Too many choices...1st tartan Kilt

[Scully]

I have been looking at our vendors web sites for an hour now and I am flumixed with the choices. I am looking for an "economy/casual/1st" kilt. I have a budget of about 200 and the choices go far and wide if you include the "options" say from SportKilt or Celtic Croft.
I have an AK now but I really want a MacKenzie (Mod) to start 2009. I plan to wear it shopping and around town etc. It is chilly/cold now but I will wear this all year. I have read alot of the posts I was just wanting some quick advice from those of you who know.

PS if this is in the wrong place please move to the correct forum

thanks Scully

[Phogfan86]

I had a Celtic Croft Gunn Modern economy kilt and still have a SportKilt Hunting. Both offered good price, good value and good customer service. I don't think you can go wrong either way here at that price point.

Good luck, and welcome. Just pawn all your belongings now and put the money in savings. At least that way, you can draw a little interest before you spend everything you have on kilts, hose and sporrans.

[HeathBar]

USA Kilts has two options that might work for you. They have the MacKenzie Modern available in the PV material. You could get the Casual model for $99.99 or the Semi Traditional for $219.99. Both are made to your measurements and have gotten rave reviews on the forum.

[auld argonian]

I note that Stillwater still offers MacKenzie in the standard line kilt.

Best

AA

[Scully]

OK I have narrowed it down to 3 and the choices are:
SportKilt Origional (I might buy 2 at this price)
USAKilts Semi tradional
Scotweb TopValue 8yd

[chasem]

I'd reccomend usakilts as well. Either two casuals as you said, or a semi-trad. Couldn't go wrong either way

[Finn]

I vote USAK over SK ANY & EVERY day.

[Moosedog]

You do have many choices, the MacKenzie tratan is one of the most widely available.
Just my opinions:

Sportkilt: good value, looks the least "kiltlike" especially if you plan to dress it up. You'll have it in a week or so. Easy care, needs touchup to keep the pleats in order. Fairly cool.

Stillwater: looks very "kiltlike," great value, if you are a standard taper (i.e. not too much difference between waist and seat measurement) and find the "non-cutout pleats" acceptable it should serve you well. You'll have it yesterday. Easy care, will need less care to keep pleats in order. Fairly warm.

USAK: casual: kiltlike, good fit and value ( the cost may vary based on your dimensions.) You might ask for wider belt loops if you plan to use them, the standard ones are for a narrow belt. Semi trad very kiltlike. P-V material and edge-stitched pleats make USAKs the easist to care for. Having it made to measure might make a huge difference in the fit, depending on your shape. Depending on Rocky's schedule you also will have to wait a few weeks for it unless you pay the overtime to expedite it. Comfortable in a wide range of weather.

Scotweb top value: most kiltlike. Will dress up well. You will have to wait for a few weeks at least (holidays will slow it down) it will be made to measure hence should fit well. Comfortable in a wide range of weather, but a bit warm for hotter southern days. Their "top value" line uses a 16 ounce wool that is just a tad rougher than the top mills, I have a band kilt out of it and it is certainly acceptable. You might be socked with customs fees, although the strong exchange rate right now still makes this an incredible deal.

I usually try to go with US makers; I've had good experiences with all the vendors you cite here and would not hesitate to recommend any of them. They just all provide a very different product. I would say if you plan to buy a Scottish-made wool kilt at some point, right now is a pretty darn good time to do it.

Moosedog

[Nighthawk]

I vote USAK over SK ANY & EVERY day.

Very enthusiasticly seconded. USAK gives you way more kilt for your dollar. I won't buy another Sport Kilt. I have said on many occasions that my wife loves her skirts, so if you have a lady in your life, then I wholeheartedly recomend SK for their ladies clothes. But for kilts? They're way too similar to skirts for my taste. You want a USA Kilts casual. Trust Finn and I on this one.

[Phogfan86]

I don't mean to pick on Scotsweb but... OK, yes I do.

When I heard they offered the top-value 8-yard kilt in the $200 range, I was all over it. After all, a guy's got to get himself a Christmas present, right? So with the X-Markers' discount, the front page of the kilts says I can get one starting at $219. Still a great price.

I spent 30 minutes looking for one at $219. Not even the very common tartans like Royal Stewart or Black Watch start that low. In fact, they're a lot closer to $300 than $200.

If someone can find me a $219 kilt on scotsweb.com, our winner will receive a year's supply or Rice-a-Roni (the San Francisco treat) and Chunky, the thickerer chocolate.