First kilt and overall experience from USA Kilts

[IrishRebel79]

I’m brand new to the forum, but wanted to give a shout out to Rocky and his crew at USA Kilts. I’ve had the pleasure of stopping by his store twice, once to place an order and the second time for some personal assistance. I will preface this post that I’m not a guy that really gets all jazzed up about going shopping for clothes, and I personally hate getting measured up for suits, the occasional tuxedo, etc.

I didn’t really know what I was expecting when I walked in the very first time, but I walked in and even though Lucas was on the phone, he immediately greeted me and requested Eric to help me out. In short, Eric was incredibly awesome and the definition of professional. He took the time to explain to me the difference between the casual, semi-traditional, 5 yard, and 8 yard kilts. His knowledge and ability to break things down to a brand new kilt wearer were beyond reproach. He patiently answered any and every question that I had, and with a great attitude the entire time, not to mention his sense of humor. He was incredibly personable and a joy to work with. I went in with the intent of purchasing an Irish National kilt (which I did, 5 yard wool ) and ended up purchasing a Scruffy Wallace tartan in a PV semi-traditional. Being as I'm a massive Dropkick Murphys fan, how could I say no? I ended putting a rush order on both since I needed them by certain dates in March.

Fast forward 3 weeks later. I get a package and to my surprise, it was the two kilts. I was completely blown away by the craftsmanship (thanks Brendan!) and the overall beauty of them both. However, there was a weird issue with the buckles on both, so I drove over to USA Kilts a couple days later on a Saturday. Just like the first time, Lucas greeted me as soon as I walked in the door, and Eric (the greatest salesman of all time) immediately remembered who I was and asked what the problem was since he saw me holding the box with the kilts. I told him that something was wrong because I couldn’t get the straps buckled properly, but said that it could be me being new and doing something wrong. Without a beat he had me try them on one at a time, measured me up again, gave everything a solid once over, then made the determination that there was a slight miscalculation as to where the buckles needs to be sewn. Not to worry, he took my kilts in the back and had the buckles reattached in the appropriate locations while I waited and poked around the store a little bit. The icing on the cake for this entire thing was Rocky himself came out and had me try them on before giving me the final stamp of approval. As I stated at the very beginning here, I personally hate getting measured up for clothing, but like I told Rocky, if the rest of men’s clothing places that sell suits, rent tuxedos, etc., etc. were to operate the way that he and his crew does, the world would be a much better place. Also told him that he’s made a customer for life!

With all that being said, I’m attaching a couple pics. The first is from the local St. Patrick’s Day parade that took place in the beginning of March. I will admit that I was incredibly apprehensive as I have NEVER worn a kilt before outside of the previously mentioned story in USA Kilts. The apprehension came not from what people will think or whatnot, but because the high that day was 30 degrees and with winds blowing 35 mph. I decided to go ahead with it (with compression shorts underneath, I wasn’t risking going regimental with the wind) and experienced trial by cold and wind. As some guys have said on here, it’s not the cold that gets to you, it’s the wind; that’s exactly how I experienced it. Wearing a 5 yard wool Irish National kilt was pretty warm…until the wind blew at just the right angle.



Then on St. Patrick's Day, me and the wife were at a wedding where I went kilted up. In addition to the Irish National kilt, I also had a Kilkenny vest and jacket that I had ordered from Rocky and he put a rush on it to make sure I had it in time. It fit absolutely perfectly and I could not ask for better craftsmanship. The wife's jaw hit the floor when it came in the mail and I put it on the first time. In the pic, she's wearing a matching tartan shawl and brooch (even though she's wearing it like a sash because the embroidery on her dress was chewing her arm up), also from USA Kilts.



This was my first time wearing a kilt formally, and one of the attendees was born and raised in Scotland (who also was kilted up) who told me that I pulled it off beautifully, so I took that as something of a compliment. Told the wife that I think I'm going to make kilts my go to wardrobe for formalwear from here on out. On a completely different side note, the compliments came freely from the ladies, as did the invariable question "what's under the kilt?" I quickly discovered that my reply "the Loch Ness Monster" was a great answer that the ladies got a kick out of, and they let it go at that. A few gents inquired about the kilt and where I got it, so I threw Rocky's name and his company out there in hopes of getting some traffic his direction.

I wore the Scruffy Wallace tartan semi-traditional kilt the following day at a Dropkick Murphys concert in downtown Boston, but totally forgot to get pictures taken with it. I'll find an excuse to throw it on again and make sure some get taken and will repost then.

I realize that this was kinda all over the place, but I wanted to encompass everything. All in all, I cannot begin to recommend Rocky and USA Kilts enough. He and his staff are the ultimate professionals, the kilts and clothing are of top-notch quality, comfortable, and look absolutely amazing. If you're lucky enough to go by Spring City and check his store out in person, by all means do so. I live an hour and a half away and am trying to come up with another reason to go out there. Rocky, thank you again for everything!!! I'm gonna try my best to get back out there again soon!

Slainte!
-Rob

[javankrona]

My grand-babies live in Maryland on the Pennsylvania border. Next visit to the grands will include a visit to Spring City.

[HuDonald]

Welcome to the forum and I'm glad to hear you had a great experience! Mine were the same, with all the staff being professional and personable, always. It's good to know there's still hope left in the world!

Enjoy your kilts! (I have a Scruffy Wallace semi-trad as well!)

[Walkman]

Welcome from Denver, Colorado! Glad to hear that you had a positive experience your first time out in your kilt. I had a Semi-Traditional made in Gordon Modern back in 2012 and couldn't be happier with it. At some point I'll be adding an 8-yard kilt for evening/formal events.

[Tarheel]

Looking good there Rob. Glad to see you're making a showing out in the "real" world. Welcome.

[javankrona]

I'll add to these thoughts: I love and get great comments on my semi-trad Campbell Ancient. While wearing it on a New England cruise last fall, and going back through customs in Nova Scotia, I was asked be the customs agent (referring to my semi-trad), "Lochcarron?" "No," says I; "Marton Mills, polyviscose."

[Nomad]

Welcome, it's good to hear of the high quality and customer focus you received, perhaps when the pound strengthens I'll purchase a semi trad kilt from USA kilts. I'm currently waiting for my first ever kilt to arrive, will take a little longer as its a lightweight tank (full traditional with 13 oz tartan).

I think you looked very good on your first "smart" outing, so we'll done for pulling it off.

[IrishRebel79]

Thank you Rabble, for the kind words! I appreciate the votes of confidence, and look forward to many more kilted adventures!

Slainte!
-Rob

[Pecos8889]

After looking around online (since there aren't many kilt makers in Idaho), I chose USA Kilts. They have an awesome selection of styles and tartans. I chose an 8 yard kilt in the County Leitrim tartan. It fits great and got tons of great comments at the Highland games we attended. Rocky and crew did an awesome job.

Rich

[sergeantmike]

Welcome to the kilted life,
I am so glad to hear that you had a good experience with Rocky and crew at USA Kilts. I ordered a new kilt and plaid in February and am anxiously awaiting "Santa in the brown truck." You and your bride looked wonderful in your photos. Again welcome.


Mike