Hi everyone

[bubba]

RJI, thanks for the welcome.

but since I am making a gift of this I think I could spend between $200-250 on one.

In that price range look at USAKilts semitraditional in poly viscose. Excellent kilt at a good price. www.usakilts.com

[flyv65]

What is the price range on the Alexis Malcolm walking kilts? In Flutterby's price range I think?? I think some of the twill traditional look contempory kilts are pretty sharp too (Freedom, Pittsburgh, etc.).

Bryan...if Tracy was doing something like this for me, I'd *definitely* want to be in on the selection-this is a sizeable chunk of change you're spending...

[GMan]

Ellie welcome. You have already been given some really sound advice. I would suggest that you read all the kiltmaker forums and get a feel for what we all have done with our kilt purchases. Regardless of what you decide, I am sure that your husband will enjoy kilt wearing, as they are so comfortable.

[Prester John]

Ellie

Welcome!

I really think the best place to start would be a semi-traditional from USAKilts.

Rocky and Kelly are some of the best when it comes to making kilts in the US, and their semi-traditional will give you all the benefits of a traditional kilt, with all the benefits of a casual kilt, including washability and price.

It would be very hard to go wrong that way, for a first kilt.

When your husband wants 4 or 5 more kilts, THEN you can take things to the next level.

Just my two cents. Good luck. It should be a fun experience for you!

[Flutterby]

You guys have been a great help! Thank you for the nice welcome and the input.

I really think the best place to start would be a semi-traditional from USAKilts.

Rocky and Kelly are some of the best when it comes to making kilts in the US, and their semi-traditional will give you all the benefits of a traditional kilt, with all the benefits of a casual kilt, including washability and price.

I really appreciate you pointing out washability. I hadn't thought about that, but it IS an important factor. I checked out USAKilts and was totally impressed. I'm beginning to think that no matter what I end up getting him I can't go wrong.

I will have to second the opinion that your husband will like any kilt you get for him. Many men have to overcome the reluctance of their wife/girlfriend/SO when buying a kilt, but you are already past that. Bravo for you in being forward thinking and open minded!

Thanks! I'd love to see more women supporting their man's decision to wear a kilt. I can't think of anything finer than a man in a kilt, so I'll certainly do my part to get my husband into one!

[Graham]

Welcome Ellie, it's wonderful to see a wife caring so much for her husband as to want to buy him a kilt. I warms the heart!!

If it's tartan you want, I will add that our sponsor USA kilts is a good and safe place to get a kilt. I have half a dozen of their kilts and I love every one.

Was there a particular tartan you were thinking of?

[Flutterby]

Oh wow, so many things to consider! I'm really leaning toward USAKilts' semi-traditional kilt, but I'm still looking. He was looking over my shoulder while I was viewing the website and mentioned that he liked the Black Watch, MacLean Hunt, and Ramsay tartans (of course, he liked all of the others, too - lol). We both have Scottish ancestry and have been working on our family history so that we can find out who exactly we are connected to, so I think that that may make a difference once we find anything out.

He is 24 and is a student... do the younger men have different preferences than the older men? I don't know if it would make a difference anyway since he the anti slave-to-fashion. He'll wear whatever happens to be in front of him at the moment.

I really appreciate all the help and advice, guys. Thanks!

[Riverkilt]

Welcome,

How old is your husband? Is he a teacher or a student? So very many options out there.

Biggest hang up is gonna be shipping time for most kiltmakers, there's a bit of a fashion boom going on in the kilt world and most are backed up and those with fast shipping aren't necessarily the ones you'd want him to own, but could be.

A good place to start would be to ask what kind of pants he usually wears. If he's a jeans and chinos kind of guy then you're looking at utilikilts, Freedom Kilts, Pittsburgh Kilts.

If he's a slacks kind of guy then you're looking at the polyesther tartan kilts from Stillwater and USA type folks.

If he wears suits, then you may be looking for hand sewn tartan kilts like kathy's kilts. But that may be over your price range.

I think www.kiltmen.com has a comprehensive list of kiltmakers websites for you to look at.

Or check out Ham's gallery at http://albums.imff.net/ham great pics of many different types of kilts.

Main thing, what do you like to see him in? If you surf the websites you'll find something YOU like. A great place to start. Once he has the addiction he can buy what he wants ;)

Ron

[Alan H]

You might want to ask him if he'd prefer a tartan kiltor a non-tartan kilt. Then give him amnesia drugs so he'll forget by the time his birthday rolls around.

First up,disbuse yourself of the idea that tartan patterns are all associated with clans or the Highland Regisments in the British Army. NOT TRUE! Here is a VERY quick list of wool and possibly polyester-viscose tartans that are NOT associated with clans at all

The California State Tartan
The North Carolina State Tartan
The Texas State Tartan
Holyrood
Highland Granite
USA Bicentennial Tartan
New Brunswick, British Columbia..all the Canadian provinces
Caledonia
Flower of Scotland
National Millennium (of Scotland)
The Confederates States tartan
All-Ireland Green, Red andBlue tartans
The County tartans for the counties of Ireland.Cork, Donegal, etc.

and that is just a bare-bones start. So if you want to get a wool kilt, ask your husband a couple of questions...

What color scheme/pattern would he like? Does he want predominantly blue, green, red? Is there anythingin his family history that has a Scottish or Irish connection? Has he ever visited a city in Scotland that he really liked? Those will be clues to what you can buy.

$270 will buy you, just *barely* a nice wool 4 yard kilt from several of the Scottish manufacturers. Check the Kilt Store link at the top of the X Marks page.

USA Kilts makes a super product and their polyester-viscose kilts are machine-washable. A "Traditional" from them is a very nice kilt.

If he wants a "contemporary" kilt, then I have to pipe up and say that while I've never seen one of Steve Ashtons Freedom Kilts (he advertises here at X Marks) every report is that they are First Quality garments. Several guys on the board have them and rave about them. Steve is the greatest guy int he world, is incredibly helpful and supportive,and I would recommend a product from him without hesitating one second. However, Steve has a couple-of-months wait time for one of his kilts, so if that birthday you're aiming for is coming up, e-mail Freedom Kilts ASAP!

Good to see you here!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Ellie welcome. You have already been given some really sound advice. I would suggest that you read all the kiltmaker forums and get a feel for what we all have done with our kilt purchases. Regardless of what you decide, I am sure that your husband will enjoy kilt wearing, as they are so comfortable.

I will have to second the opinion that your husband will like any kilt you get for him. Many men have to overcome the reluctance of their wife/girlfriend/SO when buying a kilt, but you are already past that. Bravo for you in being forward thinking and open minded!


RJI