New girl here could use some help! :-)

[Panache]

Welcome to X Marks the Scot! Your betrothed is a lucky fellow.

You can't go wrong with any of the fine kilt makers and vendors who are members and sponsors of this site.

That said, I would strongly also recommend www.stillwaterkilts.com

For $80 you can get a Stillwater Standard kilt that is a 6-7 yard acrylic kilt (that can be washed) in one of about 6 tartans.

For around $140 (or less) you can get a Stillwater Heavyweight that is an all wool 6-7 yard kilt in 3 solid colors and a couple of tartans.

When you look at the costs of getting a kilt there are some pretty necessary accessories that can add up. Stillwater Kilts offers a really good value for the money there too.

For between $30 and $50 you can pick up a sporran (the pouch that you wear in the front of your kilt). Most come with a free chain belt, though a leather strap or thin belt is much better in the long run.

For $11 you can get a pair of kilt hose (the long socks worn with kilts)

For $6 you can get a pair of flashes (the ribbons worn at the top of the hose)

For around $20 you can get a wide adjustable kilt belt with buckle (kilt belts are a bit different than regualer belts)

After that all you need is a kilt pin, which Stillwater often sells for pretty good prices ( but lots of pins or badges can be good kilt pins, look around your junk jewelry drawer)

If you aren't sure your fiancee is going to be comfortable wearing a kilt I think spending $150 to $200 for a complete outfit is the best deal you are going to get.

One thing, if you do get a Stillwater follow the measuring guide carefully on the website for waist size and note that they only come in one length. You may need to hem or have hemmed the kilt if your fiancee needs a kilt shorter than 24" long.

I have two SWK (Stillwater Kilts) Standards, two SWK heavyweights, two sporrans, several sets of flashes, hose, and a belt from them. Their customer service is first rate.

To be honest their kilts aren't as nice as my custom handsewn 16 oz. wool 5 yard knife pleated kilt that was made by X Marker and kilt scholar Matt Newsome (which is in fact the nicest garment I have ever owned or worn). But that is a $400 kilt. The stuff Jerry (SWK owner) sells allows someone who is interested in kilts to put together a nice basic kilt outfit without breaking the bank.

One last note. Avoid getting him a fly plaid or a sgian dubh (sock knife) at first. Fly plaids are for the most formal kilted outfits and occassions (think what a groom would wear on his wedding day) and are seldom worn elsewhere. The sock knife ranges from a plastic dress handle with a dummy blade to handcarved wood or horn handled damascus steel blades. He might want to think about what he would like based on need and where he is going to be. Depending on where you live it could/couldn't be considered a concealed weapon, but that's a can of worms we don't need to go into.

Read lots of the posts (the Kilt Advice forum is most helpful), ask questions (don't be shy), and most of all have fun!

Hope this is of help


Cheers