Looking For Some Kilt Guidance

[ozone]

Here's an example of freedom of movement in a kilt. This by the way is my good kilt (see my post about totally unfair comparison).

[Arlen]

First off let me say a big welcome to XMarks.
Second, as someone who practicies Scottish martial arts (Dirk, Targe, Basket and two handed Claymore, Broadsword and Lance) a decent kilt is by far the best thing to go with it.
Get yourself a U.S.A kilt or a stillwater for cheap and a Matt Newsome for nice and you'll be set.
Any well made kilt will stand up to A LOT of punishment and still look good at the end.

[auld argonian]

As to your formal kilt, you shouldn't have a whole lot of trouble there...just check the Formal Kilted pictures thread for ideas and go to town...

As to your "battle kilt"...when you say historically accurate around here you invariably open a can of worms. There are whole threads and links to many,many internet articles about what's historically accurate for what period...I suggest that you cite a particular time period in order to get better suggestions about what to wear. Variously, you'll be getting the "brat and leine" suggestion, the "great kilt" suggestion and the ever popular "just go nekkid with yer face painted blue" suggestion.

Best

AA

[elitekiltedcommando]

and the ever popular "just go nekkid with yer face painted blue" suggestion.

DO IT!

For either kilt, I would have to reccomend USAKilts. I have two of their casuals, and they are extremely well made.

Oh yeah, Welcome to Xmarks.

[Sean_the_Kilted]

Welcome to the rabble from Heidelberg, Germany. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like and good luck in the kilt hunt

[Mumbles]

Welcome to Xmarks. I wish I had some more new advice to offer, but I have to say that stillwaterkilts is an awesome way to go. They are pretty durable and cheap enough that if you totally ruin one, you dont feel so bad

[Braveheart88]

Kilts rock! Once you start wearing them you'll never want to put on another pair of pants.

[SnakeEyes]

Stillwater are also very easy to deal with, though I've never dealt with the other shops suggested, so I really have nothing to compare with.

[elitekiltedcommando]

Kilts rock! Once you start wearing them you'll never want to put on another pair of pants.

So true. So very, very true... I'm only 16 and I'm entirely done with pants. (My life is gonna be pleasant, huh? )

[MacWage]

It gets down to WHAT EXACTLY you really want.

If, for the wedding, you want an 8 yard, knife pleat tank, contact Barb T., Kathy, or one of the other kiltmakers who specialize in that.
If you are interested in a durable, quality kilt that is handmade for you, I'd recommend Matt.
If you want a modern materials in traditional cut, Freedom Kilts.
If you want a disposable kilt, Sport Kilt.
If you want a step better, but still won't be too breaking if you trash it, Stillwater or USA Kilts casual (Rocky makes a variety and seems to be expanding further).

Each kilt maker/manufacturer with a following here has its own benefits and fills a place in a the "kilted world." The decision needs to be, "What am I really looking for and what benefits best fits my needs?"

From my take on the first post you want:
1. A nice looking kilt that would look appropraite in a wedding.
2. A kilt that has as old a look as possible, without being to hot for summer.

For the first, get a hand-sewn, PERIOD. You have the funds and get one you like, in the style, tartan/tweed/solid, size that best fits your desired parameters. From my personal dealings with people, I can recommend Barb and Matt. Others do an excellent job as well and I'd look in the kiltmaker section of this forum and read recommendations.

For the second, there are many, many options.
You have disposable to rather nice and all between. A modern kilt would work, but probably not the "look" your after.
You state that it is for reenactment/roleplay/renfaire/etc (specific context is not given). A belted plaid/great kilt will be the ideal, though hot in most of the US (but perfect in much of Canada, Scotland, and other cooler temprate areas). If you are after an "old" style kilt, the history is given in the links I provided in the page one post.
Celtic Craft/Kilt-n-things makes a philabeg-esque one:
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/phillabegs.html
That one looks close enough for most of the above contexts, even if it's accuacy is debatable.
I'd avoid the Braveheart based one, as it has NO historical precendant and looks NOTHING like a belted plaid (its closest visual similarity) should. It is just historically WRONG.
For a step more recent, but still older than a knife pleat, Matt's box pleats are GREAT and durable enough (but not disposable -unless your rich- nor machine washable).
It depends on your budget and your needs/desires.

For the given budget for 2 kilts, I'd, personally, get 3 box pleats, which would suit all the needs stated and give options for dress and having one to "test just how durable they really are." Actually, as I make my own kilts, I'd buy the 16 oz worsted tartan and make 5 or 6 box pleats, but that's just me.
Your tastes, opinions, needs are probably different and you may be perfectly happy with a Barb handsewn and one or 2 Stillwaters/USA Kilts or one of each. As I don't particularly like SportKilts, I wouldn't get one nor recommend them, YET, they have a following here and some buy them almost exclusively.
Take our recommendations as JUST THAT! Listen to them, learn more, decide what is important TO YOU, make an educated decision and buy what YOU WANT.