Questioning thoughts

**Jock Scot** · 24th August 10, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by tulloch

And some aircraft engines that saved the world!

Quite right, but I thought it best to "keep our feet on the ground".

**Santa Wally** · 24th August 10, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

In support of what MacMillan of Rathdown has said, here's a link to a wonderful thread by wildrover about what a well-made kilt can handle:

20 Miles in an Heirloom

Thanks for the link to "20 miles in a heirloom". I had missed that thread when it was originally posted. What great photos of your kilted adventure. My kilted hike yesterday in the Smoky Mountains National Park was nothing compared with your 20 miles.

Now back on topic: I had never had a kilt till March 2009. My first purchase, at the Zephyrhills Celtic Festival, was a Sport Kilt (now gone) in the Wallace, tartan. My wife's comment that day was, "when will you ever wear that again." I felt safe with the price of the Sport Kilt and I could justify it since it was my family tartan. One week later, I had joined the Clan Claus Society and was started down the slippery slope of getting my own kilt collection. Without that first inexpensive kilt, I would not now be the proud possessor of 5 kilts purchased since the Sport Kilt which was deleted from my collection in Rocky's "Kilts for Clunkers" offer when I ordered 2 USA Casual kilts. I also have my custom wool Clan Claus kilt (Claus of the North Pole, STA # 7869) and a Wallace tartan "Edgar of Scotland" wool tank.

So without that first Sport Kilt, I'd still be kiltless. It served it's purpose, but I would not steer anyone that way, I'd recommend a made to measure USA casual for a first kilt to start someone to the pleasure of kilt wearing. Just my 2 cents.

**Detroitpete** · 24th August 10, 02:27 PM

I started off wearing kilts as an athlete at Scottish Games. In heavy athletics I felt I needed to have a kilt that could take a real mashing that I wasn't afraid to get torn, tacky covered and snagged by cabers, so I started out on the inexpensive side of things with Sportkilts and Stillwater. I then started wearing my kilts out and about to the pubs and found the 'bashers' I was wearing a bit lacking, but I wasn't sure if I wanted or needed a full on 'tank'. I got great advice here. "Get the best kilt you can afford". After testing the waters with 2 Stillwater Standards I decided to have Matt Newsome whip me up a real doosey. Knife pleat, 16 oz, Locharron, made to fit, in a tartan I designed. WOW--what a difference!

I still wear my bashers to the games and my Stillwater Standards for pubbing and cruising about, but my Newsome can't be beat. I wore it to the Masters World Championships and had a number of comments like, "Now THAT's a KILT"!

It was worth saving up for. The more inexpensive models were a good way for me to dip my toe in the water, as it were, but now that I wear kilts more often, I'm inclined to give the same advice: Get the best kilt you can afford. You won't be sorry.

**kennethrmc** · 24th August 10, 03:32 PM

I want to reaffirm what Rocky said, "An informed consumer is a happy customer". The thing I love about X Marks is that I've found reviews here for every level of kilt, explaining exactly what it is and how it wears, etc. Personally, I am happy when anyone chooses to wear a kilt and has a good experience. The only thing not good is when a seller misrepresents their product--insinuating it is made where it was not, or is something it is not. Thankfully, I have found that vendors who advertise on X Marks are fully transparent about their wares and that means we have informed and happy customers. This forum is great because it provides accurate information on the whole plethora of kilts available to buyers. As long as information is accurately given re. a product, then it's all good. Let the customer buy what they want as long as they know what they're getting.

**bdkilted** · 24th August 10, 04:12 PM

Couldn't agree more. I started out with the custom kilt, and bought some cheaper (yes, even Pakistani) acessories. I am slowly replacing the poorer quality as it wears out with better items, since now I have a number of vendors that I can choose from. I still don't quite have all the formal outfit together, but since I rarely go to a formal event, that is OK.

**jkane** · 25th August 10, 08:38 AM

Would you throw an 8 yard tank kilt in the washing machine and lay it out on a drying rack to dry, or even better, toss it in the dryer for a short 10 minute pre-dry and then lay it out on a drying rack so it can be worn later that same day?

I really don't know the answer! But I love my stillwater as this is how I wash it. And it needs washing a couple times a month with the way I abuse it.

Beer Camp this weekend! There is no doubt I will come home Sunday muddy and have beer and mead stains on my kilt. It would not be as much fun if it weren't dirty after 3 days of drinking homebrew and sleeping outdoors.

**Detroitpete** · 25th August 10, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by jkane

Would you throw an 8 yard tank kilt in the washing machine and lay it out on a drying rack to dry, or even better, toss it in the dryer for a short 10 minute pre-dry and then lay it out on a drying rack so it can be worn later that same day?

I really don't know the answer! But I love my stillwater as this is how I wash it. And it needs washing a couple times a month with the way I abuse it.

Beer Camp this weekend! There is no doubt I will come home Sunday muddy and have beer and mead stains on my kilt. It would not be as much fun if it weren't dirty after 3 days of drinking homebrew and sleeping outdoors.

Jeff--Now ya went and made me THIRSTY!!!

Have fun!