Your Thoughts of the following

[ForresterModern]

I would second McMurdo's recommendation of Burnetts & Struth for their $199 CDN casual 4-6yd kilts as a great price and place to start. They do have an irish directed O'Saffron kilt in that grouping, as well as several irish county tartans.

I do have several full 8yd 16oz traditional kilts from Scottishkilts.net and they are great, and a great value, if you can find the tartan you want in one of their discounted tartan collections by Marton Mills Jura or Lochcarron Strome. When you enter their site in the URL search you will be sent now to thier sister site Tartanweb, which carries identical stuff but at a slightly different price than the scottishkilts site did---pretty much the same deals though.

Good luck with your search, and welcome to the kilted world.

jeff

[dfmacliam]

If I remember correctly the USAKilts casual cost me around $120 with shipping.. So keeping under budget is feasable... There is a difference between the SWK and USA Kilts casual.... But for wearing out and about, pub nights, rough and tumble outings, having a wash and wear kilt.. The USAK is very hard to beat.. The casual model.

I have had the SWK Standard in Saffron and have since sold it off.. It's not a PV kilt, it's acryllic, and it does wrinkle... if you do go with SWK please seriously consider the heavyweight.. wool is better to work with.

[denmcdough]

SWK is definitely the way to go for the USD ($$). I just purchased a SWK Irish National and it's awesome....looks very much like wool and feels like it, too. Great service, by the way.

The Irish National is different from Ireland's National...look at them both closely, and you'll see the difference. The Irish National is from House of Edgar (trade mark) and seems to be more vibrant in color. Ireland's National has too much white in it for my liking.

Oh, they are made in Pakistan, at least mine was.

SWK has had many positive comments on this site for their Saffron, too. Tough decision, eh????

[Detroitpete]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I truly appreciate it.

As far as SWK goes the standard @70 and the Heavy Weight wool @122
Is the PV that bad? With that price difference I lean more toward the standard, but I do like the shadow tartan. Wish I had stumbled into the deal on the stained ones in November!! It is not typical of my nature to cut corner and doing so pains me. But right now I can't really afford this "Luxury". I would wait, but I made a promise to my buddy and if he can put his life on the line in Afghanistan the least I can do is follow his request and fulfill my promise.

McMuro - Unfortunately at this point that is probably be out of of my range, but I will see. I plan to have a proper kilt made later in Ulster District Weathered. It is believed to have been worn by the O'Kanes from which I descend. I prefer to have the saffron, but 2nd choice is the Irish Heritage/Irish National

Peacekeeper - I have nothing against USA Kilt, they were just priced a little higher than the other. Plus I was hoping to be out the door less that $200 which would not get me free shipping either.

Fit2Bkilted - Thanks for the input on parade attire. It is a rather small one, just our 6th year. If the AOH do not make it this year I would probably be the only one in kilt. I don't want to ignore any protocol that there might be for parade attire. where should I be in the 1 kilt 10 looks scale?

Hey Neighbor--let me know which parade it is and I'll be ther kilted with ya'!
For the money you're looking to spend, I'd go with either the SWK Irish National Standard--GREAT price. I have several Standards from Jerry and I don't think you can beat them for quality and price for a non-wool, good functional kilt. Plus--Jerry rocks. Great service and time-warp bending shipping.

USA Kilts from Rocky are great and he also is fantastic at service. However--I'd say the PV casual may be a bit too light for St. Pat's in Motown--remember its still brrrrrrr cold here then. Keep Rocky in mind when you want to step up to a VERY good made-to-fit kilt at a great price (either the PV Semi-Trad or the even better 5-yard) Celtic Croft is good for this as well.

Going back to discussing SWK: at that price you can get decent hose, flashes or ties, belt and sporran if you need--from him or other supliers--and be out the door at the prices you're looking at. Another option for belts and spoorans at GREAT prices try the Celtic Croft (another advertizer here) at http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/ GREAT service as well as price.

My advice for a kilted stroll during a blustery St. Pat's in Detroit: LAYERS! thin socks under good kilt hose, warm shoes/boots,SWK standard is warm enough--may choose to wear warmer shorts under/cut long johns, nice heavy sweater over whatever you wear on top--and a warm hat---you'll tocuh off a friendly spat here if we were to discuss the merits of a good wool/tweed flat cap

Lastly--just my opinon--I'm a fan of the Irish National at SWK or the Tara/Murphy from USA Kilts or the Irish Green over the one-color saffron--but what do I know, eh? I defer to McMurdo on this. I'm just more likely to choose a tartan over a solid.

[Detroitpete]

Jeeze--I forgot ALL about Burnett's and Struth for a better kilt--especially for Irish tartans--see what happens when there are sooooo many choices.

You also asked about the "1 kilt, 10 looks" scale. I'd say anything between McMUrdo's casual to both of their "day wear" looks--depends on whether yoi have a coat/jacket and just how dressed up you want to be. I'll look VERY much like McMurdo's casual, but with hat, gloves and scarf.

[MacLowlife]

That was magician/actor Ricky Jay in Heist, talking about Gene Hackman. My advice is to put your MONEY into a kilt and your time and imagination into the rest of your outfit. You have a little space, but I mention backup plans because you may need to change course at the last minute.

If you are marching or walking in a parade in Michigan in March, you will want to dress warmly. If you are walking beside your father and he is an official, you will want to dress well. Bear in mind, also, that Parade Dress is flashy and dressy, in an outdoor way. Since you do not have to match anyone else, why not have some fun?

Is your buddy getting the same kilt? Do you want to dress the same, or close to the same as him? Can you get some simple tailoring done? I would suggest you find a couple of military tunics and have them cut off to suit your kilts. They will be warm and smart. Change the buttons if you think it is appropriate. Get a couple of nice warm berets or tams or Balmoral bonnets. Consider wearing gloves.

Are you familiar with the Cromach? A parade is a fine place to carry a ceremonial staff or walking stick.

Check your calendar and begin working backwards for deadlines and delivery dates. Scour eBay and the Army Surplus places for the rest of your kit. Go ahead and buy a cheap sporran, just to have one. Save your pennies.

Have a good time
MacLL

[Detroitpete]

That was magician/actor Ricky Jay in Heist, talking about Gene Hackman. My advice is to put your MONEY into a kilt and your time and imagination into the rest of your outfit. You have a little space, but I mention backup plans because you may need to change course at the last minute.

If you are marching or walking in a parade in Michigan in March, you will want to dress warmly. If you are walking beside your father and he is an official, you will want to dress well. Bear in mind, also, that Parade Dress is flashy and dressy, in an outdoor way. Since you do not have to match anyone else, why not have some fun?

Is your buddy getting the same kilt? Do you want to dress the same, or close to the same as him? Can you get some simple tailoring done? I would suggest you find a couple of military tunics and have them cut off to suit your kilts. They will be warm and smart. Change the buttons if you think it is appropriate. Get a couple of nice warm berets or tams or Balmoral bonnets. Consider wearing gloves.

Are you familiar with the Cromach? A parade is a fine place to carry a ceremonial staff or walking stick.

Check your calendar and begin working backwards for deadlines and delivery dates. Scour eBay and the Army Surplus places for the rest of your kit. Go ahead and buy a cheap sporran, just to have one. Save your pennies.

Have a good time
MacLL

See--that's why advice like this is BEST left to the professionals!

[Riverkilt]

You can have any two of price, quality, and service.

Choose wisely.

My vote is for the quality and service of a USA Kilts saffron semi-trad. But I'm prejudiced being repeatedly spoiled by Rocky and Kelly's quality and service.

[pdcorlis]

SWK offers Acrylic or Wool kilts
USAKilts offers PolyViscose or Wool kilts
Burnett's and Struth offers Wool Kilts

In my opinion the best fabric choice for a tartan kilt (unless you live in the tropics) is wool.

Second best choice is PolyViscose.

In my opinion Acrylic comes in third - with issues of sagging, bagging, and pilling.

I heartily agree with those who say buy the best kilt you can afford - unless its likely to get damaged where worn. SWK, USAKilts, B&S all make fine kilts but you will find differences in fit and finish based on the price point of the kilt.

Good luck with your decision and have fun in your kilt!

[Mr. MacDougall]

Actually, Paul, I believe you're mistaken, and Stillwater orders their kilts from overseas. Rocky at USA kilts makes his own, in both PV and wool.

Nor is the standard / economy / thrifty line at Stillwater made from PV; they're accrylic (as you can see on their info page). Now, I own three standards and two heavyweights from SWK, and in some cases the acrylic has held up better than others. They're comfortable, the fabric is a nice one, the range of tartans is greater... but really, seriously, if you can afford the price difference, get the heavyweight wool. You'll like the shadow-tartan, and the wool will hold up better over time.

SWK is not a perfect kilt, even in heavyweight. They're machine-sewn, and the pleat for the left edge of the outer apron is in the wrong place as obtained from the manufacturer (after you wear it several times, you'll see the more natural pleat line developing). However, for the cost? Can't be beat. Stillwater has served as a fantastic gateway for a lot of guys who want to try kilting, but don't want to drop the $200+ for even a casual kilt to experiment with.

And, as previously mentioned, their service simply can not be beaten.

You didn't mention where your parade is. Will there be snow on the ground? If it isn't horribly cold, a nice dress shirt, a sweater, some kilt hose, a belt and sporran, and you've got an outfit. With the saffron, your olive drab wooly-pully sweater will look fabulous.

However you choose to do it, welcome to the kilted rabble!