Prom advice

[Coemgen]

I am a senior in high school, and am currently preparing a budget to pay for my senior prom. I plan on wearing a kilt (with, of course, a Prince Charlie jacket, etc.), but due to the constraints on my ability to earn large sums of money, I need to find a kilt and its various accouterments for less than it costs to get one made in Scotland and then shipped over here. Surveying my current meagre highlandwear wardrobe, I find that I currently lack:

• a kilt better than my SportKilt (I was thinking either Royal Stewart [the tartan used by my school's sports teams (the Glendora Tartans) and our pipe band] or Saffron [I'm of Irish descent]);
• a fly plaid (and a brooch for it);
• a dress sporran;
• ghillie brogues;
• nicer hose than I have;
• kilt belt and buckle;

I would appreciate anyone who can point me in the right direction as far which venues of kiltwear offer these products with the best quality at the lowest price (i.e., most bang for my buck).

Also, which would be more appropriate to wear to prom, a balmoral or a glengarry?

[Caradoc]

Also, which would be more appropriate to wear to prom, a balmoral or a glengarry?

If it's indoors, neither. You'd end up putting it down somewhere if you had to leave it off all night anyway.

Other than that, I can only recommend lots of shopping - both on the regular websites of the XMarks advertisers, and on eBay.

[Irish in Tacoma]

You might think about renting. Most people don't go out and buy a tuxedo for a wedding. Do you have any shops nearby that rent kilts?

[David Dalglish]

Always lots of bargins on E-bay--keep looking you never know what will turn up

[Bob C]

Rental is a good idea. Most shops can rent you a Royal Stewart and everything you need.

If you're set on buying, consider a Stillwater Kilts standarad (Stillwater advertises here - look for the link) and, as David said, watch ebay for the stuff you need.

[mkmound]

Always lots of bargins on E-bay--keep looking you never know what will turn up

Look around on e-Bay . . . then ask here about the vendors involved. If someone here knows about them, they'll be happy to let you know.

I agree with the comment about renting . . . for a PC outfit, you can expect to pay upwards of $100 USD, or a bit less for an Argyll outfit. If you decide to go the full outfit, consider our XMarks sponsors, e.g., Kilt Store. They, for one, offer a discount to XMarks members. Or, you can rent parts, like the PC and vest (waistcoat) and dress sporran, and buy a kilt.

Good plan to start early!!

And welcome to XMarks from North Texas!!

[Canadian_Kilt]

Or, you can rent parts, like the PC and vest (waistcoat) and dress sporran, and buy a kilt.

This is what I've done for my wedding. I do intend to buy the full outfit eventually, but it's just too much money to do all at once. So I'm renting the jacket, vest and shoes. I've bought the kilt and plaid, and will be buying the Sporran when I find one I like.

[O'Neille]

Get a nice kilt that won't break the bank. Stillwater (wool heavyweight) if the length is right. Skip the fly and hat. Get some nice hose and some regular brogues (outlet mall shoe stores around $50) unless you must have ghillies for twice the price. Then all you need is an Argyle or P.C./vest and you're good to go. Remember to get your extras from SWK while ordering the kilt and save a bundle on shipping if you went to various vendors. O'Neille

[Pete911]

I suggest that you go down the hire line unless you think that you will get a lot of wear from your purchases. Of course you could buy the kilt and hire the jacket etc. Bugpiper on Ebay is excellant. Good luck!

[MacTavishOfJapan]

I would say to check out Stillwater and USA Kilts.

If you are on a budget perhaps think about ditching the fly plaid it is VERY formal, I wouldn't wear one to my own wedding - something to consider. Forgo the hat, you don't need it and if you were to wear a plaid you could be heading towards looking like a characterture. IMO

Perhaps just aim for something simple, elegantly formal and classy, I.E. a kilt and prince charlie. Maybe have a look through this thread for formal dress ideas.