Introduction / a working man's kilt

[huntley]

Hello all,
Glad to be here. I've been taking full advantage of the search tool the past couple of days and decided it was time to make a membership!
I'm a dog trainer living in the mountains of North Carolina with a lineage going back to the Huntly/Gordon clan.
I'm excited to be a part of the community!

It may not be the place, but I'm looking into my first kilt and wanted to get some advice from everyone.
I spend tons of time outside working with dogs... Drooly, furry, bitey, scratchy, jumpy, dogs, and hence, I'm looking for a kilt that can take the abuse (at least for my first one). While I love the traditional formal wear, it doesn't exactly jive with my day to day attire while working dogs.

Typically I wear boots, jeans, t-shirts, polos, hoodies, or sweater, and the occasional button up with khakis when meeting a high value client.
I've looked into Sportkilts "the works" Gordon tartan, mountain hardwares elkommando, USA Kilts casual Gordon mod., utilikilts, and their Amazon clone. I really like my clans tartan and feel as though it's a suiting entry into kilt wearing, although I also appreciate the more utilitarian canvas kilts. There are so many options that I feel fit my needs, I was just hoping I could receive a couple of reccomendations from the experienced wearers here! I'm hoping to get one relatively quickly (within a couple weeks) and am hoping to keep everything at or less than $250.

Thanks so much everyone! Again, happy to be here.

[Geoff Withnell]

Welcome.

You have definitely come to the right place.

As far as your tartan options, I think the USAK Casual Gordon is far and away your best bet. The ease of care on the Casual is legendary. And I have an American Heritage casual that is seven years old, and been through the mill, and still looks good.

[kiltedcontractor]

Welcome to the party. I imagine duck or canvas would resist dog clawing more than pv fabric. I agree that if a tartan is your preference. .....usa kilt is an excellent choice. Wash and hang, no ironing necessary.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

[ASinclair]

[Jock Scot]

Welcome from Inverness-shire. Just something to consider. The wool kilt, particularly with a canvas apron, has served the Scottish Highland Regiments through much worse conditions than you describe AND was often expected to parade smartly in front of assorted dignitaries shortly after leaving the front line, in the same kilt!

Take this brave fellow escorting prisoners to the rear just after an enemy position had been taken. The kilt seems to have survived pretty well.

[ratspike]

Welcome aboard! I work with dogs also, at a no-kill shelter, and wear a kilt probably 90% of the time. Just as practical as pants or shorts and a lot more comfortable when it's warm. Really cold days are a challenge because I'm essentially outside all the time and not always moving enough to stay warm. In that case it's wool tights under a kilt or pants.

[James Hood]

Amazing photo, thank you for sharing!

It appears the two Soldaten of the Kaiser have been given the honour of presenting two Maxim-Spandau MG-08 "light" m*chine g*ns to their British captors. Likely they would have been relieved of all amm*nition and the extra 30+ lb weights (plus whatever kit they were lugging) made them "less frisky." Still, odds are they were thrilled to be headed for the safety of a POW camp. Note how the Jock has his gas mask bag right in front; 'might be a "bad neighbourhood" they are in.

Personal fave rough duty kilts are 5.11 Tactical Duty Kilts in ripstop solid colours (and the camo one hides stains well). They are "traditionally" offered for sale after April 1, tho "rules" seem changeable.

[MinusHD]

Welcome from North Texas. In give a on the USA Kilts Causal for ease of care a price. There are numerous utility-style kilts that might fit your purpose. I'd suggest talking to Steve at Angry Bastard Kilts. It's a fairly new company and I'm actively looking into his products and it's been a pleasure dealing with him. They seem to be very heavy duty and all American made.

http://angrybastardkilts.com/

Tell Steve that Minus sent you. He's a good guy.

[IsaacW]

For an abuse taking kilt... you can not beat a regimental weight wool, military kilt (as stated by Jock). When outdoors and beating around in a kilt (even with my dogs) I have a military Black Watch kilt that I love. With you being a Gordon, I would keep your eyes open to Ebay and other online sellers of used items. Gordon Highlander kilts come up on occasion and, depending your size, may be an option. The biggest issue I could see would be heat with your location.