so . . . . what next?

[Kid Cossack]

Howdy gents, ladies.

I need input on where to go from here.

So far the batt'ry includes: four or five UKs, three PKs, two Stillwaters and three or four SportKilts. (Hey, I'm fessin' up.) The SportKilts are fine, for me, for lounging around the house, and receiving unexpected (and sometimes even expected) visitors. The others---the UKs, Stillwaters and Pittsburgh Kilts, I've used as everyday clothing, and I'm happy with all of 'em.

Where do I go from here?

Bear in mind that I live in Houston, Texas, which is important only to the extent of the weather: hot and muggy for about half the year, really hot and really muggy for the other half.

What next?

I'm happy with the companies as well as the kilts they've provided, but I kind of want to explore the whole field. I'm not a collector, but I'd not mind having a collection of daily wear kilts from outstanding representatives of our niche market.

This ain't a democracy, and you don't get a vote---but you do get to provide input, if you'd care to, and I'd sure appreciate it if you did. I figure a USAK is "already in the works" (not ordered yet, just pondering on the tartan choices), so leave USAK off the list.

Where would the next step be? Bear? Freedom? Amerikilts? RKilts? Daily wear and easy care are my mottos. I'm not too hung up on any particular mode of attachment, straps or velcro or hooks or whatever, but I'm looking for comfort and dash and flair. What say ye all?

Kid Cossack

[davedove]

I know you mentioned daily wear, but unless you would never use it, a tailored traditional would be a great addition to your collection for those times when you wanted to dress up.

[GMan]

Virtually every kiltmaker on this forum I would recommend either from experience or from the words of many guys I trust.

I would go with Bear, and when the jonesing gets bad Freedom Kilts would be a good option (since they are from the same neck of the woods) Rkilts sounds like you might like, then again Pittsburgh Kilts would be a great option.................Drat it man, you've got me jonesing just to decide which kiltmaker I will go to next!!!!

Good luck on your choice, and do let us know what you decide so I can get another one or five.

[Doc Hudson]

I know you mentioned daily wear, but unless you would never use it, a tailored traditional would be a great addition to your collection for those times when you wanted to dress up.

It's nothing but a matter of time before he gets a USMC Leatherneck tank, probably from Alexis Malcolm.

[davedove]

It's nothing but a matter of time before he gets a USMC Leatherneck tank, probably from Alexis Malcolm.

I've currently got one on order from her, only in my family tartan (MacIan). I do plan to get a tank in the US Army tartan (that's where my connections are) from her though.

[Kid Cossack]

All too true, Doc, all too true! In fact, if I could wave my magic wand, I'd wave it right now and have a USMC tank for this coming weekend. The Cossack household is temporarily relocating to California to visit friends old and new, and to sanctify our marriage and baptize our daughters. I'd LOVE to be wearing the leatherneck tartan for that. As it is, I'll probably be in the SWK Black Watch heavyweight.

Keep 'em comin', folks.

Just at this moment, I'm thinking that after the USAK it'll be either a Freedom or perhaps a R Kilts. Heh heh heh----a tactikilt!

[Pittsburgh Kilts]

Here's my 2 cents--

While he was on his whirlwind North American tour last month, Steve from Freedom Kilts stopped by here. He dragged out a suitcase of his kilts, and then he and I spent an hour pawing over each other's work. I'll tell you what--I'M thinking about ordering one! The workmanship was really outstanding.

So order one of those, then you can give me a good one-to-one comparison! (Of course, I expect you to be polite enough to lie to me and tell me that mine's better....) ;)

[Alan H]

I've got the ants for a Freedom Kilt, myself.

[Riverkilt]

Hey Kid, ain't it a GREAT place to be.

Don't overlook a hand sewn traditional....even in Houston. I'm partial to Kathy's Kilts and also want one from Matt. Maybe out of that new X Marks Tartan if I can figure out how to do it and afford it.

For me, I've found my kilts by first paying attention to the threads and going back in the archives to see which places have a history of problems and avoiding them. Then I browse the websites of the remaining folks and look for "what I like." I figure if I don't like the tartan or the color what's the point. For the contemporary kilts I gotta like the style too.

What's difficult is that its soooo hard to tell on line. At first I never thought I'd like UKs mocker or survival...once I ordered one of each they became favorites.

Have to also pay attention to the size of the tartan pattern. I have two Sportkilts too, wouldn't buy a fancy kilt with so small of a pattern.

Don't forget you can create your own designs too with Jeff. He's done some great custom work.

Ron