1st Thread, First Kilt, Need help within

[GaRebel211]

I will second the need for a sporran and or belt/sporran chain. Unless your planning on a more formal look, the only other real essential I believe is a sporran. Plus depending on your kilt it may not have any pockets which means you'll have no place to keep your keys/wallet/etc. Happy hunting for your kilt.

[SmokinScotsman]

Keeping to the point. I personally have 1 kilt (13oz, 8yd tartan), 1 Sport kilt (Works model), 2 "fakies" (acrylic wool), and 2 Utilikilts. Out of all of those, trying to stay inexpensive I would tell you to go with a "utility" kilt. Reason being...
1) that you don't have to buy any accessories to go with it. You can make due with a "regular" belt (although I would get a "cool" belt buckle), and a pair of boots. If you go with the "cheap" stuff it is usually made in Pakistan, and doesn't have near the quality of Scottish stuff.
2) The PV and acrylic wool are ALOT on the lighter side, in my opinion. I personally have gotten used to having a heavier weight fabric, and the 2 aforementioned like to "fly" in a nice breeze. Again, if you go with the "cheap" stuff it is usually made in Pakistan.
3) Utilikilt in particular is sized more like a pair of jeans. I will say that I personally think they are way to over priced, but if you are not having to buy anything else it offsets that fact.

If you have the courage I would say try your hand at making an Xkilt, you will save major money, and get a taste of wearing a kilt.

[Ozymandias]

Well, after *careful* consideration (a.k.a. gaining input from the wife) it appears as if the 5 yd wool job from USAKilts is going to be a wee bit more of an investment we [sic. she] is willing to make.

So, what we went back and considered is the Casual Kilt from USAKilts. However, I am NOT fond of the idea of having Velcro!

I think I found a tartan as well, which is the MacKenzie Dress. I dont have an identified family clan (Downey, O'Downey, or Douney) are variants. So I am going on color schemes alone of what I like.

I already ordered this shirt, and the MacKenzie Dress tartan is added below just to illustrate for you my proposed sample.


So, with someone of my size, 31.5 in waist at navel 36.5 hips, should I go with a std 1 1/2 in belt, or larger?


Opinions? Comments? Hopes? Fears? Rants?

[wildrover]

Oz-

I agree wholeheartedly with the UtiliKilt suggestion. The other beauty of the UK, and of your desire in general for casual, is that you can probably dig through the bottom of the coat closet (or wherever you keep your boots) and find something that will work. I have an old, beat up pair of "garage" Docs, a new pair I got for casual work wear recently, and a pair of Red Wings...all work with the kilt, and they're things I already had. With the UK, there's no need for a sporran, just pick up a belt and a buckle somewhere...you could even, I think, have a belt made from sturdy leather and pick up a buckle of your choice, and have somebody local put it all together for you. Since the kilt holds itself up, the buckle doesn't need to be particularly tight, so there's less likelihood the pin on a small standard buckle will oval the hole in the strap.

If you're really looking to kilt up...talk to SHO about an 8yd PVC, if I remember right, they run around 400 bucks. A cheap (I do mean cheap...it's "particle board" leather) sporran is 15-30$ with chain and strap, and if you're going casual with a t-shirt untucked, hoodie or sweater, there's really no need for a belt. Hose you can get for 20-30$, flashes maybe ten to twenty bucks...

But...my advice is, spend as much as possible on the kilt itself, since it's the foundation for the rest of your kit, and look through your current clothing and footwear for things that already work.

-Sean

[Zardoz]

Oz, have we met? It's hard recognize you around the Arai!

Lots of good advice here, but let me chime in, while I know a few guys in our part of the world who are running the 5 yard wool from USA Kilts, they still find the wool a little hot. You are going to sweat up that kilt pretty easy. I would recommend the PV Semi-Traditional from USAK instead, it's going to be cooler, washable, and less expensive.

BTW, That's a fancy sporran!

[jilly]

I personally think tall skinny guys look lovely, in Kilts or otherwise!

Myself personally being tall and skinny (even though i'm a girl) I understand being self conscious about it.

I think any kiltmakers worth there salt will be able to advise you properly when you go in and steer you in the right direction. I am no expert but my dad is very kilt-friendly and he used to go to one round the corner from us in Pailsey and they would never let you look a fool and would talk you through the best options. I assume it would be the same for any reputable place!

Best of luck- don't forget to show pictures of the results!

Jill

[BatlRatl]

I personally think tall skinny guys look lovely, in Kilts or otherwise!

Myself personally being tall and skinny (even though i'm a girl) I understand being self conscious about it.

I think any kiltmakers worth there salt will be able to advise you properly when you go in and steer you in the right direction. I am no expert but my dad is very kilt-friendly and he used to go to one round the corner from us in Pailsey and they would never let you look a fool and would talk you through the best options. I assume it would be the same for any reputable place!

Best of luck- don't forget to show pictures of the results!

Jill

Indeed, Jilly is right on the mark. Still kinda skinny, boney (not bonnie) kneed me, think I look great in a kilt. Just because youre taller than the average, does'nt mean you can't look good. You have to try different styles of shirts, jackets, etc. and take pictures to see for yourself what works for you. But most of all, with whatever you wear with your kilt, wear confidence.
WELCOME TO THE RABBLE!ith:

[jilly]

How did you get on then?

[D.A. Guertin]

Ozy,

If you're not in any big rush, TRF starts in about 6 weeks, and there are a couple of kilt vendors out there that really aren't particularly overpriced, and you have the advantage of being able to actually try them on... I want to say the last beater I picked up out there was 5 yards of mixed fibre for $125. They also have hose for about $20, flashes for $10 or so, and sporrans, proper sporrans, for anywhere from $50 or so up to $200. I also have a couple of spare sporrans if you're looking for local. You can find great kilts with or without cheater pleats, 3-buckle regular kilts, and everything in between...

[Ozymandias]

so the new rig should look something like this: Tartan is called "Scottish National". Wasnt my first pick... but the price was right.