A New Kilt

[Chaps]

While my first cilt arrived just last week I am thinking of getting another this summer. I will probably go with the U.S. Navy Tartan and go for a lower end kilt that I can primarily wear to outside events or places where my more expensive cilt may be damaged. I am looking at either a casual (or perhaps semi-traditional) kilt from USAKilts or a kilt from Atlanta Kilts. Your thoughts?

Thanks.

Chaps

[BCAC]

While my first cilt arrived just last week I am thinking of getting another this summer. I will probably go with the U.S. Navy Tartan and go for a lower end kilt that I can primarily wear to outside events or places where my more expensive cilt may be damaged. I am looking at either a casual (or perhaps semi-traditional) kilt from USAKilts or a kilt from Atlanta Kilts. Your thoughts?

Thanks.

Chaps

My thoughts (You did ask). I've been wearing kilts for a looong time. I only own four 16oz wool kilts. I have never negelected to wear my kilt because there was a possibility that I might damage it. I have also never damaged one of my 16 oz wool kilts. They are built like tanks, you know. They can handle everything that you can throw at them. I just don't see the point in buying something of a lesser quality just in case. I always find value for money in buying quality. If I can't afford it, I wait and save up until I can.

[Jock Scot]

I agree with BCAC. Whilst I can understand trying to keep your new, one and only kilt smart and up together, wool kilts have been worn in the mud and blood of countless battles and all the rigours that that entails and the same kilts have been worn with pride at parades, whith all the spit and polish, in front of a Kings, Heads of States, Generals etc., a few days after. Like BCAC I find, as countless others have discovered, that the kilt made of wool is an incredably forgiving garment.

[Spartan Tartan]

I would go with a lower yardage to be more cofortable, perhaps. I have leabred that althoufh PV is nice and looks great, I simply prefer wool kilts. Given that, I would get a USAK 5 yarder of 16oz wool in the Navy Edzell for a knock about. It is more affordable, represents my Navy service, but fwels better (to me) and if horribly damaged somehow, would be easy enuff to replace.

[Father Bill]

The greatest danger to a good wool kilt is moths.

[OC Richard]

Next year will be 40 years kiltwearing for me. I've only owned full-yardage traditional wool handstitched kilts, in medium weight or heavy weight (13oz, 16oz, and my new 18oz).

Of course when I started wearing kilts that was the only sort of kilt there was! Casual kilts and Utilikilts were far in the future.

Myself and the vast majority of people in 'the pipe band scene' are traditionalists in that way, sticking with traditional kilts. I wear kilts anywhere I want to with no worries, and I have no interest in nontraditional kilts. Sorry, it's just the way I've always been.

By the way, pipe band kilts get very heavy usage: countless hours on coach trips, in the rain all day, in the sun, in pubs (where anything and everything gets spilled on them), being mistreated by young band members (thrown in a pile in the corner of their closet) and these kilts still look good after decades of such use.

[RockyR]

As I have a "dog in this race" as the OP was asking for opinions about USA Kilts vs. Atlanta kilts, I will bow out of that bit of the discussion.

To the other people's comments: the US Navy (aka Edzell) tartan is only available as a stock tartan in 13 oz wool from Strathmore or exclusively from us in PV material. USA Kilts is the only company with permission from the designing mill (Strathmore) to weave this tartan in any material other than wool.

[quincy2]

I very recently got my second kilt in 16 oz 5 yard wool from USAK. Great kilt, very nice, great craftsmanship (Thanks Rocky) The 5 yard is lighter and more comfortable than my "monster" 8-9 yard 16 oz kilt. I would think the 13 oz may be the way to go, and it really would still be top of the line in appearance. I would have done a 13 oz, but the tartan was not available in this weight. I do not worry much about damage, they are tough.

[Richrail]

For easy care and great looks I do love my semi-trad from USAkilts. I do know how you feel about the potential of damaging a beautiful and expensive garment. For knocking about, going to the pub, USAkilts PV's are great and machine washable does lend some peace of mind.

[TheOfficialBren]

A third endorsement in a row from me for USA Kilts. Rocky's work is top-notch.
Second endorsement for BCAC's and JockScot's suggestions.

A traditional wool kilt is tough. In fact, a little roughing up could maybe be interpreted as a sign that your kilt is loved, cherished, and (more importantly) actually worn out and about. It's not a relic. It's a garment (but do respect tradition).

Then again, they are expensive. Take pride in your investment. I own two kilts. A P/V (which I rarely wear regardless of the setting) and a 16oz wool (which I wear frequently, in all weather, all levels of formality). Wool may require dry cleaning but it's hearty and has many centuries of proven durability behind it. P/V looks great but is much lighter, generally.