Transitioning to Kilts (and Scotland)

[Jock Scot]

I am not knocking the advice that you have been given, but be aware that many Scots will know little of the "modern " adaptations of the kilt that you may take for granted. One example that I can give,although I have only gleaned this information from this website, as I have never seen a "modern" kilt.

You may well wish to go one of the formal events whilst you are there and you may find that the "modern" style kilt hanging from your hips as opposed to above your navel for a traditional kilt, will not easily "take" to a formal jacket well-----there is the dreaded gap problem between the top of the kilt anf the bottom of the jacket-----a situation to be avoided!

One more thing the bottom of the kilt needs to be no lower than the centre of your knee cap, in Scotland, ever.Just to the top of the knee cap would be better still.Have fun you lucky devil!

[Hothir Ethelnor]

If I were you I'd get a wool 4 yard box pleated kilt. It's just as versatile as an 8 yarder and it costs and weighs less. (may be important while packing...) You can get one hand sewn by Matt at the Tartan Museum, or John at Keltoi (both have a pretty long kilt queue though) or Skye Highland Outfitters sells a machine sewn box pleated kilt for $250.

If you want to be able to throw it in the washing machine get a good 8 Yard polyviscose kilt. As mentioned, USAkilts and Skye Highland Outfitters are the best places. PV is available in fewer tartans though.

[seatdistrict]

@xman: My father would certainly appreciate a red and black tartan (his school colors). After taking another look at the Keith tartan, though, I think that could easily work. Thanks for the input.

@Jock Scot: I agree about wearing my casual UK to more formal events, which is why I'm hoping to get a nice, traditional kilt (as well as a jacket, etc.) also.

I think I'll be able to make it to Franklin, NC to see the tartan museum, which sounds very promising. Would it be preferable to get a kilt there or to look in Scotland? I would like to have it made to measure/get it in person either way (I'm looking for something to last me for a good while).

[Monkey@Arms]

Welcome to the addiction. I found that the 2" wide solid leather belts sold by eBay store Dangerous Threads makes an excellent choice for my black UK's and as a casual belt for my traditionally styled kilts. It is also one of the least expensive belts of that size that you are likely to find.

Regarding whether to buy your kilt here or in Scotland, that's a tough one. A lot depends on how much you want to spend, as ironically I believe you'll find more options for lower cost custom made kilts here. That said, you may find your kilt has more personal significance if you can say to people, "I had it made for me while a student at St. Andrews." You might also want to factor in the amount of time it takes to make a kilt (i.e. would it be done before you go).

Also, if you are looking for something that blends in with other kilt wearers in Scotland, I would stick to knife pleats.

Best regards,

Jake


P.S. There is wealth of information (and wide range of opinion) on this forum, so don't forget that the search feature is you friend.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Go with Matt if you'd like he's a wonderful kiltmaker.

USAkilts, Skye Highland, Keltoi, all of them have skilled kilt-makers willing to work with you on the details and they make their kilts to your individual measurements. (USAK does also stock off the shelf stuff.)

Machine sewn pleats aren't a bad thing neccessarily. I can't comment on USAK as I don't own one, but Skye's Kilts (everything besides their casual model) are part machine sewn with hand sewn interfacing and lining work done to the same standards employed by those who sew everything by hand. The PV kilts are top-stitched. I think their box pleated wool ones are as well but I imagine that they could be pleated from the inside without too much difficulty. (I have made a machine box pleat for myself using this method.)

Keltoi makes his kilts by hand and I would guess that his standards are close to what Matt can make.

Go talk to Matt, he'll have good things to say and if you want to talk to your kilt-maker face to face he's probably your best bet.

[toadinakilt]

One of my hopes and dreams is to own a 4-yard box pleat made by Matt Newsome. Aside from excellent craftsmanship, you will get the absolute personal touch by ordering from him.

[Jordan]

I’m often to be seen wandering around my little corner of the Country in a UK or other "modern" kilts but I’ve never run across anyone else up here who has a UK. I know there is one gentleman in Dumfries who has a little known guesthouse who has an original UK for cooking in but I would guess that we are two of very few in Scotland.

As to buying a kilt in Scotland or on your side of the pond I have bought From America (UK's and SWK's) and from here I find in my experience that the two I have had made for me are better in weight and just general feel when wearing them than others. Now that said I would think that a proper kilt made for you will always feel better no matter where it was made. Not that helps you decide in anyway sorry.

Jordan

[Martyn]

You are very lucky. St Andrews is such a super place, I often visit the Uni there in my kilts too! My oppinion:

1 I have a black kilt and it looks superb for weeks and weeks of continuous wear, why because it is the AR1 material from TFCKs. Believe me don't compromise on the material, it will soon look crappy.
2 St Andrews may be nice but it will often be very windy and cold and wet! So consider a full 8 yard kilt, it will hold out the wind stay warm and in the rain stay dry (well the AR1 does anyway)
3 Yes wait till you get there, go to Edinburgh and get a kilt made for you with good advice from a good kiltmaker.
4 Don't be tempted by the cheep kilts (£20 will get you one in the city centre!) they are rubbish, spend at least £200 on a 6 year or £300 on an 8 yeard.
5 Ring around the main kilt makers hire departments, you could get an ex hire bargain; a quality kilt for very little.

Good luck... Martyn

[ForresterModern]

Congrats on the graduation, and for the posting to St Andrews---I could think of a lot worse places to have to spend a few years of my youth. Was there for a day two years ago (kilted) and had a good time. There is a kilt shop in town on the main drag, but it seemed more geared to rental than purchase.

You will get some looks from locals wearing a kilt at all, but definitely if you wear a Utilikilt, something likely unseen by 99% of the general scottish population in their lives to date. A standard 5 or 8 yard tartan kilt will go over much better, although as I mention above you will be in a minority and see few other kilt wearers on a daily basis.

If you are looking for a basically black kilt in wool but with a little tartan pattern to it you should look at Marton Mills 16oz material in Black Isle or Black Shadow tartan. They are basically black heavyweight wool kilting fabrics, the Black Isle having a very subtle dark grey tartan pattern to it while the Black Shadow is black wool with a tartan pattern in the fabric based on variations in the thread used to weave it (more a textured tartan pattern than a colored one). Either would suit your all black dressing tendency.

If you are in St Andrews by the second week in August let me know as I will be coming through for a few days on a golfing vacation. We could perhaps meet up for a beer or three.

Enjoy St Andrews, and welcome to kilting.



jeff

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

As Jock has already pointed out, the canvas "quasi-kilt" is relatively unknown in Scotland (actually it's probably more like "virtually unknown" in Scotland) and may possibly be the cause of scorn or derision if worn "out and about" on a regular basis by a foreigner.

My advice would be to buy a kilt in Scotland once you get there and you've had a chance to suss out exactly what the other students are doing, kilt-wise. Contrary to much of the advice offered thus far, it seems silly to me to buy a kilt in the USA to take to Scotland when you can buy one there.