Hello, World!

[kilted253]

Hello Everyone -

I currently have no kilts. I gave my SWK "Premium" kilt away when I lost a bunch of weight. This was a bad idea, as six years later I am fat again, but now kiltless. I came to XMtS to get information on a WWI Canadian CEF piper's sporran that I discovered at an antique shop on the California coast [http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...porran-92923/]. I knew I'd found a great find the moment I saw it, and I'm really excited to have an awesome sporran. Now I need a kilt again. Damn.

I've been here before, many years ago, as I found out about SWK from this site. It's been so long, however, that I have no idea what username or e-mail might have been associated...

I'm a resident of Tacoma, Washington. I lived in Scotland with my (also American) wife for 3 years where I did studies and had a baby, and I try to get back at least once a year... I love haggis, whisky and whiskey. We'd live in Scotland if one could make a decent living in technology over there compared to the West Coast...it's a wonderful place with wonderful tradition.

I am poking around right now looking for the best provider of kilts... I'll certainly take recommendations! When I tried out the SWK, I wanted to see if I liked the wool kilt - and I did well enough to want to get a better quality proper kilt. The SWK is too long, the wool isn't the best, and so I figure it's time to invest in the "real deal".

I'm looking for a complete 8y traditional in my choice of tartan (clan tartan) with the full dress outfit. It looks to be about $1500 at usakilts (everything including accoutrement, fly and brogues, with the top-sewn kilt). Are there better deals to be had with Canadian sellers or how does one find out about solid seamstresses/seamstress(ers?) who do bespoke work? I've seen it mentioned on the site, but it isn't completely straightforward who is active and cranking out high quality product...I'll keep poking at it.

Anyway - a "hello" to you all! Thanks for all the help so far!

[Steve Ashton]

A good start would be with the advertisers on this forum. All of them are current and active. All are vetted by me and have the highest standards of business and ethics.

You can even go to the individual advertisers dedicated forum section and speak to them directly.

[Tarheel]

Well met new friend. Good luck with your quest and hope you will consult with our advertisers first. Glad to have you with us and request photos when your choice is made.

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

[Taskr]

Welcome,

A ferry ride would get you to Victoria, BC and a place called Freedom Kilts

[kilted253]

Hey, any reason to go to Victoria is a good one in my mind...

[The Wizard of BC]

Well, as someone has brought up my name - - -

There are a lot of kilt shops that do not actually make the kilts they sell. Many on-line sources order in bulk from Pakistan. At FK we prefer to sit with our customers and have you describe your perfect kilt. We then go in the back and sew it.

This does require our customers to have a little fore-knowledge of what they want before they walk into the shop.

The first question I will ask is - "What do you want to do in your kilt?" This will help me lead you towards the best kilt based on how and where you intend to wear it.

If you want a Tartan kilt it would be helpful if you know which Tartan. It is also confusing to some when they say, for example, "Stewart" and I ask in return "Which Stewart" as there are about 26 different Tartans under that name.

Then it is also a good idea to know that the terms Modern, Ancient, Weathered, Reproduction, and Muted often mean nothing other than a color change. The modifier "Modern" will often be applied to a Tartan to mean what the design looks like when dyed with modern dyes. Ancient will often be the exact same design but the colors may be changed to simulate what the Tartan may have looked like if dyed with natural dyes.

Then I will advise you, based on what you tell me about the events you plan to attend, on what accessories would be appropriate. See, the kilt is not a uniform. it can be worn as part of a uniform, but other than for a band or the military we use the conventions from normal dressing. If you are going to attend formal events where the guys in trousers would be wearing tuxedos, then we will advise that the Prince Charlie Coattee is the kilted equivalent to a Tux. The Prince Charlie is worn only for those black tie events.

Finally I will advise about colors. It is very common for guys to think that they must build the colors of their entire outfit based on the colors in their kilt. I prefer to look at dressing by looking at the whole outfit. We want our kilt to be the centerpiece of our outfit. We want the Tartan to shine. And artist will tell you that if you match the colors of the accessories to the kilt the Tartan will begin to blend into the background.
A good example of this idea is to look at pictures of weddings. If the guys did not all rent their kilt outfits from the same place, it would be very common for the jacket, shirt, tie, hose and shoes to be the same or at least the same level or formality. Yet each guy would be wearing his own kilt. All those different Tartans and the outfits still look right. So the idea that everything must match the kilt sort of goes out the window.

And finally I will caution new guys not to take what they see on the web as gospel. It is quite common to see some of the companies who sell "Full, Authentic Scottish Outfits" to show Ghillie brogues, white hose held up with Tartan flashes, a big, fuzzy bright sporran, A Prince Charlie plus waistcoat worn during the day with a belt, a ruche tie and a fly plaid. Then every piece of jewelry will have the Clan Crest on it. Sorry, we call this the "Matchy Matchy Look".

There is no written rule that you must wear Ghilie Brogues. White hose will often be associated with rental outfits. Tartan flashes are a gimmick of some kilt makers. Guys never wear a belt and a vest at the same time. (one or the other). And Fly Plaids are not more 'traditional'. Actually many guys today find them to be cumbersome and have the nasty habit of sweeping drinks right off the table as you walk by. Do even get me started on ruche ties.

I can tell you this for a fact though. If you wish to come to Victoria you will be made welcome. We never forget that it is your hard earned money that you will be laying down. You deserve the best we have.

And please remember - We are only a post here, an email, phone call or Skype call away.

[Famous Willie]

Welcome Sir, I'm only new here myself, but have found lots of wonderful advice from the other members.
Come Sit and Rest a Spell.

[WillowEstate]

Hi and a warm welcome from sunny Queensland!