Robbie Burns night

**Father Bill** · 17th December 13, 05:21 PM

For what it's worth, my first black barathea Argyll was a former rental purchased from the kilt rental company, and re-sized directly to fit me while I stood there. It was cheap, like new, and met every need I had. NObody would ever know it had been a rental. They even changed the epaulettes to the kind I wanted while I stood there. If you were to call ahead and make a deal, it might be very much worth the drive.

**Nathan** · 17th December 13, 05:38 PM

I wholeheartedly agree with Father Bill and his recommendations. In addition to my previous post, there is Robbie Burns Night Kilt outfit rental special for $99 at the link below so the jacket and waistcoat alone are likely very reasonable.

They are also selling off ex hire Prince Charlies and Waistcoats for $250. These are good quality and Toronto is drivable but the one on ebay from the UK is perhaps even better quality.

http://www.williamglen.ca/wm/index.htm

The thing about ex-hire merchandise is that you know it's well made. It has to be because of the amount of wear it gets. A lot of the imported stuff won't stand up to two dry cleanings.

Cheers,

N

**Dixiecat** · 17th December 13, 11:49 PM

I'd suggest the Scottish Irish and Irish Store in Ottawa seeing as Lanark is just under an hour's drive from there, and no where near Barrie or Hamilton. ;)

They do kilt/jacket rentals and British foodstuffs.

**Nathan** · 18th December 13, 05:05 AM

Considering how many Scots live there, I'm astounded that Perth doesn't have a kilt hire shop... Business opportunity!

**Father Bill** · 18th December 13, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

I'd suggest the Scottish Irish and Irish Store in Ottawa seeing as Lanark is just under an hour's drive from there, and no where near Barrie or Hamilton. ;)

They do kilt/jacket rentals and British foodstuffs.

There! I need to buy a map! Lanark just isn't on my mental register.

**McClef** · 18th December 13, 06:00 AM

You have already had some great advice re a jacket from your fellow Ontarians.

A 5 yard kilt should be perfectly fine, what defines casual is more what it is worn with. I have worn 5 yard kilts with a PC (though not yet at a Lodge event) and they work just fine.

**Farmer Jones** · 18th December 13, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

Since it was your suggestion Farmer Jones, I think you have a bit of a responsibility to show em how it's done. With a little planning a rental is available. If you really don't want to do that, and if funds are an issue do as guardsman suggested and purchase an inexpensive Pakistani PC from ebay. After you wear it once you can put it back up on ebay and recoup most of your investment and start saving for one that is higher quality. If you filter your search results by used, you might even find a vintage Prince Charlie Coatee and waistcoat in your size and price range that is high quality.

If you can afford it, this one is very high quality indeed and was tailored by a respected company. You might need to hem the sleeves, but perhaps not.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Princ...2f462b0&_uhb=1

You should also search on ebay for a Black Barathea Argyll as this is a more versatile jacket and can serve for black tie as well. Purchasing a used one may be the same price or close to the same price as renting, but you have to find the right size and make sure they have positive reviews for shipping promptly.

If you decide to go with a rental, I'm pretty sure www.kiltscanada.com can arrange delivery. When I was in their shop in Toronto, they were on the phone arranging for a wedding rental in Nunavut.

Happy hunting!

Yes I agree I have responsibility. At the same time I have a very strong built in aversion to supporting certain types of economies. I accept that I am not going to be able to do it right, this time, and have left it with too little time anyway. So instead this year I will wear my tux, while saving my pennies, and do it right next year.

**Farmer Jones** · 18th December 13, 07:34 AM

You bet your life!. All we have is one small "Irish/Scottish/English" store with souvenir tat. It seems that almost everyone buys entire outfits from Burnett and Streuth in Barrie, and there is very little renting going on. I have found one place about 100km south of me that will rent, but at the end of January driving down and back, then down and back to return it, is not a going proposition.