Some advice for a newcomer?

[Galician]

Bienvenue! Since you're in Europe, you can, of course, consider kiltmakers in Scotland, and perhaps save dealing with duty taxes. One who is very popular with members of this forum is Geoffrey Tailor in Edinburgh. You can find his website online.

[ChromeScholar]

Although, I'm not sure what all the taxes and fees would be like going from the U.S. to the E.U., or even from the U.K. to where you live. That might get heavy.
Reply With Quote

Considering the dollar to euro exchange rate, it might not be too bad right now.

[James MacMillan]

All those questions, and more, can be answered just by reading the different threads on this forum, so there is no need for me to re-hash them.

But I would like to say - - from Sunny Southern California!

[starbkjrus]

You may want to take a look at Union Kilts in Wales. I think they build a lot of kilts for the Metalhead / Punk folks.

Oh, and from Northern Virginia, USA

[Wolf]

Thanks for all the advice, I didn't expect that much replies in such a short time.
Seems like I'm definitively getting myself a kilt.
Concerning the taxes, I think could get around them as my dad can get stuff tax-free rather easily through his job, however I never ordered anything from the states and swiss border guards tend to get anoying sometimes (however they wouldn't dare to leave something around).
As cavscout mentioned it, I might get a Poly/Viscose kilt as it will probably get dirty but what are the visual differences? I guess that a wool kilt would look better but how big is the difference between the wool and Poly/Viscose kilt?
I just had a discussion with my parents concerning budget and they decided to spoil me so I might go for the wool and maybe get a Poly/Viscose one to wear when going to a concert or festival. But I'm going to try to avoid an expensive mistake (you never know) and maybe only get a single one. As my parents are insisting on quality I'll go for wool.
Concerning the pleats, I think I understood that these are the delicate part of the kilt, would a kilt that I order be pleated before they send it to me, and up to what point do these pleats resist? (I heard that I'll have to "re-pleat" (is basting the correct term?) my kilt only once or twice a year (depending on the quality of the kilt of course), but is this so if you wear it only on a couple of formal ocasions or on a daily basis?).
Right now I'll be looking for some more definitive tartans and clans which might be related to my home-country (any usefull link tough concerning these could be usefull)

PS: I live in the western (french-speaking) part of Switzerland, in Geneva
PPS: One more, accessories: I think I'll go simply with a sporran and good looking belt, but are there any other "must" accessories (for casual wear of course) that I should get?

[Monkey@Arms]

Wolf,

These are all good questions. You'll find a lot of answers in this free publication: Kilts and Tartans Made Easy by Dr. Nick Fiddes. You might also want to visit the articles section of this forum. Last, but by no means least, a wealth of information from kilt and tartan historian Matt Newsome is available here.

Best regards,

Jake

P.S. If those sources don't hold the answer, don't forget about the search feature.

[McMurdo]

from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
I would say as well as a belt and sporran, you really should invest in a few pair of kilt hose, even if you scrunch them down for casual wear with boots, they look much better than an ordinary pair of socks.

[Arlen]

First off, a big welcome from Scotland.
ChromeScholar gave you some great advice.
Yes, there are people who will be idiots about you wearing a kilt if you're not Scottish.
Need a link to Scotland? What about liking kilts. Want to show that you like Scotland? Why not get a kilt. What tartan? Any you want. The Scottish national tartan, the Black Stewart, A Nightstalker tartan whatever you want.

As far as wearing a clan tartan... If it makes you uncomfortable, don't. If you want to but aren't sure, how about learning about the clan tartan you like. Their history. The history of the kilt itself.
Basically, if you like them, wear them and be proud about it.

[SteveB]

I am also new to this site. My hobby is genealogy and things Irish. The first time kilted you will be forever kilted! There is nothing like the freedom a kilt provides. I constructed my first kilt of solid colour 14 oz cotton denim that was on clearance at a local fabric shop. I still get compliments on the subway or bus. Should you decide to construct your own The Art of Kiltmaking by Barbra Tewksbury is excellent. She is a regular on this site. The first four chapters cover what to look for in a kilt as far as quality, design, and of course the need of accurate measurements. I recommend acquiring a kilt pin - it is warn on the front apron only and provides for keeping things under cover in a breeze or while seated. --- Steve

[sorcererdale]

Welcome. Soon you will find how much "fun" wearing a kilt can be. Hope you post a picture later on too! As you can see what I have below my name, it will work for you!

DALE.