the kilt maker to the contrary, the Scottish kilt maker will almost certainly make the kilt pleated to the sett and knife pleated. If you want it pleated to the stripe----a common choice outwith Scotland----then make sure that the kilt maker understands what you intend.

[ThistleDown]

Hello Rex, and welcome for another 'Rex'. I'm in Inverness-shire and British Columbia.

[Tarheel]

Well met Rex. I concur with Father Bill and Taskr on the weight and pleating of your soon-to-be kilt. I would choose a black sporran (hunting style) for its function and look (that blends with almost all occasions). If I were you, I'd choose a jacket that is light weight and tone (color) in a Saxon style (a modern jacket converted and designed to accommodate a kilt). The combination could be dressed up or down and not be a burden in the Florida heat for a variety of social functions.

Glad to have you with us and hope the trip to Scotland is fruitful.

[Rexxx]

Ok! Thank you for the advice. I will definitely choose 16oz (18oz if I can find it).

does anybody have Mackintosh kilts to let me glance at so I can judge what I like better, set vs stripe?

Thank you in advance.

[Kiltedjohn]

Welcome from a Scotsman living in the English midlands.
Hope you have a great trip to the UK when the time comes.

[Taskr]

Rex - your kilt maker should be able to send to you a few photos of pleating options. You might also try to google images of "pleating macintosh tartan"