Help with first kilt

[djallen813]

Hi all! New guy here needing help with a first kilt and accessories. I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post or if better suited for the advice page, please move if appropriate.

I've been wanting a kilt for a while now to connect with my family in Scotland. My wonderful wife has gifted me with some cash at USA Kilts to go towards the purchase this week for our anniversary. As I've started looking at what I may want, I realized there are many more choices than I thought!

My thought is that the kilt would be used for weddings, funerals, nice nights out, generally events where dressing up would be expected. I'm thinking of going with the Black Watch tartan as we were married in it and my wife was fond of it and I'm not a big fan of the family tartans. I'm debating between the PV and the 5 yard wool, leaning towards the wool.

Initially I was thinking of a PC setup but am now thinking the argyll jacket and vest might be more appropriate for my intended uses with a white shirt and tie or bow tie. I would like to expand when the budget allows to be able to dress up and down from there when I get more comfortable.

Any advice on a good way to dress as a wedding guest and similar type events?

Also, I've looked at the 1 kilt 10 ways thread and was thinking of Jamie's #7 possibly with a vest?

Thanks for any help pointing me in the right direction. I'm open to any and all suggestions!

[Tarheel]

Go with your gut instinct and get the wool kilt. Also, if you are not a participant in a ceremony, going without a vest would seem fine to me.

Jamie's photo (in the 1 kilt, 10 looks) can be modified with a splash of color by different hose, tie or pocket kerchief and not distract from the somber occasion you're attending. The kilt will still be the focus of the ensemble.

I have two kilts. US Army tartan (equal to the Black Watch in my eyes for somber colors and my military connection) and the bright, colorful sett of the Confederate Memorial. I will be needing my family tartan eventually and that will substitute for the US Army kilt (which I will probably wear out before the purchase).

[OC Richard]

I would think the most versatile way to go would be the charcoal grey kilt jacket.

I'm envisioning the charcoal Argyll jacket, Black Watch kilt, hunting sporran, and claret hose as looking great and fitting in with most occasions. (I like to have my hose not match my kilt when possible, unless it's a formal thing and I'm wearing full tartan hose.)

By the way Black Watch looks great in modern colours, ancient colours, weathered colours, and House Of Edgar's muted colours, not to mention Wilsons Of Bannockburn colours, giving you quite a few ways to go.

I'm not a fan of newer fabrics, and my kilts are all traditional wool kilts. I much prefer 16oz wool kilts over the lighter fabrics, they look and feel better to me.

Here's Black Watch in weathered colours



Black Watch in ancient colours



I hope McMurdo won't mind me using his pic, but it's excellent at showing the elegance of the charcoal grey kilt jacket. The tartan is ancient Graham of Menteith, not dissimilar in overall look to ancient Black Watch. With matching grey hose as here the overall outfit is elegant and somber.



Personally, I'm a fan of hunting sporrans. To me a sporran like this would be ideal with a charcoal kilt jacket and good for all but formal evening occasions (black tie).

[djallen813]

Thanks guys!

Richard, you mentioned a charcoal grey Argyll jacket? That sounds like it would look wonderful but all my searches are pulling up black ones. Do you know where I would find a charcoal grey one? I do see charcoal grey tweed on the USA Kilt site; would that be the one to which you are referring?

Thanks again.

[Tomak]

Since you are planning to shop at USA Kilts, why not get some advice from them? They are terrific, knowledgeable people who can certainly steer you in the right direction. As far as what to buy, I have 2 USA Kilts, both in US Army tartan. One is a semi-trad, which is PV. I wear this to Celtic games, out to the pub and other events where something might be spilled on it. I also have an 8 yard wool which goes to formal events like balls and Robert Burns night events. In the end the decision is yours, but consider whether this is going to be your 1st kilt or your only one. If you do not plan on getting another, go with the wool. Just my 2 cents.

[Father Bill]

A thought occurs to me:

While there are several XMarks members who do it, wearing several tartans is at least unusual in Scotland, and to me, more than a little odd since your tartan is a kind of nametag. How many names do you have? I have two Sinclair kilts - regular and hunting tartan. I had a Maple Leaf tartan because I'm Canadian (but sold it because I have a clan and besides that, I didn't live the PV fabric) and a Clergy tartan because I'm a priest (but sold that too when I came to understand that most Scottish clergy just wear their own clan tartan.)

This being the thought, and since you have already had a look at the excellent "ONE kilt, ten looks" thread, my idea would be to spend my money on the best quality, and most traditional kilt I could afford in wool, (you'll never regret that!) and then use my other money to build my collection of accessories as shown in that thread.

Your mileage may vary, but certainly that would be my thought. You'll have far more options that way than you'll get from two kilts and fewer accessories. My charcoal Argyll with a nice day sporran, a dressier evening sporran and a small variety of hose (one colour and diced as the basic two) and if you really want, then a couple of different colours of self-tie garters which won't cost much but will give you some fun, gives a vast array of options in a lot of different circumstances. Swap in a variety of ties and shirts, a vest, a belt.... You get the idea.

[Taskr]

Uh huh, what they've said.
From experience I can attest that the advice of "take your time and go for quality" of the members here has likely saved my wallet on more than one occasion. Especially since you are thinking for the dressier occasions, I too say go for the wool, and 8yd if you can manage the budget - because it simply looks and wears that much better (not knocking the quality of 5yd, not in the least). Building a wardrobe around the best kilt you can afford will make a big difference in the long run.
And nothing says you can't wear that quality kilt without having to dress it up

[djallen813]

Thank you again for the responses.

I do plan on speaking with USA Kilts for their opinion. Actually found out they will be in my area in less than 2 weeks for an Irish festival. I am planning on going and discussing, getting measured, etc.

My budget would probably allow for me to get an 8 yd wool but then not much on the accessories side. Or I could go with a 5 yd 16 oz and leave some room for accessories. I guess that's where I'm needing some help as I am very new to this. I'm thinking of having this kilt last a long time and only possibly replace it a long time from now. I don't have intentions of buying another with a different tartan in the nearer future but I'm not ruling it out.

I'm needing help deciding if getting the best kilt possible with no accessories right away is better than a less expensive 5 yd but also purchasing the nice charcoal jacket. I realize this is my decision to make but I love hearing some opinions of those with much more experience than I. I'm very excited about the upcoming purchase but don't want to make a decision I regret.

Thanks all and much appreciated.

[djallen813]

Thanks Taskr,

I'm realizing my posts are still coming in a little slower and possibly out of order to the responses as they are still being approved before posting. (I just joined yesterday)

I also meant to mention that it is in my nature to become obsessed with understanding as much as I can about something I become passionate about and this kilt has become that to me. I've been reading and researching pretty much all week now!

My wife laughs at my obsessions but I chalk it up to being an engineer!

[Taskr]

Yes, it is your decision; we have our opinions. I'm not going to read between the lines for you ...but seems to me you know.

I didn't have a jacket for at least a year and wore my kilt often, btw. Experience, not opinion

(caveat - I picked up a $75 steward cut jacket from a Tux rental shop to wear for a gala. Was good enough for the occasion)

An engineer!!!! well then, you know that quality beats the speed of the project!!