Kilt don't fail me now

[JasonMc]

Hello all,

I'm new to the board and am in the process of getting my first canvas (utili)kilt.

I'll be checking around for how folks from warmer climes deal with their kilts. I hail from Santa Rosa, California where we get lots of relatively cold marine air during summer mornings, but most of the time it's beautiful and warm.

My first canvas kilt came in and I got to wear it for a day until I notice one of the buttons needed to be fixed, so it's being returned. For that day I really appreciated what an excellent garment the kilt can be and my wife is now girding herself for seeing her husband in one on a regular basis. I am struggling with how to balance my interest in buying a tartan kilt, plus the various accouterments that should accompany, against the total cost of the tartan kilts. Any thoughts on building the new wardrobe and how to progress would be appreciated. At this point, I can't say I'll never buy a full 8-yard 16 oz wool kilt, but boy can they be expensive and I really have a thing for quality over quantity, so it's probably the 'economy' kilts for me.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

Good luck with your new addiction.

[Taskr]

Welcome to the forum and a new style of comfortable clothing.

Thankfully, you probably already have a lot of what you need to wear with a wool tartan kilt. Well, shirts and shoes at least. Add a tie and you're already better dressed than a lot of folks. A good quality yet inexpensive sporran can be found at reputable shops and with advertisers here on the forum. If you have any ability at all, making one is not difficult (I did and without the proper tools). You don't need a lot of hose, especially since they hand wash easily and dry overnight. A belt is nice but not required. Search around the forum,. Lots of thoughts nd ideas on what the "minimum" needs are for a respectable outfit.

Utility kilts seem far simpler to add shirt and shoes/sandals to. You'll find discussions on the forum on those styles too.

[Tarheel]

Well met JasonMc. I expect more than a few of the members from your area will pipe in with suggestions and support. I advise taking your time with the "kilted all the time" and get your wardrobe together slowly (for the expensive items). Otherwise, being kilted fulltime is just as easy as any other day with clothes. Welcome to the Rabble.

[dougle]

[GrainReaper]

Welcome to the rabble! I've not been to Santa Rosa in a number of years, but I recall it being quite lovely, the bulk of the California coast mid-state and northward particularly hits a spot with me. Amazing bit of America....

[ASinclair]

Hello!

and

.... I am struggling with how to balance my interest in buying a tartan kilt, plus the various accouterments that should accompany, against the total cost of the tartan kilts. Any thoughts on building the new wardrobe and how to progress would be appreciated. ....

Read this book =>

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[plaid preacher]

Greetings Jason, and welcome to the Rabble. I think to answer your question about how to build an outfit, I would say most of us have done it slowly over time. The foundation is the kilt - naturally - and you are correct they can be expense, but maybe not as bad as you think. A quality kilt is worth the investment, trust me. I have never regretting parting with the cash. Along with the kilt, hose and a leather sporran is all you need to start. You can then dress up and down with a golf shirt or dress shirt and tie. And since you are in a warmer climate, that might be all you need. Next would be a nice tweed jacket - that is considered day wear. I have been able to get most things I need economically on Ebay, although now I am picking up little pieces here and then to complete things. Depending on your size, there can be some great deals online. But my encouragement would be, buy a fine kilt and wear it with pride.

[JohntheBiker]

Welcome Jason from Toronto, Canada.