Seeking a tartan, a kilt, and a new way of life

[Richrail]

a USAkilt casual or semi-traditional is a great way to start the addiction. I have three casual kilts and on semi-trad, they are my go to summer time kilts. Machine washable easy care make them great for summer and all the events that take place here in Reno.

[Mikilt]

Welcome from the West 'burbs!

As you see, you'll find many answers here. Stick around, ask more questions and you will find answers that work for you as you develop your own style.

Again, welcome.

[WillowEstate]

Hi and a warm welcome from sunny Queensland!

As far as your next kilt is concerned, yes, there is nothing like a heavyweight wool kilt but just finishing college, there is the one big drawback - impecunity! If you are going to invest in a Masonic tartan or a clan tartan associated with your step-mother, then waiting until you can afford a quality wool kilt would be a good idea.

But if you want to make a foray into the world of tartan, then I would second the opinion expressed by many members already, that a Poly Viscose casual kilt would be an excellent starter. Perhaps in a generic tartan, rather than one of your wool aspirations?

They are great starter kilts - there is a lot to learn about managing 8 yards of cloth and several hundred dollars of top quality wool isn't good practice fodder! Many of our American members recommend USAKilts and that would be an excellent choice.

If you can't run to that to begin with there are other outlets, like Heritage of Scotland (in Scotland) that have a range of very affordable casual kilts. An 8 yard in their heavyweight PV might be worth a look. Anyone on this forum would probably spot it at 50 paces but the other 95% of the world would just see it as a kilt!

HoS go all the way up to bespoke wool kilts but as and when you want to take that road, it would be better to talk to a local kiltmaker, such as one of the advertisers on this forum.

Anyway, welcome to the community - or the addiction, whichever way you see it!

[David Host]

Welcome to Xmarks from Michigan! I would also suggest USA Kilts. I have one of their Semi-Traditional models in a universal tartan and I must say it is a very well made kilt. The Marton Mills PV that Rocky uses is durable, has a good hand, and holds a sharp pleat. Whatever you decide, wear it with pride!

[ratspike]

Wandering the Faire last Saturday on my birthday, I stopped by the kilt maker's booth and a very pretty girl working the counter bluntly told me 'Your kilt is a dirty lie'.

So, here I am to spend a long while researching, reading, and considering my options if I can ever afford a real kilt. Until then, I'll be off in my black nylon abomination.

Here's a big, fat welcome from Vancouver, USA and congrats on your TDK! They're awesome and you're lucky to have one, since those things get snapped up as soon as they hit the 5.11 website.

I also feel like I need to say that the girl you talked to in that kiltmaker's booth flat out sucks. That's a crap way to speak to anyone, let alone a potential customer. If I were vending at an event and someone working for me said that, I'd fire them on the spot. Your TDK is bada**, well made, and absolutely perfect for what you bought it for. Anyone who tells you different can go pound sand.

[Highwayman]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes! Half an hour ago I checked the mailbox and found my Stillwater Sporran, just rigged it up to my TDK with some cord and it fits perfectly. Hopefully wearing it to the Faire again Saturday where I'll be carrying everything for my female friends who wear elaborate costumes with no cargo capacity.

This thread has genuinely rerouted my views on kilt buying. Whereas a few days ago it was a long term goal, I'm now looking at the PVC model from USA Kilts and...If any of the job interviews I'm doing this week work out, this could be a feasible purchase. And not only do they have the Farquharson pattern, the American Heritage is really catching my eye for being patriotic in a very somber and subdued manner. Sadly I'm a 28 waist so secondhand buying will be very challenging, but USA Kilts seems to be be giving me a much closer purchasing timeline than I imagined.

[TomFromBama]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes! Half an hour ago I checked the mailbox and found my Stillwater Sporran, just rigged it up to my TDK with some cord and it fits perfectly. Hopefully wearing it to the Faire again Saturday where I'll be carrying everything for my female friends who wear elaborate costumes with no cargo capacity.

This thread has genuinely rerouted my views on kilt buying. Whereas a few days ago it was a long term goal, I'm now looking at the PVC model from USA Kilts and...If any of the job interviews I'm doing this week work out, this could be a feasible purchase. And not only do they have the Farquharson pattern, the American Heritage is really catching my eye for being patriotic in a very somber and subdued manner. Sadly I'm a 28 waist so secondhand buying will be very challenging, but USA Kilts seems to be be giving me a much closer purchasing timeline than I imagined.

Welcome from Lower Alabama. Just had to chime in - challenging to buy for a 28 waist? Try finding a used kilt to fit around a 42" waist! LOL!!!!

Its been well covered in other threads, but should you choose to get a used Kilt, my understanding is that its a lot easier to reduce it by a few inches than to expand it.

Best of luck!!!

[David Host]

My semi trad is in American Heritage. It's a great tartan and it's exclusive to USA Kilts, go for it!

[tulloch]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes! Half an hour ago I checked the mailbox and found my Stillwater Sporran, just rigged it up to my TDK with some cord and it fits perfectly. Hopefully wearing it to the Faire again Saturday where I'll be carrying everything for my female friends who wear elaborate costumes with no cargo capacity.

This thread has genuinely rerouted my views on kilt buying. Whereas a few days ago it was a long term goal, I'm now looking at the PVC model from USA Kilts and...If any of the job interviews I'm doing this week work out, this could be a feasible purchase. And not only do they have the Farquharson pattern, the American Heritage is really catching my eye for being patriotic in a very somber and subdued manner. Sadly I'm a 28 waist so secondhand buying will be very challenging, but USA Kilts seems to be be giving me a much closer purchasing timeline than I imagined.

Woah! 28" - that makes you a candidate to get an old military kilt. I have looked longingly at some ex-regiment kilts but they are all for skinny guys like you. Check it out. Sorry I don't have a link.

[Mel1721L]

Hola from Spain,

I have one woolen 5 yard kilt/cilt and a couple of acrylics, one is pretty good, the other less so. It would only be feasible to wear a full 8 yard woolen kilt/cilt here a couple of months of the year so is not worth spending a fortune on.