Royal Regiment of Scotland sample kilt

[Retro Red]

How would you like to get a hold of a unique piece of Scottish military history?

Here's the story: Argyll Bagpipes Kilts made 64 sample kilts to try to win the Ministry of Defense contract for 5,000 kilts for the new amalgamated Royal Regiment of Scotland. The bad news - they didn't win the contract. The good news - they're offering the samples on e-Bay for less than half of what they would normally sell a kilt of this quality.

Yeah, I know this was brought up in a thread a couple of weeks ago about military box pleats, but I thought I'd bring it up again because the auction is once again active. The current auction ends, Jun-26-07 04:03:21 PDT.

Two of the kilts were sold last Saturday, that's because I & someone else had winning bids. I won with a minimum bid of £215 GBP plus a shipping & handling fee of £24.50 as I opted for the RM Airsure delivery, for a grand total of £239.50 GBP ($474.74). That still leaves 62 of these beauties available.

Guys, this is a very good deal for a hand-made Scottish kilt made to Ministry of Defense specifications with the fairly unique military box pleat made with quality 16-oz worsted wool woven by, I think they said, Dalgleish. And you know, getting a true military kilt would add new meaning to the term, "I'm wearing my tank."

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

When my kilt arrives, I'll post pictures.
.

[McClef]

No wonder they lost the contract if they only did waist sizes up to 36"

[way2fractious]

When my kilt arrives, I'll post pictures.

The auction pics make these kilts look superb, and I'm sure they are carefully done because they were submitted as bid samples. This 16 oz kilt will not be as stiff as the older 18+ oz military kilts - you will love wearing it.

What especially intrigues me is the horizontal basting across the pleats. In your picture-taking, could I beg your indulgence by taking some detailed close-ups of the basting stitches before (and during) your picking them out. Those pics and some verbal/written description would be very helpful to me and others (you know, those of us who are doomed to sew our own...)

Let the jones begin!

[Hamish]

No wonder they lost the contract if they only did waist sizes up to 36"

I quite agree, Trefor. My 'Kollection' would love to have one of these kilts added to its inventory, but I refuse to buy something I cannot, at the time, wear. I have not been that sylph-like since I was in my 20s, 50-odd years ago!

[BruceK]

This is a very tempting item. I have opened discussions with my Financial Advisor as to the possibilities of a purchase. But I have a couple of ignorant questions.

What is the difference between a box pleat and whatever kind I would have on one of my dress kilts?

And what would be the length of one of these kilts from Argyll? How would I know if it would be long enough (or too long)?

Thanks for your help!

[way2fractious]

What is the difference between a box pleat and whatever kind I would have on one of my dress kilts?

This thread discusses the pleating syle: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=27980

It's as awesome as any other pleated-to-stripe kilt you may have or acquire - only more so!

[BruceK]

This thread discusses the pleating syle: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=27980

It's as awesome as any other pleated-to-stripe kilt you may have or acquire - only more so!

Thanks! Some good reading to pass the time... Now to convince my Financial Advisor (aka SWMBO...)

[Phil]

That's the trouble with army kilts. The guys they make them for have the same figure I had when I was 20. Not much use to me now though.

[emolas]

Yeah, back when I was actually IN the military I would have fit them but now I would almost have to stitch two of them together.

[Rampant Lion]

Does anyone know what the lengths of these kilts are?