Distinctives?

[Colin]

Since the Mesa Highland games are coming up in a few weeks I'm thinking I could go there to see the UK vendor and maybe by buying there I can ensure a better fit.

At first I was thinking only of getting a UK but after checking out this site and others, my heart is almost entirely set on getting a tartan. If Bear is out of the question for now, who's the recommendation for a tartan? USA?

I think any company worth ordering a tartan kilt from will have a waitlist. Still water may be an option, but I like the looka nd feel of Poly Viscose better.

In the mean time, check out Scottish stores to see if they have any old rentals for sale. Here's one option for great traditional wool kilts http://www.burnetts-struth.com/sale.html#MensKilts or http://www.scottishclansman.com/Readymade.html

[bubba]

USA has a much shorter jonesing time than Bear, but from everything I've heard a Bear is well worth the wait, but USA is very good as well. They make slightly different styles so go with what suits your tastes. I'm planning on ordering a USA traditional very soon.

[Rigged]

I own six UKs. I've owned the black workman's for about 4 years and finally managed to blow out about a half-inch of stitches while helping a friend move some heavy furniture. I repaired the slight damage (the stitches opened only to the reinforcing rivet) in about 5 minutes.

I'd worn the workman's UK for days at a time out in the Black Rock desert working or lounging in camp or on patrol as a Ranger. At night I rolled it up and used it as a pillow. It stood up to the heat, the alkali dust, and occassional wind storms that blasted some camps into confetti.

The khaki workman's (made especially for the Black Rock Rangers of the Burning Man project) is just as rugged and survived a vehicle rollover that mangled my truck.

I just posted a pic of it in my gallery.

I'm pretty hard on my clothes. My jeans got torn at the knees and split at the crotch. No such stress points in kilts, and the workman's UKs are designed to take considerable abuse.

[Mike n NC]

Just to toss in my 2 cents worth on the USAK and PK.

I have one casual, three philabeg and one premier, the casual and premier are wool and the philabegs are P-V. All look and wear great though the casual takes a little more care than the others. I have to agree with Jimmy, the philabeg is a lot of bang for the buck. They look good and dress up well if you want to wear them for a 'night out' they also stand up to hard work and rough play very well. Rocky and Kelly turn out a quality product.

I just got a kilt from Jeff at PK and while I haven't had a chance to put it through it's paces, I have no doubt from the quality of the garment that it will stand up to anything I may put it thru. Yes the pleats are wider and a bit fewer but it still has the "look".

I think most of us started with the same questions you have raised then answered them as we went. I now find myself looking around and spreading my buying among several different kiltmakers. Will I abandon UASK (my first kilts)? Not at all but I do intend to try several different kilts and makers as I go.

Mike

[Riverkilt]

Don't forget you're in Tucson...its gonna get HOT soon. Think you'd want something light and easy to wash. That poly stuff might wick the sweat away from your body where the cotton might just get soggy.

I'm up at the other end of the state in Page, it only gets up to about 108 up here on the worst days...You get another ten degrees down there.

If you decide on a UK think the original is about the lightest cloth.

With the other houses, might be wise to look at the lighter fabrics.

I caught the bug last summer and already own 20 from six different houses and have another coming from a 7th house (check out RKilts saffron leather if you want something western looking...like buckskin...but far past your current budget)in a few weeks.

Best way to solve the confusion between kilts and kiltmakers is to go shopping! Pick something to get kilted, then go from there. And enjoy the freedom.

Ron

[Pittsburgh Kilts]

Best way to solve the confusion between kilts and kiltmakers is to go shopping! Pick something to get kilted, then go from there. And enjoy the freedom.

Ron

Ron has a good point -- as soon as you get your butt wrapped in whichever kilt you choose, you're going to be back online ordering your next one! Might as well just jump in.

[Thistle Stop]

Regarding 'swish', if I've never seen a kilt 'live' how might I be able to know how much swish I want? Are there any online videos?

Hi Galant,

If you want to see some kilts swishing about, LIVE, go up to Scottsdale for the Arizona Highland Games 26th-27th February 2005 (this coming weekend)!

See their web site at http://www.arizonascots.com/games.html for more info.

Cheers,

Cyndi

[Galant]

Thanks Cyndi! I will in fact be going, so I'm looking forward to it.