Kilt buying advice

[Scotty Mc]

I am about to take the plunge and purchase my own kilt (the company I used to hire from are now unable to supply my tartan due to a change in supplier).

I am wanting to go for the MacGregor Modern Hunting tartan as this is the one I wore for my wedding and subsequent functions since.

Ideally, I fancy a heavyweight kilt with matching flashes and so far, I have found most kilt outlets supply kilts using Lochcarron Strome fabric. Has anyone got any experience with this fabric/weavers? I have thought about a hand stitched kilt but I cannot see myself loosing much weight anytime soon, unless I become ill and then I wouldn't want to wear it!

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers
Scotty

[Chas]

Scotty, I can't help directly with your question, but a thought has struck me.

Why not go back to your hire company and find out who their original supplier was. Then contact them directly. From what I understand, the kilt hire industry in the UK replace their garments in October/November. New stock coming in for St Andrews Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night. So either your kilts were sold off last year or will be sold in a couple of months time.

Might be worth investigating.

Regards

Chas

[Father Bill]

I love strome!!!!!!

[Tartan Tess]

Strome weight from Lochcarron is excellent quality.
Hand stitched kilts may fit you better, no matter what size you are'

[M. A. C. Newsome]

As a kilt maker, I can say that the majority of the kilts I have made over the years have been Lochcarron's 16 oz Strome cloth. It is very good quality, and I don't think you will find anything in it to complain about. So go for it!

As for wanting a hand stitched kilt, but worrying about not loosing weight, I'm not sure what the two have to do with one another. Hand stitched kilts can be made for men of all shapes and sizes! I've hand stitched kilts all the way from a wee 20" waist for a boy, up to a 76" waist (the largest I can recall making). So if a hand stitched kilt is what you want, then by all means take the plunge!

[unixken]

I agree. Lochcarron's 16oz Strome Select is excellent. I love my Buchanan Modern Strome.

[Scotty Mc]

Cheers chaps.

Chas, I was advised in January that all the stock had been sold off nad was unavailable as an ex-hire option. Good idea though!

As for hand-stiched vs machine stitched, I doubt I would need a kilt resizing anytime soon so the extra cost of a hand-stitched kilt isnt viable. However, I'm still looking and might be suprised, who knows?!

[David Thorpe]

I doubt I would need a kilt resizing anytime soon so the extra cost of a hand-stitched kilt isnt viable.

I don't understand this statement. It seems to me that if resizing is not a consideration, then a hand-sewn kilt would be a better investment. OTOH, a cheaper kilt might be a better option if it would need to be altered or sold in the near future. Am I missing something?

[Scotty Mc]

My understanding is that a machine stitched kilt cannot be altered whereas a hand stiched can?

[cable scot]

I don't understand this statement. It seems to me that if resizing is not a consideration, then a hand-sewn kilt would be a better investment. OTOH, a cheaper kilt might be a better option if it would need to be altered or sold in the near future. Am I missing something?

*** A hand-sewn kilt could even last longer( if built well) and have more pleat style options.At least here in the U.S. the cost difference is not that much, I wouldn't think it would be that different in the U.K., and you could have a North American kilt-maker build it for you if it is.

Just MHO
Andy