looking for a formal look but not the price

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If what you are really looking for is a formal kilt at a good price, I'm going to disagree with some of the other members of the board here and not reccomend Stillwater kilts, or any other Poly-blend alternatives. To my eye, nothing makes a kilt look more traditional or more formal than the quality of cloth, and this means good, hard-wearing worsted wool kilt cloth.

Everything else could be spot on about the make and construction of the kilt, but if the cloth is not worsted wool, it will still have the look of a cheap kilt, especially when worn with otherwise formal kilt accessories. It just tends to highlight the fact that the kilt is not traditional wool.

So, if you want a traditional woolen kilt but at a lower cost, what are your options?

The first thing you can do is look for a second hand kilt in your size. A lot of places that sell kilts will have a "sales" page on their web site. Scour those. You have to be willing to not be picky about the tartan selection and just be happy if you find one in your size that you like.

You might want to also try contacting clan societies and see if any members have kilts they are selling.

I used to reccomend ebay and still do so long as you are discerning enough to tell a true traditional kilt from the majority of what is now being offered. There are occasionally some great deals to be had.

Also this forum has a section for people looking to buy and sell used kilts. So take advantage of that.

If you don't want to go the second-hand route, there are other options. There is a web site called "What Price the Glory" (I'm sure someone here can provide the URL or just do a Google search) that sells quality reproductions of Scottish regimental kilts at a very decent price. I have not purchased from them, but based on the reviews of those that have, I would reccomend them. These are going to be very heavy weight regimental kilts, but would do well for formal situations.

You may also consider getting a 4 yard kilt v. the usual 8 yard kilt. Not to advertise for myself (I make 4 yard box pleated kilts) but the traditional box pleated kilt is every bit as formal as an 8 yard knife pleated kilt. I got married in one! Even though it contains less material, it is still hand tailored, and it is still made from the highest quality of cloth. But you'll spend $350 v. the $500 or more you can expect to spend for an 8 yard kilt.

A lot of companies also offer some version of a "casual kilt" and these are usually 4 or 5 yards of cloth that are knife pleated and machine sewn. There are some great deals to be had here, as well. Even though I would not normally reccomend machine sewn kilts for formal wear, so long as they are made from actual woolen kilting cloth, they will still look a lot better with formal accessories than any non-woolen alternatives that are out there.

These are just a few reccomendations, but if you follow them and find something you like, you should easily be able to shave a couple hundred dollars off the price tag.

[Oswulf]

I'm not the authority that Matt is, not even close, but I will say that stillwater's wool kilts are hard to distinguish from at least the more casual scottish kilts. The fabric itself is very close to what I got from scottishkilts.net in a lochcarron tartan. Granted the cut and fit is superior to some degree in the Scottish kilt (though it's machine sewn also). There's loads of alternatives out there, and a handsewn tank is like the holy grail if you can afford it. It's definitely on the list for me, but until then I can make the cheaper varieties look pretty good and still get loads of compliments.

[646guy]

Welcome to the group....I echo what everyone else said abotu Stillwater kilts. Great product, great price, and QUICK delivery.

[Kiltman]

If what you are really looking for is a formal kilt at a good price, I'm going to disagree with some of the other members of the board here and not reccomend Stillwater kilts, or any other Poly-blend alternatives. To my eye, nothing makes a kilt look more traditional or more formal than the quality of cloth, and this means good, hard-wearing worsted wool kilt cloth.

I have to agree with Matt, nothing like the look and feel of hard-wearing worsted wool. It's a joy to wear. I also recommend 16oz wool. I've some lighter ones, but they just don't have the feel of 16oz.

[Iolaus]

To the un-educated eye (99.9% of the population) a kilt is a kilt. He wants "the look", not the real thing; a Stillwater Heavyweight or inexpensive tradional from one of the makers here will probably suit his purpose just as well as a $500 kilt would; where the real cost comes in is trying to get the rest - jacket, vest, hose, etc. ...especially the jacket!

[macwilkin]

Another detail that wasn't mentioned: when do you need the formal rig? For a wedding or another event this year? Or just to have it for the future? If the latter, I would advise (for what that's worth) not rushing into anything and regreting your first purchases down the road. Let me use an example from Civil War reenacting:

When I first started doing CW reenacting in college back in the early '90's, I was an "impulse buyer" at the sutler (vendor) tents at reenactments -- I didn't do any research, and burned a hole in my pocket with items that I didn't need and/or were not correct for the impression(s) I was trying to do -- as a result, I had to replace much of that gear with quality items down the road, which only cost more money! I learned a hard lesson that I applied to my Scottish kit later on. Granted, I need to be as accurate as possible, since I was actually presenting a historical impression, but it's good to look at your options (as Matt suggested) and make decisions that are best for you.

If you really want formal "kit", then my advice is to go slow and do your research, in particular listen to Matt's advice. You may not get the full kit in a year, or even two, but if you go slow and buy the essentials first, and then add a wee bit each year, it won't take you long to collect it. And please don't sacrifice quality for price -- you'll only regret it later on. Yes, there are ways to save on items -- sales, checking with the local Scottish society, etc. -- take advantage of those, by all means. Remember the old saying:

"The ox is slow, but the earth is patient."

Just some advice from a bluff old traditionalist! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[Iolaus]

Another detail that wasn't mentioned: when do you need the formal rig?

Another detail that wasn't mentioned...does he need a full rig at all? At first, I had assemed that he did, but I just went back and looked, and all he said was "a place that I can get a traditional look."

[Oswulf]

There's also a lot to be said for getting your feet wet. I really do want a hand stitched heavyweight 8 yarder, and a nice Argyll jacket, and a bitchin' formal sporran (I really, really want sealskin, and I'll find a way to get one by hook or by crook). That being said, it's just not in my budget just now, I'm hoping by the end of the year. So I got my feet wet with a couple Stillwaters and a Scottish 5 yarder. I know, I know, for what I spent on the kilts I've got now I probably could have had a tank, but for me it's a lot easier to put out some small bites spaced out a bit than save up for one biggie. As it is I have 3 worsted wool kilts and I'm wearing them fairly often, and by the time of my wedding in December I'll have the custom package. By then I'll have been kilted for nearly a year and I wouldn't have been able to do it without Stillwater. I probably have very little need for full formal anything, but with what I've got I can dress up pretty snazzy indeed, and I've got some pretty good variety. I am a wool fanatic and like the wool kilts waaaay better than the one stillwater PV I have, and I am really looking forward to a tank, but the others do have their place.

I guess what I'm getting at is that for a beginner a wool stillwater or a machine stitched wool 5 yarder is a pretty good place to start. Best to start anywhere than sit around wishing for something you just can't swing. The only hard part is to actually quit buying for a while now and start saving up for a tank and formal accessories, there's still so many kilts out there I'd like to have.

[Colin]

To the un-educated eye (99.9% of the population) a kilt is a kilt. He wants "the look", not the real thing; a Stillwater Heavyweight or inexpensive tradional from one of the makers here will probably suit his purpose just as well as a $500 kilt would; where the real cost comes in is trying to get the rest - jacket, vest, hose, etc. ...especially the jacket!

I would have to disagree with that number Iolaus. At least up here in BC people tend to know the look of a traditional Scottish kilt vs a PV or comtemporay style kilt. I have been stopped a few times in my Bear kilts and asked what kind of material it was and if it made a good kilt. At least in my environment, the un-educated eye is, maybe 60% of the population. Mind you we have a piper or pipeband for almost everything, and one of our universities, Simon Fraser University (SFU) has produced a pipeband that has won the worlds numerous times.

I have not seen the Stillwater wool kilts in person, only in photo, but wonder what traditional characteristics they have. Does anyone know the weight of the wool?

[Iolaus]

I suppose it depends on where you are. I don't think that many of the people I run into around here would know the difference; hell, many of them wouldn't even know it's a kilt!