X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Results 1 to 10 of 16

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    M. A. C. Newsome is offline
    INACTIVE

    Contributing Tartan Historian
    Join Date
    26th January 05
    Location
    Western NC
    Posts
    5,714
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    You are not that far from me -- I live just a couple hours drive north of Atlanta on 441, in western NC. I've worn kilts regularly for fifteen years now; I own several, and have owned in the past several others. My go-to kilts for all seasons of the year are four yard box pleated kilts made from 16 oz heavy weight cloth. They have all the advantages of good, quality heavy weight cloth, but only weight half as much as the typical eight yard kilt, and so feel so much lighter.

    That's my preference. That being said, there is nothing wrong with wanting an 8 yard kilt made from 13 oz cloth, or a six yard knife pleated kilt made from 16 oz cloth, or any other permutation.

    If it were me, I'd take a vacation to the mountains, drive a couple of hours north to Franklin, NC, and pop into the Scottish Tartans Museum to see some of the different options in person before making up your mind.
    Aye,
    Matt

  2. #2
    Join Date
    12th December 10
    Location
    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Posts
    704
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome View Post
    If it were me, I'd take a vacation to the mountains, drive a couple of hours north to Franklin, NC, and pop into the Scottish Tartans Museum to see some of the different options in person before making up your mind.
    Aye,
    Matt
    This is great advice, seeing a few kilts in person before you order. I couldn't do that where I live. Another thing you can do while you are there (probably) is get measured for a kilt by someone who knows what they are doing - something else I couldn't get done near my home.

    In Alaska winter I don't find PV kilts to be any warmer than 16oz wool (I am up to four kilts now, 2 wool, 2PV). The biggest variable in cold weather is how much cold air there is inside my kilt is directly related to how much I walk around.

    You might think about ordering a PV for really hot weather as your first kilt - I tend use mine when running the barbecue or fooling around in the garage and so forth. That way you can get kilted without a huge initial investment, and have a serviceable light weight kilt for really hot weather.

    Once you have worn it for perhaps a few weeks you can specify the measurements you want in a more expensive kilt with confidence.

    Just an idea. I have noticed in previous threads the residents of the hotter southern tier US States often have kilts in lighter weight fabrics and lower yardage and are quite happy with them. I have the opposite problem here of course.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    16th May 08
    Location
    forgotten
    Posts
    923
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I fully support a road trip to Franklin, Matt is great and very helpful. The first question the comes to my mind is how are you going to wear the kilt? I believe, the care and feeding of a Poly/rayon kilt is easier than a wool kilt. Throw it in the washing machine, pull it out and smooth the pleats and let it dry. This is not to say that the care and feeding of a wool kilt is that difficult but it different.

    Also, if you are going to wear it day after day where the chance of catching the fabric is high I would rather tear a Poly/Rayon kilt that a wool kilt.

    Think about when, where, and how you will be wearing your kilt this may have some impact on which to get as your first.
    If you see abbreviations, initials or acronyms you do not know the Xmarks FAQ section on abbreviations may help.

    www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/faq.php?faq=xmarks_faq#faq_faq_abbr

  4. #4
    Join Date
    11th April 10
    Location
    Carmichael, CA
    Posts
    871
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    My wife and I found the local games very enlightening. You can see just about every kind of kilt worn in many ways. We quickly arrived in the buy the best kilt you can afford camp. You, of course, may arrive at a different conclusion.

    Trying to evaluate swish of different kilts while not appearing to stare at guys rear ends takes some practice.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    22nd December 10
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    4,157
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    A slightly different angle...certainly buy what you can afford. However, I would consider who you want as a kilt maker first. They will be able to discuss your options directly as well as have additional insight.

    that said, I prefer wool as well. It really isn't noticeably warmer than PV and we have been at 110+ degrees F the past week or so "up" here in Oklahoma. If properly cared for, both materials will last a long time.

    Final thought, to echo others, take your time to get it right. Otherwise, you will end up not happy and just have a kilt you never wear...what's the point of that?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    1st August 12
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    6
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Guys, Thanks for all the advice. I clearly sit in the buy the best I can afford. I always have sat in that camp because a quality made garment or item will last for decades. I can tell you right away that a PV kilt is out of the question. I don't like man made fibers. I prefer wear only natural fiber in all of my clothes. I want 2 kilts. A tweed and a tartan. The tartan being for more formal dress. With that said I know I will have to buy things piece meal.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    1st August 12
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    6
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Matt,
    I actually paid a visit to the Scottish Tartan Museum yesterday. It is only about a 95 minute drive for me. I really liked the example of the different pleats. I now understand better what each pleat looks like and how pleating to the strip and the sett can change the appearance of the tartan. It was very helpful.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0