Prom advice

[O'Neille]

Get a nice kilt that won't break the bank. Stillwater (wool heavyweight) if the length is right. Skip the fly and hat. Get some nice hose and some regular brogues (outlet mall shoe stores around $50) unless you must have ghillies for twice the price. Then all you need is an Argyle or P.C./vest and you're good to go. Remember to get your extras from SWK while ordering the kilt and save a bundle on shipping if you went to various vendors. O'Neille

[Prester John]

I recommend Scotland Yard (http://www.scotyard.com)

They have come through for us on more than one occassion with their excellent rental service.

You won't be disappointed. We had many of our loved ones rent kilts and outfits with all the accessories from them for our son's recent wedding. Not one had a single problem!

[beloitpiper]

You can buy a belt, hose, saffron kilt (I'd HIGHLY recommend the wool heavyweight over the standard), saffron plaid, and brooch all at Stillwater (I've purchased a lot from them, they won't let you down!). You could probably get all of that for about $250-$300.

I'd recommend regular dress shoes with the Irish kilt (I've always thought of ghillies as Scottish), and you're on your own with the sporran. Stillwater has sporrans, but nothing fancy.

Hope that helps!

[Richland]

At risk of offending the tartan police.
1) get a good pair of Socer socks. I wore them with my kilt for a few years before i got a proper set of kilt hose and never got a sideways glance.
2) Make your flashes fron ribbon and elastic found at a fabric store.
3) a nice pair of shiny dress shoes will suffice for gilies.
4) if well pressed, your sport kilt may look just fine to the general population.
5) I found some beautiful kilt style heavy wide belts at the tool belt section at sears or home depot. Shine them up good.

Good luck

[Caradoc]

5) I found some beautiful kilt style heavy wide belts at the tool belt section at sears or home depot. Shine them up good.

Also try the local military surplus and/or police uniform stores.

"Duty belts" work as kilt belts.

[Coemgen]

Thanks for all the input, y'all.

Perhaps I should explain a few things.

1: I already have a PC. I got it used at an estate sale for $75. It was just a bit dusty, and the button needed polishing a bit, but after a dry cleaning and a wee bit of my mom's seamstress work to make it a perfect fit (it already fit like a glove, but it does even more so now), it looks as good as new. So, I would like to purchase what I need, since it doesn't make sense to rent everything except the jacket, and I'll probably need the outfit down the road somewhere.

2: In this town, families tend to be on the wealthier side (no experience personally; my family's very middle class [and darn proud of it!]), to the extent that people wear tuxes and hire limos for the Howdy! dance, so just imagine what prom must be like. This being the case, I think that I should look as bloody formal as is bloody well possible on my rather meagre budget.

3: I need something that looks good, and appropriate. The head of the school's pipe band always shows up, as well as the teacher who is an immigrant - from Scotland. Combined, they are to Kilt Police what Hermann Wilhelm Göring was to the Gestapo. I don't particularly mind getting yelled at because my sporran is an inch too high, but I would like to get past with merely a glare and a grunt, as opposed to a rant about getting "the real thing" (i.e., a $1,000.00+ outfit hand made in Scotland)

So, let's see. It seems that SWK is the way to go as far as the kilt (a 100% wool Saffron), as well as the belt and flashes. But, I looked at the store website, and they do not carry saffron fly plaids or dress sporrans. I suppose that I or my mom can make my own saffron fly, but the still leaves the sporran. I also note that Kiltmart.com carries inexpensive dress sporrans. Does anybody have any experience with them?

Thanks once again for the input.

[Coemgen]

Oh, and what about the ghillie brogues? Any place wherre they can be had for low prices but good quality?

[MacTavishOfJapan]

If these 'tartan police' are truly ignorant you may get grief about the saffron kilt (if that affects your decisions). I personally would still ditch the fly plaid, just think they are a step too far for my tastes, take that money and invest it in other accessories.

Having your own PC is great, I'm sure it will look smashing. Remember while stillwaters are popular they are not 'made to measure' like a USA Kilt or the like is.

I would say I would go with what you feel comfortable with, you only get one Prom (I think!).

Good luck!

Andy

[Canadian_Kilt]

I'm a fan of fly plaids. Its definitely a personal taste, but I think they look great even if only worn at the most formal of occasions. Personally I think your prom counts as one of those (Just as I feel my wedding does)! If you want to wear it, you should. Ignore the tartan police. If there's a couple people that have a problem with your outfit, it doesn't matter. Most people will be very impressed, and most importantly, you will be happiest if you wear what you want.

[Tartan Hiker]

Well, here's another vote for ditching the fly and gillies and using the cash to buy a nicer sporran that will serve you well into the future.

While I'm adding my $.02, I'd also suggest going with a tartan, any tartan, rather than a solid color, considering the venue.

Bill