Your Thoughts of the following

[MrShoe]

I was hoping to find answers to my question in the FAQ section, but it is blank.
So, here it goes.

I am in the market for my first kilt. I promised my buddy when he came back from Afghanistan we would go out St Patrick's day together...kilted.

In addition, I will be walking with my family as we join our Dad as he will Grand Marshal our St. Patrick's day parade.

I know what I want to buy, but that will have to wait till I have the proper funds. So.... I have to buy my second kilt first...or is it my first kilt second...or is it...well what ever. Saffron PV is my desire just like Stilletto-Rebel's. I am scraping enough together to set myself the best inexpensive outfit I can.

My research has led me to the following sellers and I'm looking for opinions

Tartanista -Ebay provider that I am sure I would not be happy w/quality
KiltMart.co - who is temporarily out of commission for a month.
Scotishkilt.net
The Scotland Kilt Co.
Heritage of Scotland
Still Water Kilt

Those in red only have the Heritage of Ireland as an option for me as does SWK. But SWK does have the saffron.

I want to wear my outfit the right way to. What should I look for to be proper in a parade as well as at the pub later in the evening?

Thank you in advance for all you assistance.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

I only have experience with Stillwater but it is 110% positive. Even though I have wool kilts now, the Acrylic still looks great and I like it, for what it is. I realize it probably won't last as long and look as good as a higher priced one after awhile, but it's been good to me. Jerry's service is great.

[dfmacliam]

Why not a USACasual kilt in the Irish National or the Tara? I have a Tara casual and really like it.. And it's affordable, pv, and made to measure. I also think the SWK Heavyweight is a good choice.. and they come in both Saffron and Solid Green.. At about $120.00 plus shipping.. A very good deal.

[RB51]

You can't go wrong with a kilt from SWK, I found the prices and service to be outstanding. I've also had good service form HoS, but admittedly haven't bought a kilt from them. As others will no doubt advise, buy the best in the way of accessories that you can afford; you won't be sorry in the long run. Enjoy the experience being kilted in the parade, and welcome to the rabble.

Laurie

[Nighthawk]

You can't go wrong with a kilt from SWK, I found the prices and service to be outstanding. I've also had good service form HoS, but admittedly haven't bought a kilt from them. As others will no doubt advise, buy the best in the way of accessories that you can afford; you won't be sorry in the long run. Enjoy the experience being kilted in the parade, and welcome to the rabble.

Laurie

What he said!

On the other hand... as much as I like my Stillwaters, USA Kilts is much better. They offer saffron in their semicasual range. If you like in a reletively warm climate, I would advise a USA Kilts semitrad. If you, like me, live in a mountain climate, then wool is the best way to go, and Stillwater will fill the bill just fine. I was in Denver's Tartan Day festival last year, and it was cold! There was no way my USA Kilt would have kept me warm. So it comes the very simple question- what's the weather likely to be?

[Fit2BKilted]

I am very happy with my Stillwater heavyweight (real wool & a great bargain for the price!) that is also available in Saffron... A word to the wise, however, if you're between sizes, choose the smaller of the two, since Jerry's kilts are sized by the "smallest" girth they will accomodate (they will expand 2-3" but can be set no smaller). The quality (for the price), shipping and service you'll receive from Jerry is beyond reproach.

Participating in a parade would probably rate a dress-sporran, hose, flashes/garter-ties, and a jacket IMHO... You should be able to rent those if you're near any major metropolitan area, though... or the whole outfit for that matter; but, I expect that owning the kilt will be preferable (and regrettable if you don't ;-)

Kilt on!

[McMurdo]

OK
I'd say that as far as an outfit goes go for the highest quality kilt you can afford. I know it may be a stretch but if you can go for wool, it looks better and lasts longer than the alternatives. I'd recommend the following if you can swing it. Wool from Burnett's and Struth casual kilt sale, Irish tartans:
http://www.burnetts-struth.com/produ...oducts_id=1222

http://www.burnetts-struth.com/produ...oducts_id=1052
Cost: $199.00

Much of what you wear with the kilt you may already have, dress shoes a shirt etc.

Next comes the sporran I'd say for a starter you could do worse than a sporran from Stillwater kilts
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...ther%20Sporran
Cost: $14.95

After that hose would be a consideration for a good pair of inexpensive hose I recommend WBrewin
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bottle-Green-KIL...item35a602836b
Cost: $6.37

So for a total of

$220.32

you could have the makings of a wonderful kilt outfit, Sgian Dubhs, garter ties, and bonnets can all come later if you so wish. I hope this helps. You might want to look through the 1 kilt 10 looks thread here it shows how versitile the kilt can be.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/1...888/index.html

[seanachie]

After that hose would be a consideration for a good pair of inexpensive hose I recommend WBrewin
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bottle-Green-KIL...item35a602836b
Cost: $6.37

Somebody recommended WBrewin to me on these Forums and I would endorse them. The service was fast and I got lovat blue and lovat green from them and are quite pleased. The lovat green were a great match for my saffron.

When you have a few extra duckets Sydnie (flamingo kilts) has an awesome set of hose toppers for the saffron kilt, lovat green hose combo :River Pattern Inspired by the Isle of Skye Tartan in Cocoa, Avocado, and Purple. http://flamingokilts.biz/4.html

[MrShoe]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I truly appreciate it.

As far as SWK goes the standard @70 and the Heavy Weight wool @122
Is the PV that bad? With that price difference I lean more toward the standard, but I do like the shadow tartan. Wish I had stumbled into the deal on the stained ones in November!! It is not typical of my nature to cut corner and doing so pains me. But right now I can't really afford this "Luxury". I would wait, but I made a promise to my buddy and if he can put his life on the line in Afghanistan the least I can do is follow his request and fulfill my promise.

McMuro - Unfortunately at this point that is probably be out of of my range, but I will see. I plan to have a proper kilt made later in Ulster District Weathered. It is believed to have been worn by the O'Kanes from which I descend. I prefer to have the saffron, but 2nd choice is the Irish Heritage/Irish National

Peacekeeper - I have nothing against USA Kilt, they were just priced a little higher than the other. Plus I was hoping to be out the door less that $200 which would not get me free shipping either.

Fit2Bkilted - Thanks for the input on parade attire. It is a rather small one, just our 6th year. If the AOH do not make it this year I would probably be the only one in kilt. I don't want to ignore any protocol that there might be for parade attire. where should I be in the 1 kilt 10 looks scale?

[Detroitpete]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I truly appreciate it.

As far as SWK goes the standard @70 and the Heavy Weight wool @122
Is the PV that bad? With that price difference I lean more toward the standard, but I do like the shadow tartan. Wish I had stumbled into the deal on the stained ones in November!! It is not typical of my nature to cut corner and doing so pains me. But right now I can't really afford this "Luxury". I would wait, but I made a promise to my buddy and if he can put his life on the line in Afghanistan the least I can do is follow his request and fulfill my promise.

McMuro - Unfortunately at this point that is probably be out of of my range, but I will see. I plan to have a proper kilt made later in Ulster District Weathered. It is believed to have been worn by the O'Kanes from which I descend. I prefer to have the saffron, but 2nd choice is the Irish Heritage/Irish National

Peacekeeper - I have nothing against USA Kilt, they were just priced a little higher than the other. Plus I was hoping to be out the door less that $200 which would not get me free shipping either.

Fit2Bkilted - Thanks for the input on parade attire. It is a rather small one, just our 6th year. If the AOH do not make it this year I would probably be the only one in kilt. I don't want to ignore any protocol that there might be for parade attire. where should I be in the 1 kilt 10 looks scale?

Hey Neighbor--let me know which parade it is and I'll be ther kilted with ya'!
For the money you're looking to spend, I'd go with either the SWK Irish National Standard--GREAT price. I have several Standards from Jerry and I don't think you can beat them for quality and price for a non-wool, good functional kilt. Plus--Jerry rocks. Great service and time-warp bending shipping.

USA Kilts from Rocky are great and he also is fantastic at service. However--I'd say the PV casual may be a bit too light for St. Pat's in Motown--remember its still brrrrrrr cold here then. Keep Rocky in mind when you want to step up to a VERY good made-to-fit kilt at a great price (either the PV Semi-Trad or the even better 5-yard) Celtic Croft is good for this as well.

Going back to discussing SWK: at that price you can get decent hose, flashes or ties, belt and sporran if you need--from him or other supliers--and be out the door at the prices you're looking at. Another option for belts and spoorans at GREAT prices try the Celtic Croft (another advertizer here) at http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/ GREAT service as well as price.

My advice for a kilted stroll during a blustery St. Pat's in Detroit: LAYERS! thin socks under good kilt hose, warm shoes/boots,SWK standard is warm enough--may choose to wear warmer shorts under/cut long johns, nice heavy sweater over whatever you wear on top--and a warm hat---you'll tocuh off a friendly spat here if we were to discuss the merits of a good wool/tweed flat cap

Lastly--just my opinon--I'm a fan of the Irish National at SWK or the Tara/Murphy from USA Kilts or the Irish Green over the one-color saffron--but what do I know, eh? I defer to McMurdo on this. I'm just more likely to choose a tartan over a solid.