Finally!

[Jeff_MacDonald]

Tired of hearing me say "I really ought to get a kilt some day",
my wife gave me money towards one last Christmas. Long story
short, it's taken me about a year to put the kit together but,
in one smooth motion, I hereby join the ranks of the kilted,
the Box Pleat Brigade, and the BOIOS. :-)



My kilt is a Matt Newsome box pleat in Locharron strome Isle of
Skye. It is, in every way, one of the finest garments you'll
ever see. The craftsmanship is just superb. It is a work of
art. Need I say more?



I picked up a couple of pants/skirt hangers at Target for
storing my new kilt. What I like about these is that the clips
open up really wide so there's no difficulty getting three
layers of kilt waist into the jaws. You want clips that open up
far enough that you can easily slip the second nuckle of your
index finger into them.



The sporran is a Highlander Sporran from TheInnerBailey.com .
The pouch is a soft, pebbled leather and the flap and
attachments are a smooth saddle leather. You have your choice of
brown or black for the pouch, and brown, chestnut, or black for
the flap, backing, and belt loop. I chose brown and chestnut.
The pouch is large enough that I can easily put both fists into
it. The picture shows it holding a pair of Lewis Kilt Hose with
room left over. Surely there's room for a wallet, phone, a set
of keys, and a copy of War and Peace. The workmanship is very
fine. It's securely, symmetrically stitched, and nicely finished.





The sporran strap is by Ferguson Britt purchased from Matt. It
is a very rugged piece of leather, and also nicely finished. And
I love the traditional way in which it is secured.



The belt is a variation on TheInnerBailey.com's Mercenary Belt.
The buckle is heavy solid brass. The studs are accurately
positioned and as smooth on the inside as they are on the
outside so there's no worry about 'picking' the kilt material.
The leather is handsomely finished and exactly the right weight.
The belt is available in black, brown, chestnut, or tan leather
with either brass or chrome buckle and studs.



Let me say, by the way, that the folks at The Inner Bailey (most
particularly Susan) are some of the nicest you'll ever do
business with. We have exchanged over a dozen emails in the last
year, mostly me asking questions and Susan answering them with
wit and good cheer. When I asked them to resurrect an older
style of belt, and modify it with a particular pattern for the
studs, they were only too happy to oblige. And, after all I put
them through, they sent me a Christmas card and a little leather
bootee to hang on my mantle. These are the kind of folks you
want to buy stuff from, even if you don't need it, just because
the experience is so grand. I cannot recommend The Inner Bailey
highly enough. (Treat her right, Harold; she's a keeper!)

My vest was made by myself from a pattern available from
BuckarooBobbins.com. Given the clear instructions, it's an easy
sew even for a first-timer. This one's not quite finished yet; I
still need to sew up the side seams and such.

The Lewis hose (in Lovat green) and garters are from Matt. I
recommend Matt's new method for tying the garters. Even without
tucking the knot they stay right where you put them.

The bonnie blue bonnet was hand-made for me by a friend using
Diane Jensen's pattern (see russetlodgeknits.blogspot.com). My
friend tells me that the pattern and instructions were very easy
to follow. I can only speak to the result which is very nice,
indeed.

The kilt pin is from 10mmbootlegstudios.com in Yarmouthport on
Cape Cod. I had occasion to drop by and pick this up in person.
Angus is a font of information and I encourage you to spend some
time talking with him if you get the chance.



more pictures to follow...

[Jeff_MacDonald]

In the short time that I've owned one, I've found the kilt to be
a very comfortable and versatile garment. I can't dress it up to
black-tie level yet, and I don't have a jacket for dressy wear,
but the waist coat and a tie will get me in the door most
places.





A light sweater and the belt with boots and some scrunched down
socks works well enough for casual wear.





The bonnet, woolly-pully, and gloves make the outfit warm enough
for anything short of a gale.





If ever I run into Panache in India I'll be ready with my helmet
and safari vest. I'm not quite as well turned out as he is so
I'll likely have to walk *behind* the elephants.



I also happen to have just what I need should I ever find myself
in the western highlands. I think the buckskin shirt and brown
suede vest go very well with the hat and boots, don't you?



Lastly, I've never been to Phillipines but I hope to get there
some day.



I shall return. ;-)

[McMurdo]

Quite a comprehensive write up, welcome to the Isle of Skye Club. What a great bunch of pictures, you look great, congratulations on the new Kilt and Kit.

[McNulty]

Jeff
Now that is one great looking kit! I like the vest pix and how they dress up what you have. Very nice my man.
Nulty

[piperdbh]

That's verra niiice!
I especially like the wetern look. You need a holster with a Colt 45 inside it.
I think I'd wear my new hose with the cowboy boots, pulled up to the right height and tied with Professor Newsome's garters. If you wear a coat with it, though, you'll have to have it tailored to the right length and so forth.
Congrats on the new kit. It all looks very sharp!

[Tim Little]

Fantastic pix!
Happy New Year from just a little way down Rte. 3!

[macwilkin]

You know, General MacArthur's grandfather was a Scottish immigrant.

Todd

[Jeff_MacDonald]

Thank you very much, guys. I appreciate the feedback. Matt's kilts are just the best and the rest of the kit came together quite nicely, I think.

I agree that the Lewis hose would go better with the cowboy boots (though the whole concept is a bit warped). Alas, they're thick enough that I can't get them and my feet into the boots!

[Mael Coluim]

Jeff, you've jumped in with both feet! Great job my man!

[beloitpiper]

Looks great! My favorite outfit is the first waistcoat. Very stylish.