Time for Kilt #2

[joshuawray1]

Hey folks,

I'm new to the forum and have some questions.

I am a piper with my local band. As such I needed a kilt for gigs and what-not. I picked up a SWK Standard Irish National and absolutely love it.

Now I am faced with a bit of a dilemma. My first solo gig (for now) is scheduled for this October (5 months away), and I will be needing appropriate formal piping gear. I'm thinking that I will try to find a decent semi-formal package with kilt (kilt, Argyll, waistcoat, dress sporran) and then rent a PC or doublet for the gig, giving me a nice semi formal outfit that I own, and reserving the purchase of major formal wear for another time.

I already have a good set of ghillies, but that's about the only formal wear I have.

Looking at the Modern or Ancient MacFarlane tartan. I think that the modern would look more snappy for formal wear, but I do like the ancient and weathered looks as well. Should this be knife pleated to the line las most pipe bands have their kilts pleated? Will that work for the formal dress?

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I really like kilts pleated to the stripe (line) I am also a huge fan of weathered colours. However I'm not so fond of the orange red of the ancient tartans. Have you considered the green based MacFarlane hunting?

I don't know who you want to get your package deal from but if you shop around the advertisers here you stand a much better chance at getting quality goods handmade by craftsmen who really care about their work. USAkilts sells packages and I think the Scottish tartan museum will as well. Often it's more fun though to piece together the outfit from deals and various people Take a look around and most of all,

WELCOME TO XMARKSTHESCOT!

[Riverkilt]

Not sure where in the World you live, or how much money you have to spend.

My suggestion is that since you're a piper spend top dollar that you can afford with a quality kiltmaker and other vendors. Avoid middle men - work direct wherever you can.

Consider Lochcarron made-to-measure Argyle if you don't fit off-the-rack sizes well. Time to order and receive a made-to-measure by then if you order soon.

May also be worth the effort to put your own package together from the best vendors if you're able to afford that.

You sound rightfully proud. Show it in your turnout.

The sharper you look the more likely you'll be hired for more gigs and the more money you'll have to afford a top-of-the-line turnout.

[joshuawray1]

I really like kilts pleated to the stripe (line) I am also a huge fan of weathered colours. However I'm not so fond of the orange red of the ancient tartans. Have you considered the green based MacFarlane hunting?

I do like the green of the MacFarlane Hunting; however, I think that the modern MacFarlane (Red) does actually look good for evening dress.

I don't know who you want to get your package deal from but if you shop around the advertisers here you stand a much better chance at getting quality goods handmade by craftsmen who really care about their work. USAkilts sells packages and I think the Scottish tartan museum will as well. Often it's more fun though to piece together the outfit from deals and various people Take a look around and most of all,

I may have to go piecewise, just to get what I'm looking for.

WELCOME TO XMARKSTHESCOT!

Most appreciated.

[joshuawray1]

Not sure where in the World you live, or how much money you have to spend.

I live in the high desert in Southern California. It gets very warm here, but you already know that. I'm not that wealthy, but I can spare some money for a good kilt outfit maybe once every two years.

My suggestion is that since you're a piper spend top dollar that you can afford with a quality kiltmaker and other vendors. Avoid middle men - work direct wherever you can.

Consider Lochcarron made-to-measure Argyle if you don't fit off-the-rack sizes well. Time to order and receive a made-to-measure by then if you order soon.

May also be worth the effort to put your own package together from the best vendors if you're able to afford that.

You sound rightfully proud. Show it in your turnout.

The sharper you look the more likely you'll be hired for more gigs and the more money you'll have to afford a top-of-the-line turnout.

Excellent advice. I have thought about going piece-wise to get all the best. I do have the advantage of a somewhat local shop down in Rancho Cucamonga that will do fitting and such.

I'm still a bit a newbie piper seeing as I've only been to one band gig to play and I've been busting my chops for about a year now. As much as I hate to admit it though, you're right about looking sharp. People tend to hear what they see when it comes to presentation versus playing ability. Of course, if your poorly tuned or can't play at all, no amount of highland finery will make up for it.

[Snowbear]

I would say that you should go for a real good kilt. Always look perfect when playing, and make sure to show these people that you have done this lots of times (even if it's your first). It is much like in a band; a bit of mistakes on the playing is acceptable by the crowd, but any mistakes in the way of dressing or marching is unforgiveable. (I might be extra strict as I have been drilling cadets, but that is what I generally hear from the general audience)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Thanks for the mention, Hothir. But we purposefully don't sell "package deals." We are very much advocates for individuality in taste and style, and we don't want our clients looking like "cookie cutter Scotsmen" -- in other words, what fun would it be if everyone had the same outfit?

So we really encourage people to browse through the huge selection we offer and consider all their options and then purchase the items they want that reflect their style and taste.

For an outfit worn by a piper to play gigs in, there is a bit more to consider than for your average "man in a kilt," because even when you are doing a solo gig, it is still somewhat of a uniform. In other words, a lot of people who are hiring a piper are hiring you for a certain look, as well as a certain sound.

Ideally, a piper would be able to offer his clients a variety of "looks" and I have seen pipers advertise on their web sites with photos of the different outfits they can appear in, upon request.

I think the most versatile thing for you would be to have an 8 yard knife pleated kilt made, in whatever tartan you desire. Purchase a black Argyle jacket, a matching black waistcoat if you can budget it, and a decent black leather "hunting" style sporran. And get a good pair of solid hose to tone well with the tartan.

I know, I know, a lot of what I describe does look like "every other piper." But again, people do tend to expect a "certain look" and the above really is rather versatile, lending itself to formal as well as semi-formal wear (bow tie, neck tie, etc.).

If you have it within your budget, I'd upgrade to a pair of Argyle hose to match the kilt, and a hair sporran.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I am sorry if I wasn't clear Matt. I meant to suggest that if he talked to you, You could advise him on all the best of things from your store so that he could get a "package" ordering all from one place and be sure it was the best of highland apparel.

[mrtackytn]

Welcome to X-Marks - from Music City, USA - Nashville, TN !!

[joshuawray1]

Thanks for the mention, Hothir. But we purposefully don't sell "package deals." We are very much advocates for individuality in taste and style, and we don't want our clients looking like "cookie cutter Scotsmen" -- in other words, what fun would it be if everyone had the same outfit?

Quite right. I expect that I will be working with a vendor to put together an outfit rather than a one-outfit-suits-all sort of arrangement.

I know, I know, a lot of what I describe does look like "every other piper." But again, people do tend to expect a "certain look" and the above really is rather versatile, lending itself to formal as well as semi-formal wear (bow tie, neck tie, etc.).

Agreed. There is a certain expectation from what "the piper" will be wearing. All of the suggestions that you've made are very useful. I will be comparing what I need versus my budget for a bit before I start ordering.