Seeking a tartan, a kilt, and a new way of life

[Highwayman]

My name is Highwayman, a 24-year old resident of the Chicago suburbs who just finished up graduate school and am currently seeking my first real job in the nonprofit field. I am of Polish-American and Irish-American descent, 50-50 split, and had never in my life imagined wearing a kilt. Then, on my birthday last year, some friends brought me to Bristol Renaissance Faire...That's all it took. Earlier this year, I dipped my toe into the lifestyle by picking up a Tactical Duty Kilt from 5.11 because I am a competitive shooter and found it to be a very amusing accessory to wear to tournaments while everyone else had BDU pants and heavy duty vests. I know it's not the real deal, but still have worn it to some semi-formal social events, to the Faire, and to a couple notable parties where it got a few laughs and nods. I ordered a Stillwater cargo sporran for it which will hopefully arrive tomorrow, I'm headed to the Faire again this weekend and my friends tend to have me hold things in the TDK's cargo pockets.

Oddly enough, later that day my step-mother saw my kilt and asked what my tartan was. Explaining we had none, she told me to look into a Oddly enough, later that day my step-mother saw my kilt and asked what my tartan was. Explaining we had none, she told me to look into a Farquharson or a Christie as they were her mother's tartans. Mentioning it later to some friends, I did find one Tartan I have full right to. I am a very active Freemason, and as this forum reports in a few threads there is a tartan from Utah which some members have embraced as our official one.

Wandering the Faire last Saturday on my birthday, I stopped by the kilt maker's booth and a very pretty girl working the counter bluntly told me 'Your kilt is a dirty lie'. I agreed, and asked for an estimate for a Farquharson model in my size. I was then told it would cost me the exact amount I pay for a month's rent, not counting accessories. So much for that, sadly. Looking online, I was unable to find ready-made budget models of either tartan, but I did find an acrylic model of the Freemason tartan. Mentioning it to some Masons, I was quickly and strongly told to go for wool or not bother.

So, here I am to spend a long while researching, reading, and considering my options if I can ever afford a real kilt. Until then, I'll be off in my black nylon abomination.

[briansbarkery]

A lot of the Great Rabble owns the casual kilts that the kilt makers sell. I have 2 of them cause I am like you, I can't afford the 16 oz tanks just yet. My first kilt was given to me by a member here. It's a Freemason acrylic kilt. My other kilt is an acrylic also in my clan tartan of MacLaren Modern. Nothing wrong with starting out wearing what you can afford. Wear it with pride. Do you know where in Ireland your family comes from? Cause each county in Ireland has their own tartan and you can wear that. Or wear one of the Scottish universal tartans like Black Watch. Anyway welcome to the Great Rabble from a fellow Illinoisan.

[S Mitchell]

Welcome, from Tempe Az!

You can get the Farquharson tartan in Marton Mills' Polyester/viscose from places like USAkilts or Freedom Kilts. USAkilts makes a PV casual kilt which is much less expensive than a wool kilt but still a very nice, well made garment.

[rtown]

Welcome and Hello
I have a Poly/Viscose from USA Kilts. Highly recommend. Wears well and very comfortable.
Also have a 70/30 wool blend. A little heavier and warmer than the P/V but I like it too.

[Tomak]

USA Kilts semi-traditional is also very reasonably priced and looks great. I have actually worn mine to a formal event and seriously doubt that anyone noticed. Take a look at the makers that advertise here. They are all X-marks members and are very generous with their advice and time.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

Check around with some of the advertisers on each page, they can probably take care of you for a good price. I agree that wool is far superior to anything else, but consider a 4 yard box pleat in heavy weight wool. You may be surprised how pleasing it is!

Bill+

[Chas]

Hello Highwayman,

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

[Rick Y]

Welcome, Highwayman, to the XMarks forum from Vancouver, WA. I could give you all sorts of good advice about your kilt situation but I would only be repeating what has been said above and said better than I could have done. Again, welcome.

[JohntheBiker]

Welcome from Toronto, Canada and good luck with your journey.

[ASinclair]

Hello Highwayman!