Newsome Kilt Review

[Downunder Kilt]

Very smart looking outfit. I also like the pinstripe look of the jacket, a very good look with the tartan you have. Congratulations on a great looking ensemble. Cheers

[SFCRick]

Very nice looking kilt, sporran, and jacket, SFCRick. As one who has to wear pinstripe suits as a sort of daily uniform, I'm curious if you will say from what company or tailor did you get the jacket?

I had the Jacket & vest made while is was in Edinburgh at Geoffrey (Tailor) about 9-10 years ago. It is a very thick wool.

[CMcG]

What can I say? I love this kilt! After ready different stories about Matt and his "Box- pleat" kilts I decided to order one in the Morrison green weathered tartan. The craftmanship is great. I have a few handmade kilts by well known kilt makers and this one is at least equal to if not better than all.
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I'd say you're very well turned out and I especially like the pinstripes. Rare enough as a kilt jacket but it looks great.

Would you care to elaborate about what what makes this kilt "at least equal to if not better than" your other kilts?

[Dale Seago]

Very, VERY nice look!! Having just become a Newsome kilt owner a couple of weeks ago (Douglas Modern & Weathered, respectively), I agree regarding the quality. Mine are knife-pleated and to the stripe, military fashion, rather than to the sett. They're also my two favorite kilts now. I was a bit surprised with the under-apron strap and buckle being invisibly hidden beneath the outer wrap. These aren't my only kilts to have only two straps/buckles instead of three, but I assume this way of doing it is a 19th-century thing. If so, I think it should have remained in fashion: I find I actually prefer it.

[Whidbey78]

DANG!! I've seen a few of Matt's kilts, bu this one is really, really nice. I like that look! It looks comfortable.

[Madadh]

SFCRick,

Meet you at Southern MD and you looked grand. Glad it was a cool day and not one of their warmer ones. I may just need to look into a Newsome kilt as well.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Very, VERY nice look!! Having just become a Newsome kilt owner a couple of weeks ago (Douglas Modern & Weathered, respectively), I agree regarding the quality. Mine are knife-pleated and to the stripe, military fashion, rather than to the sett. They're also my two favorite kilts now. I was a bit surprised with the under-apron strap and buckle being invisibly hidden beneath the outer wrap. These aren't my only kilts to have only two straps/buckles instead of three, but I assume this way of doing it is a 19th-century thing. If so, I think it should have remained in fashion: I find I actually prefer it.

If you are referring to having two straps and buckles as opposed to three, yes this was once very much the norm and is still considered the "traditional" way of making a kilt by many.,

But if you are referring to the interior closure I use on the left hip, that never was the norm in Scotland. That actually came from America! The kilts worn by the 79th New York Cameron Highlanders in the 1860s were made with that type of closure. Those kilt were made not by Scottish kiltmakers, but New York City dressmakers doing the best they could to make a Scottish kilt.

I find I actually prefer that method - the advantage I find is that it does not require putting the "buttonhole" in the kilt for the strap to pass through, which saves a step when making the kilt, but also makes future alterations much simpler. It is a relatively easy thing to reposition the straps and buckles. However, it's a lot harder to move a hole. :-)

Others who wear kilts made this way will agree with me that you cannot feel any difference when wearing the kilt. I also like that it brings in a bit of nineteenth century American history (as an American kiltmaker), and makes my kilts a bit unique.



For more info see:
http://newhousehighland.com/kilt_details.html

[Dale Seago]

Matt, thanks for the clarification and history lesson. Yes, I was referring mainly to the left-hip interior closure. I like it a lot. And I agree that it doesn't feel any different when worn, versus kilts with a left exterior buckle.

[tkdog]

This is what I wore to the Southern Maryland Games.

AHAA! - That's why you look familiar. I too saw you at the So. MD games, and remember thinking that you were indeed the best dressed at the festival that day. In fact, I was inspired to work a more "day-wear" look than "causal-wear" look for the next games I attend (Fair Hill, MD on 21 May if I can get a kitchen pass...).

Well done Sir!

[Highlander31]

Well put together. The hose and flashes are a nice balance to the jacket and waistcoat.