Sorry, I forgot to mention the tartan. Since this will be my first kilt, I want a Fraser tartan. I just haven't decided on the red or hunting. Right now I'm leaning toward the hunting, as this will most likely be worn mostly on casual occasions. I would like to start wearing it as much as possible, working up to daily.

Since pleating to the stripe is primarily a military tradition, I may just go with pleating to the set. I'll talk to the folks at USA Kilts. I would like to get a Black Watch tartan kilt as some point, maybe I could have that one pleated to the stripe.