Leatherneck Tartan Kilt from Kathy Lare

**Riverkilt** · 25th March 07, 02:19 PM

The kilt arrived yesterday...#51 for me - I think...that's not a careful count. I didn't strap it on until today. Wow!! What a feeling it is to strap on a Leatherneck tartan!! Semper Fi! OoooRAH!

I wanted my Leatherneck tartan to be top of the line. I finally broke down and ordered one, mostly in memory of my late little brother Rory Macdonald who was a USMC Staff Sergeant and Drill Instructor for many years...and also for my brief Cold War service in '65 and '66.

Material is 13 oz from Strathmore Mills. Kathy Lare of Kathy's Kilts is the kiltmaker - the 8th kilt she's sewn for me. Quality is perfect.

I added the USMC Kilt pin and black USMC SSgt collar insignia by the kilt pin in Rory's honor. Not sure I'll keep that, there's only one pin and the insignia twists around too easily...and, its hard to see against the tartan.

And, now my mini KaBar Skein Dubh has a kilt to go with it.

The Leatherneck Tartan goes with a lot of different colored accessories. Took some pics of the various looks using t-shirts, but wanted to see what works. Didn't have any royal blue hose, but there's royal blue in the tartan too.

Here's a close up of Kathy Lare's PERFECT pleatwork. It was a bit windy out and the wind is teasing the edges of the kilt.

Here's with red trim. Just ordered some Red Lewis kilt hose from Matt, I think the "red look" works okay.

Here's with the gold trim.

With black accessories.

With Olive Drab.

And with Khaki.

Pics are from a tourist overlook with a 360 degree view of the area. As I was finishing up - wearing the gold - a young couple from Israel drove up and the very attractive lady said ever so politely, "I see you're wearing your traditional garments, are you from Scotland?" I explained I did have Scottish ancestry but was just a local kilt junkie. Then she asked to take my photo. And of course I let her. When she asked "why?" I wore kilts I told her, "If I wanted to dress like a woman I'd wear pants." She was wearing pants and cracked up.

Anyhow, I'm VERY pleased with this kilt. Happy I finally broke down and bought it. And, that because of its importance to me, that I went ahead and did it "top of the line."

That's eight kilts from Kathy Lare now www.kathyskilts.com and she's never failed me. Perfection every time.

And thanks to all you Jarheads out there that egged me into ordering this kilt. You were right!

Semper Fi!

Ron

**Splash_4** · 25th March 07, 02:23 PM

Ron, as always, those are stunning photos of a great kilt in even greater surroundings. My this kilt bring you much pleasure and many memories!

**Arlen** · 25th March 07, 02:32 PM

Wonderful pictures and sentiments, Ron. And a really beautiful kilt to go with it.
I totally applaud you wanting to go for the very best to honour your brother and all of the other marines.
He'd be proud of you.

**Fearnest** · 25th March 07, 02:34 PM

Ron, great pictures - and a great kilt! Enjoy it!

**cessna152towser** · 25th March 07, 02:36 PM

That's a superb kilt, Ron and it goes well with all the colours of your acessories. You would know to expect good quality having previously sourced your material from Strathmore and kiltbuilding from Kath Lare for your RAF kilt - it sounds like you have a winning combination there. Now you have kilts from the same source to honour your brother and your father.

**beloitpiper** · 25th March 07, 02:41 PM

Cool! You should share photos of the kilt pin and whatnot also.

**Riverkilt** · 25th March 07, 03:14 PM

Here's a pic of the kilt pin, shows better on a webpage

http://www.scotyard.com/index.cfm/a/...tShow/catid/70

The collar insignia is just that, standard USMC SSgt insignia.

Ron

**Scott Gilmore** · 25th March 07, 04:20 PM

Beautiful. Man, what pleat work. Very nice.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 25th March 07, 04:55 PM

It's about time Ron!

Beautiful.

**Hamish** · 25th March 07, 05:05 PM

Congratulations, Ron. What a truly beautiful tartan (I do not think I have seen that one before) - it is gorgeous - and a fine Kathy Kilt to boot! Wonderful!

In my opinion - not that you asked for it! - I think the black accessories work best with this kilt, as in your first photo. Black allows the tartan to speak for itself and to shine. The brighter colours force the tartan to fight for survival and tend to overwhelm it. Just my thoughts en passant, as it were!