Looking for first kilt

[opositive]

i suggest either a usak casual or a wool economy black watch from stillwater kilts. both are good starting points to evaluate what you want to do and will serve you well.

[CMcG]

First off i am looking to purchase a generic tartan that can be worn mostly for daily outings like walks with my kids , grocery shopping and the odd pub crawl . I do have a family tartan but money is tight so i am looking for a less expensive off the rack kilt . I am considering Black watch as my tartan of choice but there seems to be mixed opinions on here about that tartan . Also what is better 5 yrds or 8 yrds for a synthetic fabric ?

To answer your first question, Black Watch is widely considered a universal tartan, but also has associations with its eponymous regiment and the clan Campbell. If you have any doubts about it, consider something like a fashion or district tartan that won't have any such baggage.

Your questions about synthetic fabrics are a bit more complicated, as there are several different types seen in kilts. USAkilts and Freedom Kilts use the nicest of them, which is Marton Mills 11-12 oz polyviscose. It is pill resistant and Teflon coated, holds a pleat, etc.

Heritage of Scotland, amongst others, uses what they call a 16 oz polyviscose, but is actually polyacetate, which is bother heavier and stiffer than true PV. It's also much cheaper. I've handled these kilts on the rack and field reports suggest they are fairly rugged.

Acrylic kilts from folks like Stillwater are also quite cheap and can come in heavier weights, but have the advantage of being softer than the HoS "PV". They may also be more prone to pilling.

Sportkilt has used various blends over time, but all of them are very lightweight, which makes them good for sports, but less so for dressing up. I think they currently use an anti-pill polyacrylic

8-ish yards is traditional, but 5 yards is also good. A true PV kilt is likely to be made to measure, so you can pick your yardage and it will be cheaper to get less yards. Off-the-rack kilts like the HoS "PV" are 8ish yards, Stillwater acrylics are about the same, and both are a standard 24" length, so factor in alterations if you are not a standard height. Sportkilts are made to measure, but their lower yardage and light weight makes me consider mine to be the kilted equivalent of sweatpants.

You didn't tell us your budget? Given your general requirements, I'd say either a HoS "PV" or a Stillwater Standard. They are cheap, knockabout kilts, that look reasonably traditional. The USAkilts casual gets great reviews, but it is also more expensive, while its informal look makes it less versatile.

Of course it would be nice to get wool instead, but these cheaper options are good way to try kilt wearing before committing to a bigger expense. That being said, you could look on eBay and might find yourself a second hand wool kilt for near the same as one of the synthetic, off-the-rack kilts...

[knotty]

Another option you might want to look at is a non tartan as first kilt. Poly cotton & 100% cotton kilts are great for every day wear.
Good luck.

[Carlo]

Non tartan kilts are an option, but I'm not sure if it is a good start.
With a tartan kilt you have a garment that is male-wear and most people will know that. I'm not too sure if the same is true for non tartan kilts. That's why I think that tartan is the way to go to build up the confidence.

Obviously my 0.02 SFr