Hi everyone

[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!

[davedove]

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.

That could change once he starts wearing kilts. I'm amazed at how much I pay attention to coordinating my clothes when I wear a kilt.

[Alan H]

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.

I'm not a Ramsay, and I have a Ramsay blue USA Kilt. I'm wearing it in the picture that I use for my avatar, here on XMarks. Notice that Rocky and Kelly keep a number of Ramsay philabegs "in stock" because the tartan is popular. So I'd say that ifyou were going to just plunge in and don't have a tartan in mind just yet, then the Ramsay one is a good choice.

I chose it!!!! LOL

Here's the thing.... if your husband is wearing a tartan kilt, he WILL get questions about the kilt and the tartan. "What clan is that?" will be heard, often. There's no rule saying what anyone can or can not wear, so he's welcome to wear a Ramsay tartan, but it would be good for him to learn a bit about that tartan, and the Ramsay family so that when he's asked, he can show respect for the tartan and it's associations. "Know your tartan" is something we've all learned around here. The thing is, it's not a drag to learn about tartans, it's really fun.

Just look up the Ramsay family on-line, and spend 45 minutes reading through the web site. Just so you know, the Ramsay's have some interesting history to share, including a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry!

If you choose a non-Clan tartan like Holyrood, look up a bit of the history of the tartan. For example, Holyrood is the seat of the new Scottish Parliament. It's also the name of the Royal Castle/House in Edinborough, and it's really quite grand. It's imposing enough and historical enough that there have been china patterns named after it!

The Holyrood Tartan was designed in the late 1970's for the Queen's Silver Jubilee, meaning her 50th birthday.

How about the various Regional tartans for the Irish and Scottish counties? No clan associations there, but there's lots to learn about the different regions in Scotland and Ireland.

Learning little things like that so that you can talk about the tartan you choose shows respect for the history it represents, and it's fun!

[Ugly Bear]

...do the younger men have different preferences than the older men?

The younger guys seem to like kilts that go past the bottom of the kneecap. Please help to resist this trend; it looks kind of stupid. (Top to middle of the kneecap, please.)

Another big trend is that the younger guys are more likely to eschew the traiditional kilt. There are all sorts of trends in contemporary kilting. The materials don't even try to look tartan, or even woollen. Solid colors, camo, canvas, cotton duc, leather ... they're all catching on, with mixed results. Fasteners besides straps 'n' buckles abound, snaps, velcro and hooks being popular alternatives. Contemporaries may have front pockets, cargo pockets, back pockets and detachable sporrans to match.

In a similar vein, younger men are less likely to traditionally accessorize. Brogues and hose are less likely than socks and boots. The kilts are integrated with the existing wardrobe.

Sounds like you're leaning toward USAKilts. Very good choice. It will be your first of many, and there's plenty to choose from out there.

And welcome to the forum.

[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