Contemporary vs Traditional

[Rawlinson]

I'm doing a bit of research on my own, but I thought a poll would consolidate your expert opinions. What do you think would make a better first kilt: a traditional kilt or a contemporary kilt? (I'm not sure if I'm posting a poll right.)

[McMurdo]

I said Traditional for the first kilt, this is just my opinion, but I think since wearing a kilt can and does center you out that wearing a kilt that is more recognizable by the general public as a kilt would help at first. The other thing is that a Traditional kilt can go from very casual to ultra formal for an example of that check out this thread.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/1...485#post719485

[ccga3359]

Owning both traditional and contemporary I voted traditional. I pretty much went the other way around. Contemporary kilt are not for everyone trads for the most part are.

[Nerts]

I know there's no third option but I'm voting 'other', as I don't think either is 'better' than the other. My first kilt was a Utilikilt but that was simply because I was at the right place at the right time and happened to have a little extra cash on me. If a traditional kilt supplier had been there it's possible I'd have come home with one of those instead.

The contemporary and traditional kilts both have homes in this modern age and both suit their respective purposes. They also tend to mingle quite well together!



E.

[The Wizard of BC]

I'm not going to vote on this one because of my conflict of interest.

But let me be a traitor and say I would prefer if people had a Traditional Kilt as their first.

Once you have worn a Traditional you know how a Kilt should fit, feel and swish.
If you then wish to expand your wardrobe with a Casual,Contemporary or even a MUG you can do it for the right reasons. Because it's fun, it's practical, or it's reasonably priced.

If, however, you start with a Gold Bros. Kilt, or a MUG, you will think that that is how a Kilt should fit and feel. I feel that is somehow not going to give you a good sense of the wonder of a Traditional.
If all you know is a Kilt that is designed to be worn at jeans waist or all you know is 6oz Acrylic then you are truly missing out.

[Eujeankilt]

Since nobody spoke for the opposite view, I thought I'd do that.

I started with a contemporary kilt and that's what I recommend. I wasn't sure if kilting was for me. I'd always admired kilts (and MUGS), but wasn't sure if it was the right thing for me. My first was a Utilikilt. It is a well made, (relatively) inexpensive garment and the guys I saw wearing them looked good and were accepted for their choice. It was my gateway kilt.

I probably feel this way because I have no strong connection to Scotland via heritage. Ironically, the kilt connected me with Scotland and things Scottish. I've not been the same since

Dale

[NancyMan]

I'm going to cheat just a little and recommend a semi-trad from Rocky. You really couldn't do better than that for a first kilt. It gives you a taste for just how fine a custom made kilt can feel, you get a classic traditional look and nearly traditional feel in the swing of it, and you get all that for a price right in the middle of the contemporary price range. Yah, I started with a Utilikilt and now own 40 kilts. But if I were to advise someone starting out, USAK would be my recommendation.

[Monkey@Arms]

Its hard to answer that as an either/or so I'm not voting. A lot depends on motive and lifestyle.

Best regards,

Jake

[Makeitstop]

This is something that is simply going to vary, as different people will wear kilts for different reasons and have different expectations.

For me, I prefer contemporaries. I like the practicality of pockets and the look and feel of modern materials. And since tradition isn't a big deal to me, I get more out of the coolness factor of a contemporary.

[jrmiller]

In practice, what I have seen at our local Irish festival are Utilikilts. They seem to be an easy choice for kilt wanna-bee's.