In all of my excitement over finding my son a kilt...

[tartanherring]

I have convinced my husband to get one as well! YAY! I have searched and searched the threads here to try to determine the best kilt to buy as a first kilt for someone who is a bit tentative. While I know opinions vary on the different merchants, perhaps it is the features about which I need to know. For example, will he be happiest with a kilt that has the pleats sewn down?
I'd love to get his and my son's kilts from the same vendor, but I may be limited by my time constraints on my son's kilt--Stillwater may not get his size in in time. So I may have to go with Frugal Corner or Sportkilt for my son.
The choices boggle the mind.
Until I know whther he'll be comfortable in one (husband, that is) I think the top end of what we'd buy for him is a USA Casual, with the others I've considered: Sport Kilt "the works" and Stillwater Standard. If a SW Economy would do the job, I'd consider that, as well, but they don't have what he'd want right now....
I guess, to make the long post longer, I want to get a kilt that will encourage him to wear one, not make him shy away.
So do the features make that big of a difference? What are the features that you like best?
Thanks!
Ansley

[Sealark]

Good Afternoon Tartanherring,

Pleats sewn down and belt loops, kilt belt and sporran. Not sure what for or where the kilts would be worn, casual look, more traditional, renaissance fairs, pub crawls...? By the way, Tir Na Nog is a very nice pub in the center of Raleigh. I didn't have my kilt with me but the pub has a very kilt friendly atmosphere. So that's my two cents worth. Hope the men in your family enjoy their kilts! I love mine!

[tartanherring]

I know Tir Na Nog well. It is just down the street from my work. That will definately be a place to hit when my boys get their kilts!
Thanks!

[auld argonian]

I guess that you'd have to think about the gentleman's nature - and who other than his wife would have a better handle on that - to determine just which way you should go.

The USA Casual is a great choice as is a Stillwater Standard. I have both types and I have my own opinions about them. Remember that the USA Casual is made to be worn on the "jeans waist" and with a standard 1.5" belt. The Stillwater Standard is a stock 24" length and is made to be worn at the "natural waist" and looks best with a wider belt (2.25" or 2.5").

I've often commented about the "girdle effect" that the kilts that are worn at the natural waist have...I have a minor "beer gut" at age 56 and a kilt tightly strapped and belted across the midsection definitely minimizes the belly. With a kilt worn at the jeans waist, the tummy may hang over the waistband. Not knowing the gentleman and certainly not wanting to speculate on his physical build, I just toss that out for your consideration.

As far as fabric is concerned, the USAK PV is thinner than the Stillwater Acrylic but is woven more densely and thus hangs well. The Stillwater Acrylic is "woolier" in the fuzzy sense...kinda cuddly. The PV is smoother but still has a very nice feel to it. Most of us will agree that the Stillwater Acrylic is warmer than the USAK PV but I've worn the PV in the winter with no problem...lots of Xsmarksers opt for the PV if they live in the warmer latitudes since it tends to be a bit cooler in warm weather. Each has it's advantages. When it comes to tartan selection, USAK has more. When it comes to starship-like warp speed delivery, Stillwater has the edge.

So will the gentleman be going for a casual look or a more dressy look? Check out the threads on Casual Look/Dressy Look elsewhere on the forum. For me, casual invariably involves a black t-shirt, "scroonched" (there's a word that you have to learn) kilt socks and hiking boots. An intermediate look is wearing a military style long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the kilt hose worn up and cuffed. Step it up and ya go to the dress shirt, necktie and a vest...further along is wearing the jacket (crail or argyle) and at the "pinnochle" (apologies to Norm Crosby) of dressy is the full blown Prince Charlie jacket ensemble. My observation is that a lot of the guys tend to dress in a more traditional style...I personally try to keep elements of the tradition while bending things toward a more contemporary look...purely my own thing and almost everyone here will agree that what works for you is what you should go for.

In either case a sporran is a must for a good kilted look...these can be simple or way overboard. A basic model can be inexpensive but if they become available, I'd suggest that you take a look at the Stillwater Nightstalker sporrans (unfortunately not available as of this writing but hopefully Jerry will restock soon). I have both the ballistic nylon and leather models and they look great and are very functional...in fact, I'd venture that even if you husband decides that he don't like the kilt, he'll probably want to hang on to the Nightstalker sporran because it carries so much of that extra stuff that we all accumulate and looks considerably more manly than a (don't freak out here, UK cousins) fanny pack*.

So ya got options. If this isn't going to be a surprise, may I suggest that you and the gentleman in question sit down at the computer and look at the photos that have been posted on this forum. Just ask him what looks good to him and you'll get some guidelines. You couldn't go wrong with either a Stillwater Standard or a USAK Casual.

Best

AA


*....apparently the word "fanny" has a WHOLE different meaning in the UK and any reference to a "fanny pack" invariably sets off a series of post from our friends in England who just want to remind us about that.

[tartanherring]

Oh this is great information. I had not caught on about the "jeans" waist. I'll have to talk with him about that. I *think* that this would be for casual wear--maybe a restaurant...maybe work. A family gathering to be sure. I envision him just wearing a regular polo shirt or t-shirt. That's why I'm encouraging the Black Watch or Nightstalker--something that he can wear an orange (or whatever color) polo shirt with.
So the waist--that is a factor I've not even considered.
Thank you!
(My husband is from up your way--a Univ. of Chicago grad--but he's a converted Southerner now.)

[ScottEPooh]

Having both Stillwater Economies and a USA Casual, I would recommend the USA, if you don't mind the higher price. The Poly-Viscose that the USA is made of holds a pleat better, if you are driving, sitting, etc, and the teflon coating makes it almost stain-proof. Now, having said that, I have worn one of the buckles off my first Stillwater (Wallace tartan), and wear my other Stillwater (Black Watch) often. So, that's my 2 cents. But as many will point out, the low intro price of the Stillwater Economy makes it very appealing, and you can't really go wrong with either. Hope that helps, or at least doesn't muddle the waters more....

[Carolina Kiltman]

From the Cape Fear River Valley, NC. Sorry I cannot be of help on the kilt bit, as I tend to go for the more traditional myself and that is all I own. From what I have seen, Sport Kilt, one of our sponsors, does a nice job on both Kid's and Adult kilts. Personally I would go for the sewn down pleats on His, along with the buckles. That way you can have a pair of matching kilts. Since I do not know his figure, (and I'm not going to ask) there has been a lot of good advice given so far.

[Buckskin]

I'm a big fan of the SWK Standard and the Frugal Corner 16oz. I tend to shy away from the economy kilts, especially if this will be your first and maybe the only one for awhile. Frugal Corner looks to have a fair kids sellection as well.

[zeeew]

I believe USAK will make a casual however you want, either jeans or true waist. Instructions for both measurement styles are on the casual kilt measuring page. Also had 3" belt loops added, no charge.