Which Kilt For a First Time Wearer?

[bubba]

Stillwater is a great value, but you do have to shorten it in most cases. Not hard to do if you sew.

[highlandtide]

Buzz Kidder also has a plain black traditional cut kilt I believe.

[Casey]

Shandy,

Welcome!

I would suggest that you take into consideration that you really want to feel comfortable in your first kilt. I have you seen one that makes you say, 'That's me!'? If you have, that's the one for you. You can always buy another dozen, after, to ensure that you get it right.

Casey

[macwilkin]

Since the Surname in question here is Douglass, I would suggest the Douglas tartan; it is quite striking and associated with some great regiments, such as the Ghurkas (their pipers wear it), the Witwatesrand Rifles of South Africa, and the Cameronians...

Cheers!

T.

[Colin]

Bear has two differnt versions of the Douglas tartan. You seem to have gotten a few different opinions to your question. I would like to add my voice to the Bear Kilt choice. I currently have 3 of these and cannot say enough about his product. I have had the opportunity to view a few other kilts made from Poly/viscose, and Bear is the only company I will order this material from. His workmanship and attention to detail are unparralled. I bought my first kilt from him almost 2 years ago, and have since seen other companies try to match what he has to offer. Go Bear!

[Dreadbelly]

Way up in the family tree are two names I know very little about. For me, it's MacLendon. For my wife, it's MacElhannon. (Also spelled MacEllannoon some times.) I have found tartans for neither.

My last name is just a last name. It's something pulled out of a hat because I am a fatherless bastard half breed. So Douglass has no real affiliation of any kind. I am unsure if it would be proper to wear it under those circumstances. To make it clear, I have no problem what so ever being a bastard half breed... I am rather proud of it infact. I just don't know if I feel right wearing a tartan of a family I don't belong to.

Colour wise, I like a lot of the darker tartans. I love the South Carolina print, but, have found nobody who makes kilts from it. Blackwatch is nice. I like solid colours, like black and olive. I am a big fan of basic black. I do not, however, like bright colours. To bloody cheerful. So really bright red tartans with lots of yellows and happy happy feel good colours is out of the question. I am a happy cheerful person... I am not Goth. I am not depressed. I just can not stand bright eye piercing colours. I am a bit like Johnny Cash. Simplicity is key. Good guys wear white, bad guys wear black, **** kickers wear kilts. Quote me.

I plan on wearing a kilt 24/7 once I get one. This is going to be a full time gig. If people don't like it, or have a problem with it, they can go to trouser wearing hell for all I care. I need it basic and simple for knocking around. I need something that can, in a pinch, look dressy. I need it rough and tumble. Not something that will fall apart or come undone in a stiff breeze. My worst fear was accidently getting a "costume" kilt. So I really have done my research.

I am still undecided between Amerikilts, Bear Kilts, and Utilikilts. No offense to other kilt makers, but these folks here really stand out for what "I" like.

[Rigged]

The best advice I can give you is to look at pictures of guys wearing the different brands and decide based on your body type and the look and performance you want from a kilt.

Good hunting.

[bubba]

You might add USAkilts to your list. They do good work with fast turn around.

[bikercelt1]

The Amerikilt and Utilikilt have some advantages for someone who plans to wear a kilt 24/7, but for the pure kilt experience there's nothing as great as a tartan. The Poly-vicose tartans are washable, cool and have that great kilt swing. Don't worry about which tartan, just pick one you like. That's what most of the Scots did before this clan tartan nonsense got started. You might want to stay away from a Royal tartan or a tartan that implies membership in an organisation like the Masonic Lodge or the USMC, other than that anythings fair game. USA kilts has great turn-around time. They can get you started and then you can start planning what your next kilt is going to be. Oh yeah, you did know that you've entered into an addictive life style that ends with a closet full of different kilts didn't you?

Jamie

[David Woodington]

Wolfgang had a picture of a tartan he was trying to get that was very sharp.Maybe wolfgang or one of the members can help you get to the link(I would but I still get lost in here,I will have to bring some bread crumbs next time).


Dave