welcome drdouglas,,i'm almost your neighbor,just a few mountains away..in terms of a first kilt i started with a utilikilt...i really like it but you need to realize that it is fairly heavy..my suggestion is to start with a lighter weight cotton tartan kilt...i bought one from USA KIlts out of Philadelphia...good selection of tartans,quick service(were talking days,not weeks or months)...call em up on your phone..if you are uncomfortable wearing it around Greenville at first head up to the mtns,hit a trail and start walking..thats what i did at first...Now i wear it when & where i please...the light weight cotton is cooler...take care..