Gents, ladies, rogues and rapscallions:

Still no pics, but they'll be coming soon. My business partner has a high-zoot film camera and will be shooting some faux-Hamishes over the weekend, but I wanted to share some observations of the kilt itself.

First of all---dang it is hard to beat a hand-tailored garment! I have my off-the-pegs and I like them, but there is no comparison between those things and a tailored kilt. Nothing beats a true proper fit. (By way of analogy, it's like having your orthotics in your shoes and all of a sudden your shoes just fit you.)

Second---a four yard box pleat kilt looks, to my eye, better than a five yard knife pleated kilt. Please to note: TO MY EYE. I am not running down a five yard knife pleated kilt, I'm just saying I think I prefer the looks of the box pleat.

Third----The balance is superb. Made from thirteen ounce tweed, it's a surprisingly light kilt. It almost seems to weigh the same as my USAK casual Farquharson. This is a kilt that should get a lot of use in the brutal Houston summers, with our 90/90 days (temperature/humidity).

Fourth---Matt's fashion of attaching the underapron strap is just plain neat. As you probably know, he doesn't put the strap on the underapron, he puts the buckle on the underapron, and the strap on the inside of the kilt. This gives a very clean look, and it's no more cumbersome than a traditional style buckle/strap arrangement.

Fifth---This is not the last box pleated kilt I'll order from Matt Newsome. I plan on jumping right back in line, and ordering either a Cameron of Erracht 18 ounce regimental kilt, or going with one of the following 16 ounce Strome tartans: Highland Granite, Scotland Forever or the Isle of Skye.

If you're waiting for a kilt from Matt----it's a hard wait, but oh my brothers is it ever worth it.