First USAKilt Casual received

**Thom Leno** · 30th June 10, 10:40 AM

I received my kilt last Friday and as soon as I picked it up at the PO on my way out of town and went straight back home to change into it from my Casual SportKilt.

What a difference! Admittedly my SportKilt (the first kilt owned ever, friend recommended) was an off the rack sized S, M, L, XL, XXL - (ok XXL).

Both PV but a huge difference in the material. The USAKilt was also made to measure. Gents, don't buy off the rack for anything unless you are buying off the rack because they happen to have your specific measurements or you have a good reason to.

I also have a SportKilt Boulder model which was made to measure which had more tradition lines. Unfortunately I sent in poor measurements (I'm the idiot in that one) and I am stuck with what looks to be a very nice more traditional but Khaki solid color kilt that was intended for Office Work wear. Unfortunately I need to lose at least 4 inches off my waist to fit. I am much more careful now....

I don't think you can compare Casual SportKilts to Casual USAKilts, because they are different animals based on the made to measure factor alone and USAKilts are made what seems to me more traditional. I am not by any stretch very knowledgeable about kilts. I'm very new to this, but I know what I like based on what I have experienced. I see subtle differences in how things are made. The other SportKilt - the boulder I purchased seems much more traditional and I think it would work very well for what I had intended had I actually read the instructions on measuring. What a waste.... very sharp pleats and lines. Made to measure it looked more like a kilt. My wife when I changed from the SportKilt Casual to the USAKilt said "That one looks like a kilt. the other one I can now say looked more like a skirt." How nice she spared my feelings as I walked around for a month in public in a "skirt". But I think that goes directly back to the Made to Measure or XXL off the rack. Not SportKilts fault, mine for buying it.

Anyway, I wear kilts all the time now and the maintenance of the USAKilt Casual, is very easy although I iron the pleats every morning though I don't believe it's entirely necessary. I just like to be neat. I just have this overwhelming feeling a kilt can be worn anyway or with whatever you want as long as it is being worn with the respect it deserves. If you always think about it in that way, you will have a hard time going wrong. In most places I have seen with someone wearing a kilt, whether in a t-shirt and kilt or dressed to the 9's, you can tell when respect is always being given to the kilt.

Now with respect to Vermonter's and kilts. We need more kilts in Vermont. Please. I'm just asking you. Pass the word. A little story and I'm done.

I walk into Wal-Mart after putting on my new USAKilt on Friday morning and I'm greeted by the usual greeter person. I walk over by the Customer Service Desk and there is a mother and two children about 5 or 6 in age. As I'm walking by the boy exclaims in awe to his mother "Look mommy a leprechaun!"

Again, pass the word, Please.... More Kilts in Vermont!

**Mike in Dayton** · 30th June 10, 04:47 PM

I like that "look mommy a leprechaun!" Coming from a 6 year old I would take that as a complement.

I have two USAKilts. I wear them most of the time now over the contemporary kilts I own. I have a suspicion that I may end up with a third before the summer is out. The stumbling block is which tartan to get. I have narrowed it down to three. The final decision will be influenced by what I plan to wear with the kilt.

Enjoy your new kilt!

Mike

**dutchy kilted** · 30th June 10, 06:09 PM

Yeah, I kind of know that feeling, going from Amerikilts and UK's to my first USAK earlier this year. (Lucky for me, I live close enough to the store to have Rocky measure me, so I know that it would fit.) Just the whole feel of a fitted kilt was a great experience. Hopefully your current kilt is just the first of many!

**RockyR** · 30th June 10, 06:35 PM

Glad you're enjoying the kilt, Thom. Now we need some pics of you wearing it!

**billmcc** · 30th June 10, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

...Now we need some pics of you wearing it!

Rocky is right. It didn't happen without a picture.

**Riverkilt** · 30th June 10, 09:33 PM

You don't need to iron PV - get a steamer...you'll love how the pleats fall back into place with a single pass.

And next.....SEMI-TRADITIONAL!!

**Tobus** · 1st July 10, 06:34 AM

You don't need to iron PV - get a steamer...you'll love how the pleats fall back into place with a single pass.

I have one of Rocky's PV casual kilts too, but I've never found a need to iron or steam it. The "perma-pleats" stay as they should, all on their own. No muss, no fuss!

Thom, it sounds like you're well on your way to becoming more of a kilt traditionalist, if you don't mind my saying so. I think it's great. And I have to agree with Riverkilt on this point too: next up should be a semi-trad or even a full-blown traditional kilt. If you're anything like me (which may or may not be a good thing!), you'll feel more confident the closer you get to a traditional kilt.

**Kilted Jeeper** · 1st July 10, 07:02 AM

Thom,

Thank you for posting this as you just made my decision for me....my next will be a USAK Casual from Rocky.....now I just need to get the OK from my Chief Financial Officer (aka. the wife).

**Thom Leno** · 1st July 10, 07:18 AM

A steamer! Great advice. Thanks! I'm contemplating which kilt will be next. My wife has fully realized and accepted that kilts are the norm and only if absolutely necessary will trousers come in to play. The other kilt has been relegated to yardwork around the house - xtra casual type wear. I'm saving for something warm for the winter, even if my employer won't allow me to wear a kilt during the Academic year (I don't know yet, I've put in a formal request "up the chain" for an exception to the dress code) I will wear one and change to whatever they require on campus and change back when leaving.

I may end up moving up the line semi-trad and upward. I just know there is much more to come.

Okay... a picture. I so love to pose for pictures. But you are right. Tis only fair.

It's great that Rocky includes a bunch of business cards in your orders. I keep a couple in my pockets to hand out because it never fails, someone says something.

I had a guy at a coffee house (music is played people drink coffee and basically have a good time) tell me he just couldn't wear a kilt, it wasn't right. He was standing alone about 6-8 feet away and had interrupted a conversation I was having with 3 ladies. I'm no looker let me tell you. I pointed out his and my immediate situation and mentioned he might rethink his position on kilts. It was all in fun, but the point was made. There will be more kilts in Vermont!

Have a great day guys! and THANKS!

Pete - I also need approval from my CFO - If you ever needed a reason to treat your wife better - this is it. Hopefully, your wife is always treated like the precious jewel you knew she was when she picked you. (There is no way any of us picked out our wives. if you think that's the way it went, think back....)

**Kilted Jeeper** · 1st July 10, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Thom Leno

Pete - I also need approval from my CFO - If you ever needed a reason to treat your wife better - this is it. Hopefully, your wife is always treated like the precious jewel you knew she was when she picked you. (There is no way any of us picked out our wives. if you think that's the way it went, think back....)

You are very correct sir!