trying to get my friend into a kilt!

[seamus]

so of course, as is the way of things, my friend asked me to help him find a kilt, cuz he wants one. of course he does. so, i want to find him a good one. first, he's not tied to a clan, so what are some good generic/district tartans? also, my first was a USAK, and i really like rocky and stuff, and i just wanted to know what kind of quality he's got right now. i mean, when i got mine they were still a baby company, and now theyve got philabegs and poly-viscose...so how are their philabeg kilts? any other recommendations for a rather affordable first kilt? thanks gents.

(by the way, i really did try a search)

[macwilkin]

What is his last name? There may be a tartan connection as a District Tartan, and there are even recommended tartans for non-Scots as well. I would be happy to check my coppy of "Tartan for Me!" to see what I could find out.

Some good general tartans are:

Stewart Hunting
Caledonia
Scottish National
Flower o' Scotland
US St. Andrews

Cheers,

T.

[Mike n NC]

I have several of USAK's philabeg kilts and really like them a lot. I don't think you have to worry about Rocky and Kelly turning out a quality product, practice makes a better product and I've not seen a bad one yet. Their Philabegs are as easy to wear as the casual, have a lot of the looks of the traditional and the p-v makes care a breeze, hard to beat for the price. I think they would make a great "starter" kilt for your friend.
That said, I know there are many makers out there offering casual/philabeg type/starter kilts for reasonable prices. Look around.

Mike

[Jeremy]

The Philabeg is a nice looking starter kilt. I know several people who have them. The poly-viscose is a lot easier to take care of that wool, and hangs better than some of the heavier canvas/denim kilts that are out. I must say now that I didn't intend that as a dig- I have two UK workman models. I've found that they require some practice and care, otherwise they tend to flare out a bit.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

First off, unless cost is an issue, I really advise people to get a traditional woolen kilt made by an experienced kilt maker. You can get a 4-yard casual kilt now for between $300-$350 on average, which isn't that bad for an heirloom item that is going to outlast you if you treat it well.

So, my unsolicited advise over with, I'll be glad to give some reccomendations on tartans. If he does not want to wear the tartan of a particular clan or district, he might consider:

The Caledonia Tartan
The United States St. Andrew tartan (assuming he is American)
The Flower of Scotland
Jacobite
Scottish National
Pride of Scotland

These are just off the top of my head. There are more, and individual mills often have their own house tartans. Lochcarron has recently introduced a line of "Heirloom tartans" in a 13 oz weight in some very soft, nice colors, that include several general use designs.

I would also reccomend he think about getting a tweed kilt, or one of a solid color wool, as an alternative to tartan. These are just as nice, just as traditional, but often neglected. I'm wearing a nice blue tweek kilt as I write this and get compliments on it regularly.

Also, if he just wants a good kilt at a good price and doesn't care what tartan it is, he can keep a lookout for a second-hand kilt in his waist size. I once picked up an 80 year old MacGregor kilt, heavy wool, pleated to stripe, that I saw at auction. I have no ties to the clan whatsoever, but got it beacuse it was a beautiful heirloom item, it was just my size, and only $75.00. How could I resist!?

Aye,
Matt Newsome

[zeytoun]

ScottishKilts.net has some stock kilts available for quite a bit less then a handmade, if cost is an issue and your friend has an easy to fit body shape. They have them in a couple generic tartans. Take a look at the Scottish national. Blackwatch and Royal Stewart are great tartans, but I see them so much it doesn't feel as special to me.

[Graham]

Hi seamus, lot's of choices aren't there! It must be confusing, but all the advice here I agree with.

The USAK poly vis are great, I have several, they are great for work and play and are very tough.

Pure Scottish wool is wonderful when only the best will do. I wear mine for going out, special occassions or just when it's cold. I wouldn't wear it the beach.

So I guess it comes down to lifestyle and what your friend wants.
Whatever he chooses, warn him that they are addictive and he won't want to take it off!

[Riverkilt]

Hey Seamus,

As prolific as Scotsmen have been over the centuries I'm guessing if your friend goes back a few generations he'll find a clan.

A Navajo guy came up to me on the reservation and said he was part Scot...wanted info on kilts.

Genealogy, or questioning elders, is the ticket to finding a clan...

Ron

[Buddha]

Rocky and Kelly effing rock. I've got 3 for myself right now (plus 5 AK's, but they hardly get work anymore), plus my 2 yr old daughter wanted one, so she has one, and my newborn son will be baptized in a USAK...

[elijah]

Well, for King Kilts, we can make him a Kilt that's going to be inexpensive in plaid, but there are a lot of nice plaids that almost look like tartans.