I have a modern kilt and want a great kilt.

[Burly Brute]

Greetings all! My name is Zach and I stumbled upon this forum searching google for kilt related stuff. That being said, great site and greetings to all!

Ok, now on to the important stuff!

Question 1:

I would like to purchase fabric for a great kilt. I live in the middle of Phoenix, and cant find quality fabric anywhere! I am 6'3, around 44 waist, i am also long-waisted which proves difficult. Any recommendations and things to avoid?

Question 2:

I recently bought a "Hunting MacGregor" modern kilt from a store that was closing out here for a really good price, the issue however is I am not specifically MacGregor, and am planning to attend the tucson celtic festival this weekend. My issue is I dont want to ruffle any feathers, is that an issue for most? Also, the seller didnt have any sporans left and I planned to purchase one this weekend, can I wear the kilt without the sporan? Thanks all!

Blessings,
Zach

[xman]

My issue is I dont want to ruffle any feathers, is that an issue for most?

Praise the clan and the tartan all the while and you'll be more than fine.

Also, the seller didnt have any sporans left and I planned to purchase one this weekend, can I wear the kilt without the sporan? Thanks all!

Not publicly.

[artificer]

Welcome aboard! Kilting is an addiction. You HAVE been warned

To answer your questions,
1) You'll most likely need to order your fabric. There are many good resources for good quality wool. A quick forum search will reveal more.

2) Just make the sporran stand your first stop and you'll be right. Don't worry, lacking a sporran is a pretty minor 'offense' compared to some of the things you'll see at the festival.

BTW: Sporrans tend to be one of those things were you get EXACTLY what you pay for. Buying a $25 sporran at a festival will almost certainly guarantee that it's made of "leatherboard" which is essentially leather scraps minced and glued together. It'll be okay for a start, but you'll eventually want to upgrade to something made from real leather.

[MacMillans son]

I would add a little, and respectfully disagree with my friend Xman on a point.

You may want to learn a little about the clan whose tartan you are wearing. Where in Scotland they hail from, maybe the clan motto etc. Not enough to write a thesis on, but a few bits to get familiar with the clan.

However, I would respectfully disagree with Xman on not wearing the kilt in public without the sporran. Although it is not common, because we usually have things we need to carry, no one will assault you for not wearing a sporran between the car and the vendor. You may want to bring something along to carry your keys, wallet, cell phone, etc in until you find the sporran you like though.

I would say however that wearing the sporran in public without a kilt would definitely not be advised

Welcome aboard!!


Brooke

[xman]

... no one will assault you for not wearing a sporran between the car and the vendor.

We do not disagree my friend.

[Burly Brute]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I have tried to do some research, but somehow I end up on "clan sites" (clan sites in quote because I have no idea if they are legit) and the last one said that there wasnt even a hunting macgregor and that it was actually just a specific family tartan within the clan. So confusing!!! It is hard because on my mothers side I am berry, brasil, wilson, and sweat...and on my father's side I am either 1st generation dutch, or a Brown..not sure.

As far as the sporran goes, I definately am looking to spend 50-65 bucks, but I would like to get a pretty casual one, I am not too fancy. Haha.

Thanks for the welcome, this definately seems like a very kind and authorative bunch of celts! I am really glad I joined!

-Zach

[Pleater]

It all depends on what you want to buy to make the great kilt, but possibly something mail order would be a start.

Here in the UK I have never found the pure wool quality fabrics available in any more than a 54 inch width - presumably that is down to the looms they are made on.

On the other hand wool blends are normally 60 inches wide. You might find that - at your height - the extra six inches are valuable.

I'd also recommend buying a generous length - you can always cut off an annoying half yard too much, but finding that it would have been nice to have a bit more fabric to wrap around once you are trying to actually wear the thing is really not good for the blood pressure. Remember you should be able to sit down as well as walk about in it.....

Plus you're going to find all sorts of little extras you could make from a bit more tartan. Then you'll need to have the tunic to wear underneath the great kilt, and some good leather stuff, in addition to what you need for your MacGregor.

A slippery slope indeed.

Has anyone said 'welcome to the addiction' yet?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[denmcdough]

from the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania.

With that said, the above posts have already warned you of the addiction! I started this kilt thing about one year ago, and I'm head over heels into it!

As for the kilt you purchased...just check into the history of it, and know some pertinent information about that clan. That way, if anyone asks you about it, you can give an intelligent answer. And, no, the kilt police will not haul you away for not being a member of that particular clan.

[auld argonian]

Hey...don't forget a belt! Of not a kilt belt then as wide as you can get...

I really side with the folks who are telling you to skip over a "starter" sporran and get something that you'll be happier with in the long run. Check out the Buzz Kidder sporrans that are available from several sources for an economical but solid choice.

Have a blast at the fest and, again, as a few have mentioned, you'll see some "kilt don'ts" that'll blow your socks (kilt hose) off...sounds like you're making a noble effort to do it right so carry on and don't be too amazed at some of the weirdness...


Best

AA

[biblemonkey]

Don't worry about wearing a kilt without a sporran. Though it make it look a little less "kilt" like to do so, it is also a modern and casual variation on kilt wearing to just go without. I see casual pub goers who love and respect kilts but just don't like sporrans for some reason do this all the time and they still look great. As others have said, however, you will need a place to carry small items so think that part through. I have seen some men use a pouch clipped onto the side of the kilt belt as an alternative storage space.