Kilt Hose for a tall(ish) guy and kilt purchase advice

[Geoff Withnell]

I would strongly recommend getting a custom USAK Casual as your first kilt. Expecially since you are somewhat tall, an off-the-rack kilt is not likely to fit well. The USAK casual will fit just fine, and is quite versitile. I own several USAK Casuals, and several custom wool kilts from different kiltmakers, including Rocky. While the wool kilts do look better, I have gone to Highland Games and other events in the Casual and not felt the least bit out of place.

[RedMayhem]

Wow, I never expected so much great advice, thanks everyone!

The House of Cheviot hose sound great! M.A.C., are all of the hose on that link from the House of Cheviot?

Tobus; I absolutely see your point when you draw the comparison to Catholic school girls, lol.

Biblemonkey; I looked at the Sportkilt's, but heard they are very nontraditional and quite light. I am not certain if the USA Casual Kilt is to much different, but I I saw some comparisons that seemed to favor the USA Kilt. What were your experiences with the Sportkilt?

Piperdbh; the kilt was rented from a shop in Virginia. The clerk who helped myself and the other groomsmen referred to the hose as, "the type of socks you have to wear when you wear the kilt thing" luckily a different gentleman did the measuring because he was probably not a kilt expert. lol. When I got back from the wedding I asked my grandfather about our genealogy, I knew we had Celtic blood, but when he took me on a tour of the family tree I realized I am a proud Celtic mutt. There were Scottish, Irish, and even a Welsh (I think) surname scattered through the family. We had quite a few Ramsey's, and I am partial to blue, but my ties are distant. I also thought about a generic tartan, such as the Xmarks pattern. Any suggestions?

Again, thanks to all who responded, this is a great site!

[dowofbuchanan]

well if its a family tartan thats fairly common and acrilybeast suits you the heavyweight from the frugal corner might suit you for around 100. if you dont have a tartan specific in mind, or dont have a family tartan for a wee bit more you can have a machine made 16oz wool from jerry at stillwaterkilts. ill give you a dollar if you can find something bad about him on this forum

chris

[Grizzly]

Hi and welcome to the forum from Southampton UK.

Another hose to consider is Pipers hose from the College of Piping, made by Gaelic themes. I have a couple of pairs of these hose and they are exremely long as they are made to turn over 3 times at the tops to more resemble the traditional hose tops.
I too am 6 ft 3 and have 17 inch calfs and these fit me with loads of length to spare. they are very reasonably priced too and very comfortable.

[theborderer]

from Berlin and Dresden, Germany

[Jack Daw]

What Price Glory has some very reasonably priced hose in khaki that come in long. I have a couple of pair that have lasted me.

http://www.whatpriceglory.com/shopexd.asp?id=983&bc=no

[biblemonkey]

Biblemonkey; I looked at the Sportkilt's, but heard they are very nontraditional and quite light. I am not certain if the USA Casual Kilt is to much different, but I I saw some comparisons that seemed to favor the USA Kilt. What were your experiences with the Sportkilt?

Sportkilts are exactly what the name implies. They are really only good for sports activities like running, hiking, etc. I went with them first so I could wear a kilt during the Warrior Dash. I would definitely suggest a USA casual as your first kilt if you are not planning on any formal events in it. What are your waist and length rquirements? I may have an ex-hire I could sell you in the Muted Sutherland tartan in 8 yard 13 oz wool. I am 6-1 and the kilt is a bit long on me. PM me for more info.

Hugh

[ForresterModern]

I will let others with a more varied experience with kilt purchases than I give advice in that arena as I am a wool mid-heavyweight 8 yard tank kind of guy, having used only about 6 different kiltmakers or retailers to fill my closet.

As regards the hose, being 6'5" and 270 pounds plus I have had great luck with every House of Cheviot hose I have purchased as far as length is concerned, with more than adequate turnover on the hose tops. And the variety available is absolutely overwhelming, from the various patterns and multitude of colors to the fancy tops to the tartan tops to the diced and full argylls. I have also had great satisfaction with what are called "piper's" or bobble top hose---not sure of the particular manufacturer but they are available at a lot of vendors, and they also are very long with an additionally long turnover that generally allows for at least two if not three turnovers to get it down to the proper height below the knee over your garters or garter ties. They too come in a multitude of good kilt-complimenting colors, although not as many as the House of Cheviot solid colored selections. Both varieties are good and solidly build and relatively hardwearing and should last many years with good care. Many other varieties from other manufacturers may also be found by searching the internet for "shooting socks" instead of kilt hose, as well as this search bringing up some of the varieties and colors of hose from House of Cheviot not typically included in their line of "kilt hose".

So fear not your height from the hose standpoint.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The House of Cheviot hose sound great! M.A.C., are all of the hose on that link from the House of Cheviot?

Pretty much yes, with the exception of the custom knit argyle and diced hose (which of course can be made to any height required).

[MacMillans son]

if you dont have a tartan specific in mind, or dont have a family tartan for a wee bit more you can have a machine made 16oz wool from jerry at stillwaterkilts. ill give you a dollar if you can find something bad about him on this forum

chris

Just a point of clarification, if you are referring to Stillwater's "Heavyweight" kilts, I am pretty sure that they are not 16oz. Jerry could likely confirm, but most opinions are that they are closer to 11oz.

However, he is now offering middleman service for kilts made in Scotland with most available tartans, but I have not seen a price for them yet.

I certainly agree with your assessment of his reputation, I have a couple of casual sporrans and a closet full of his large kilt hangers that are great !