Transitioning to Kilts (and Scotland)

[seatdistrict]

Hail,

Ever since borrowing a kilt for a graduation party last week, I have been really despising my arbitrarily restrictive pants (even my handy cargo shorts) and have decided to convert to kilts *much rejoicing*. I've got a black Survival model Utilikilt on the way, and I'd like to get a more traditional wool kilt for more formal occasions. I'm currently in America, but I'll be moving to St Andrews, Scotland to go to the university this fall. I'd like to be a light packer in my forthcoming travels, so I'll likely be sticking with two kilts for the foreseeable future.
What I'd appreciate some help with are:
1. Belts: Is a belt necessary for a UK? If so, where can I get an inexpensive simple black one that will last me? Could I get a good belt now that I could use for either kilt?
2. For my traditional kilt, should I wait and shop in Scotland or order one?
3. I'm trying to decide between a simple gray and black tartan or a plain black kilt. If I get a black one, would it be ok to wear casually (when the UK is out for one reason or another)?

Apologies for the inundation, any advice for the soon-to-be-kilted would be greatly appreciated.

[toadinakilt]

Rock on, my friend. I think UK's have regulr p*nts sized belt loops, so you should be fine with a decently heavy leather belt. I found one at Wal-Mart for $12 that I wear at the office. Sure it's cheap, but it's held together so far.

And if you're looking for good kilt accessories, or just someone to chat with, you're only a few hours away from Matt Newsome and the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, NC. Take a day trip this summer! You'll learn a lot.

As a matter of fact, tommorow morning, bright and early, get in your car and drive to Franklin. There's no time like the present.

If you're going to get a 5 or 8 yard wool kilt, my advice would be to avoid black. Both my kilts are black, and it is hard to get more than one look out of them. Get one in Scottish National Tartan! They can be had for pretty cheap from Scotweb, and it'll go nicely with your new surroundings in the fall.

[Ryan Ross]

Greetings and salutations, my Atlanta brethren. You have made a fine choice in deciding to go kilted. I, too, began kilting after high school. Got my first kilt just over 8 years ago, on the day before my graduation. I find Atlanta to be a very kilt friendly city, so enjoy.

As for belts, kilts look good with them. Do you need one with a properly fitting traditional kilt? Nope (you do need a sporran, though).

For your gear, the Scottish Tartans Museum is the very best place to go, I think.

As a matter of fact, tommorow morning, bright and early, get in your car and drive to Franklin. There's no time like the present.

Hah, I'm actually doing that. I should roll into town around 11:30-12:00. Takes me exactly two hours to get there from Dunwoody, most times. seatdistrict, the trip is well worth it, and I'd advise against shopping in Scotland.

What I would do, funds permitting, is wear the UK for a week or so to make sure you really do like kilts. After that, get a made to measure traditional tartan kilt- believe me, it's worth it, wether you get a four yard box pleated kilt (my vote), or an 8 yard knife pleated kilt. A really good kilt of that sort will likely last you most, if not all of the rest of your life. An excellent investment.

If you have any questions to ask a fellow Atlantan, shoot me a PM.

[Whidbey78]

Going to school in Scotland...what a rough life! (There is no way to convey sarcasm in text, but that was sarcasm) Heck of an opportunity.

Whether you go there kilted or not is entirely up to you. I'd say try to at least get one kilt there, if only for the sake of having it when (read "if") you come back.

Imported kilts can get expensive, that's why I say get at least one there. In the meantime, if funds allow, get a few from a domestic kiltmaker.

Either way, congrats! Good luck. I'm jealous!

[NewEnglander]

Congrats on your graduation and on starting to wear the kilt! My first kilt was a Utilikilt Mocker and it was a comfortable way to start. I always wear a belt with my UK, it's far too loose to wear without one. I have moderately wide (just shy of 2") leather belts (brown and black) that I wear with it. They're the same belts I'd wear with p@nts. I do not ever wear my more "traditional" kilt belt with it.

I can't give advice on kilt shopping in Scotland (I was only there the once and far too briefly), but I'd consider a tartan with a bit of color to it since you already have a black UK. Do you have any Scottish heritage? Check out your own clan's tartans. If not, look at the universal tartans out there. Personally, I have the UK Mocker (olive green), a wool casual from Burnett's & Struth (in muted MacPherson) and two (well, as soon as the post arrives today) PV casual kilts from USAKilts (in MacPherson hunting and the Scottish National tartans). I won't go into endorsing the latter two incredible kiltmakers, but be sure to do your "homework" here on XMTS and use the search feature to read reviews of any company you order from.
Best of luck!

[seatdistrict]

Thanks for the replies.

I've Keith Clan blood on my mother's side, so I could get that tartan. I was looking at black or black/gray out of personal preference. I've worn all black clothes for several years (I tend to care more for function than appearance). That's been convenient for me since I could just get a few pairs of the same things and wear them all the time, but I could definitely branch out color-wise with a kilt since I'd be wearing that all the time anyway.

I may indeed take a trip up there in the near future; I have some family up that way aching in my absence. Thanks for the advice.

[seatdistrict]

Another thing, as I've been browsing traditional kilts, I've gathered that, generally, I should be looking for an 8-yard, knife pleated tartan. How important are these distinctions and why?

Also, could someone comment on a gray and black (or other tartan chosen out of preference as opposed to significance) kilt. If I like a tartan aside from one I could lay some claim to (e.g. Keith), would it be appropriate for me to get one?

Thanks again for your help

[Whidbey78]

Don't get caught up in the 8-yard thing. It's more a label than anything as the amount of material varies by the size of the wearer and if it is pleated to the sett or stripe. It could use as little as 5, as much as 9. Don't overlook other options such as a more casual model or a 4 yard box pleat. Matt Newsome has a nice history of those on his site. While there are those who will say you can't even call it a kilt unless it's 8+ yards of Scottish tartan, it's up to you. I love tartan but have come to appriciate solid colors as they are very versital. Try wearing a Hawaiian shirt with tartan...looks silly.

Explore your options. Consider what you do and where you go. Keep your style and personality in mind too. I, personally, wouldn't wear a kilt that's about $300 to the pub. It's a little too dressy in my mind, and there is too much potential for damage or a sudden need to get it cleaned. I also wouldn't wear one of my off the shelf Stillwaters to a wedding as they are more like a pair of jeans in my mind. And don't count out PV either as it's less expensive, can be machine washed, and still has a very good hang and swing. The only downside is a limited selection of tartans.

I think the 3 best places to buy in the US are USA Kilts, Skye Highland Outfitters, and Stillwater Kilts. I've yet to deal with Frugal Corner, but I have heard good things.


This is a discussion that is probably going on at all times somewhere on this site.

[Riverkilt]

What a great deal!!

My opinion - best basic kilt belts are from AmeriKilts. Quality, fair price, basic.

[xman]

My thoughts for what they're worth:

Utilikilts and their like could easily be worn sans belt, but you'd likely be more comfortable with one.

If your wardrobe is already all black then that should go very nicely with ANY tartan you have an eye to. Get some colour in your wardrobe, even a little. A kilt is the perfect time for color. Black and red maybe, very revolutionary.


If you're stuck on shades of grey then there are still tartans to suit you.


Your clan tartan is pretty simple too.


It is dead easy to dress down a 'dress' kilt, but a little harder to dress up a 'casual' one. Consider splitting the difference and getting an 8 yard polyviscose kilt.

Lastly, check out the vendors advertising here. There are plenty of great options.

Good Hunting!

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