What kilt to get?

[antgrippi]

Hello all, I'm new here, but figured you guys could help with this. I've been thinking hard about what my first kilt will be, and every time I get ready to pull the trigger, something else comes along and I'm all confused again. I've got it down to three different companies and styles. (until something else pops up)
There is the Heavyweight kilt from stillwater kilts. It's a traditional/casual kilt, from what I know about those. 100%wool, and it seems pretty nice quality according to reviews I've found here, and around the web. these go for Between $120, and $150 depending on tartan, Not a huge selection, but I'm ok with that, for now. http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...eight%20Kilts/

Then there is the Utilikilt. I'm gunning straight for the top of their inventory here, and want to jump right in to the Survival Kilt. At $330 I'm hesitant, but am loving the functionality that this thing provides. Pockets everywhere, 100% cotton, detachable cargo pockets that can be used as a sack or will even fit the kilt inside one for packing away. Not to mention that you can actually carry 20 bottles of beer on you wearing this thing. granted that's excessive even for me, but hey, it's nice that you can. and there are some other features, like the modesty snap closure for climbing ladders, or if your up higher than others for whatever reason. There's more, but those are the basics, My second choice from this company is the Workman's Kilt. This is almost the same design as the Survivor, but is made from cotton duck, has cargo pockets, but not detachable, and cost$70 less than the survivor. I guess I'm just not sure about the cotton duck. the same stuff they use of carrhart jackets, and work clothes. http://www.utilikilts.com/company/pr...ilts/survival/

The last I'm looking at is another utility style kilt with a bit of classic style. the Amerikilt version of the modern or utility kilt. It's seems pretty similar in style and weight to utilikilt's entry level kilt, but does not have built in pockets. Instead it actually has a sporran of sorts. Almost like a fanny pack that attaches in the front, and can be removed to give the kilt a more sleek. the main draw to this one is the price, and what you get for it. at $99 it seems pretty affordable, but I hear you get what you pay for. http://www.amerikilt.com/khaki.php

So that is where I'm at. Pretty much where I started, with no idea which one to make my first. I'd ideally have a few different styles depending on the situation, but as you all know, Good kilts don't seem to be cheap, and if they are, it sounds like from reading the stories here, there's a reason. So any thoughts, help, suggestions, experiences, incite, blah, blah, blah. I think you guys get the point. thanks in advance.

[dutchy kilted]

The Amerikilt is a great "starter" kilt to get used to having the breeze between your knees and see if you really enjoy being kilted before spending $300 for a UK Survivor.

The Survivor is a great kilt (I have two) but if you are not going to need or use all those pockets they do tend to be too much. The Workman is pretty much indestructible, but again unless you really are going to use the features you are spending a lot of money

If you want a tartan, you can get a lower-priced and lower quality Stillwater first to get the fit and feel before you pull the trigger on a heavyweight.

Good kilts are not cheap, and cheap kilts usually are not good. The nice thing is you probably will find yourself somehow ending with a collection of kilts in colors, tartans and weights without quite knowing how it happened.

You don't say where you live, but consider the temperature where you live before you buy.. A Stillwater heavyweight would not be real great in a tropical environment, but an Amerikilt might not be heavy enough for say, Manitoba.

Welcome to the ranks of the kilted rabble!

[ForresterModern]

You seem torn between two clearly contemporary non-tartan kilts with pockets and one basically traditional tartan kilt without pockets, and after that figuring the cost differentials for what you get. An additional bridging option might be to talk to Steve at Freedom kilts, as some of his designs are standard classic appearing wool or PV tartan kilts but come with well disguised pockets, the best of both worlds in many folks minds, although not clearly in either camp.

Your considered choices are too far apart from one another to make them easily comparable for any kind of simple decision. You need to factor in what kind of look you want, where/when you will be wearing it, and precisely what your realistic budget is, as well as whether you are really certain that kilts are right for you in the long run. If in doubt go the less expensive route on your first kilt to figure things out, then prepare to step up to the big leagues in a big way with a future more definitive and decisive purchase. Saving money on the kilt allows you more room financially for getting some decent accessories, too.

Good luck with your decision. And remember, after you make your decision and conclude your purchase POST PICTURES HERE, or it never really happened (first rule of Xmarks).

j

[Canuck]

Take a look at USA kilts for wool or PV, excellent value for the money, well constructed and depending on the model you can have it made to measure. For a Utility kilt style also made to measure you could check out Freedom kilts. Now if you want a fibre that is both strong and soft check out hemp. Google "hemp kilts" and you shall find a utility kilt similar in price to Utilikilts. The modesty strap can be more of a pain then useful. It's generally dark under the kilt so unless you're shining a spotlight under that kilt I wouldn't worry too much about it

[antgrippi]

thanks folks. It does get cold here in the winter, I'm in PA, and that is quickly approaching, so I guess I'll be looking at one of the heavier weight ones for this season at least. So many choices, it's mind numbing, but I guess that's part of the fun in it. I think the modern kilts look pretty nice, but wool just sounds so nice and warm on a cold day. Are these things comfortable to lay around the house in? That's one of my first thoughts right now, I guess. I don't know how much I'll be wearing it out until I get comfortable with idea, but I could be wrong and feel completely comfortable, and be heading out on day one. I did try on a wool of the rack kilt at a Ren faire a few weeks ago, and it was soooooo comfortable, I immediately started searching for one to buy that night (they are kind of over priced at the faire I thought), but then I realized how many choices I had, and I've been going backwards ever since. Thanks for all the thoughts, however, very helpful.

[NeightRG]

You have great timing... Rocky - a member of this forum, and owner of USA Kilts - is offering up kilts in our forum's open (anyone can wear it) tartan Right in your price range by the look of it.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...n-kilts-69722/
He has other fabric options, too.

[antgrippi]

I'm assuming the forum tartan is the background to this site? I like it, but does PV campare? I don't know much about the difference. I've read up as much as I could on PV, and wool, but don't know how they differ on a kilt, and It's starting to get cold here, so I want something warm for the winter.

[Guinness>water]

I strongly suggest traditional wool kilts. My first kilt(s) was a Utilikilt. I loved it!!!! Then, after a few months, I got my real kilt(wool) and have been in bliss since. Wool kilts are the best, hands down. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer, they have color, and you dont have to wash them. You keep all of your junk in a sporran and dont worry about something falling out of your pocket. Knee length wool hose are much warmer than the crew length cotton socks usually worn with Utilikilts.

You caint beat the real kilt!

[AKScott]

Plenty of good advice so far.

I keep an inexpensive kilt around the house specifically for laying around on the couch, running the BBQ grill, that sort of thing.

My made in Scotland tank was far too expensive for either of the foregoing.

[antgrippi]

decisions, decisions, This is really helpful guys. I guess getting your first kilt is kind of a personal thing. I asked my wife what she thought about a few of them, and she was no help at all. Just kind of "Pick something, and why are they so expensive". She's super thrifty, so spending $150-$330 on an article of clothing may very well give he a coronary. haha, but that's how it is I suppose. Although, she did seem to like the way the one I tried on looked, at least that's what she said. "it looks more manly than I thought" she said. Anyway, guess I'll continue my search. I'm torn right down the middle at this point between a wool entry level traditional kilt, or a utilikilt, preferably survival. Both have their place, it seems. Wish I could just get both, and be done with it (for now). But one it will have to be. Decisions, decisions. Searched USA kilts on google maps. Turns out it's only 1 hour and 40 minutes from me. You guys think it would be worth the drive, as oppose to ordering one online? I'm sure getting one tailor made is way better that getting one off the Rack, but also more pricey. Was it this hard for anyone else to decide on their first kilt. Seems almost silly, but then again, I am hoping to wear a kilt in a time that most people can't wrap their heads around the idea at all. they forget that pants are a relatively recent invention, and that if they could travel through time, depending on where they stop, they may just get laughed out the that era for wearing pants. something more suited to a woman's anatomy. I don't want a kilt, I need one! Haha, thanks again guys, this is a great forum, with a lot of helpful people it seems. I look forward to getting one of these so I can stop asking so many newbie questions all ready.