First Kilt Advice

[piperdbh]

Something to keep in mind is that a kilt does not have to be high-yardage. There are 4-, 5- and 6-yard kilt which are all perfectly viable options.

About the fringe: some kilts have a fringe on the right edge of the front apron. My understanding is that a kiltmaker sews on an extra piece of fabric and pulls out the vertical threads, leaving the horizontal ones to make a fringe. It's purely optional to have the fringe or to not have it. My current 3 kilts have no fringe; my next one will have it.

Have you tried searching ebay and like sites for already-made kilts? Sometimes you can find just what you're looking for, at a reduced price compared to a bespoke kilt.

[Riverkilt]

Most important advice is to find an Australian kiltmaker you can deal direct with if at all possible.

AVOID middlemen, "I can get it for you." vendors who contract out the work.

You may need to do some research to find a kiltmaker. Perhaps asking pipe bands who sews up their kilts for them. Or ask friends or people you meet who own hand sewn kilts who their kiltmaker is.

Maybe our Australian X Marks members will share any independent kiltmaker information with you.

[tulloch]

Welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts, USA, North America and happy Boxing Day. I agree with Jock that you should get the best you can afford. You can find a lot of stuff out there for 100 to 200 USD and before you know it you could have two or more and still not the ONE you will be satisfied with and hold dear for life. It is important that your weight be stable. People who have changes in size don't have much luck staying with a kilt through the changes.

The advice to rent one or spend some time trying some on is good so you get the feel. I really agree that having a local maker (someone close enough to drive to so you can see a fabric samples and get measured by) do it is the way to go. I know we have some great companies around making great products but when you measure yourself - especially the first kilt - it has to be correct.

Good luck, keep us posted, show pictures and welcome again!

[Macca]

this may help - if your page doesn't look like this with the advertiser banner it could be an issue with your browser.

Yes, I tried XMTS on Chrome and the ribbon of ads appeared. Investigated a bit more now that I knew what to look for, and my ad blocker addon in Firefox had blocked even the ads I wanted!

Cheers,

Macca

[Downunder Kilt]

G'day Macca, welcome to XMarks. What part of the country are you in?

Having worn a kilt through many Victorian summers and some bloody hot ones in recent years, I have not found much difference between 13oz and 16oz. 8 yard kilts in relation to heat retention. In relation to a suppliers, there is one in Australia, I would recommend, that being a firm in Queensland, All Things Tartan and now part of the StKilda Group, Doug and his kiltmaking wife Karen are great to deal with. I also have kilts from two of the forum sponsers, Scotweb and Matt Newsome (New Highland House). I am sure that you will get all the help needed to make the selection of your first kilt a great experience

Edit-Just read your last post Macca and in order to get a 10% discount at Scotweb you have to go through the ad on this site

[Macca]

DK

I'm from Victoria but currently spending Feb-Nov in Canberra - so on second thoughts extra warmth couldn't be such a bad thing; I might just go the full tank (price really isn't all that much of an issue).

Thanks for the 10% tip - it was the original reason I was so determined to eventually find the XMTS link.

[Downunder Kilt]

Macca, having spent many winters in Canberra over 18 years, I'd definitely go for the 16oz mate. Remember that when you get the kilt, post photos on here or it didn't happen. All the best with your upcomming addiction

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

Hi, I'm new, but may I piggyback on this question? I can only assume it's quite ubiquitous and I don't want to be a pest.

I know the tartan I want (Robertson Modern), the length 8 yards, the weight 15/16 oz, pleated to sett (I'm not so adventurous), apron fraying isn't essential, but I'd like it 'traditional'.

Geoffrey Taylor is out of my budget, and the nearest kilt-maker is not the most convenient for me, and I don't know of their skill.

I've looked around a lot and find Scotweb has many recommendations to allay my initial skepticism about the price/quality quotient.

So, as any Scot can understand, I want the best bang for the buck. I'm not cheap, I'm thrifty. I know full well you get what you pay for and don't mind paying a little extra, but can't afford more than US $550.

So I see they have a Balmoral and Dalgliesh options at Scotweb. Would it be worth it, in your opinion, to spring for the Dalgliesh? This is not only my first, but will be my good kilt for as long as it lasts. You can also steer me somewhere else if you think I'm making a grave mistake here. As to the calculus, with the Balmoral I'll have money, for say, a sporran (and a whole other advice question). But I'm leaning for better and adding my own sporran later in the great outfit building process.

Questions on measuring. I'm relatively skinny, 170 lbs, 5'11''. It's conceivable I could gain weight as I age. ;-) While I'd have to get refitted or a new kilt altogether at a certain point, do they notch your kilt straps at the median? Silly question, I suppose, but just want to make sure. I might want it so that I only have one notch up and the rest on the loose end. Is this possible, or advisable, or should I just get new kilt straps fitted at that point in the future?

The great kneecap debate. In "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt" the author gives his advice to not go below the top of the kneecap, even above that. I'm not sure about a full knee though. I think I want it either at or a smidge below the half of the kneecap, but high enough so the sgian isn't obscured (as ancillary or superfluous as it may be to dress). I think there's a real sweet spot here, whatever your preference. Or am I overthinking it?

I read to measure at the belly button or two inches above it. Which is it? And bottom of ribs and top of hip bone? Like right between those? I want this to be right. I also distrust the idea of kneeling as it seems inexact when I can just have myself measured by someone else.

A note: I play in a pipe band and am not a complete newbie to the kilt and in the process already have acquired my own brogues, hose, flashes, sgian(s), (cheap) waistcoat, glen, and am issued their sporran and kilt. I just finally want one in my own tartan which fits! It's been almost a lifelong dream (even when I was a kid I dressed up in a "kilt" for Halloween), and I finally have it within my budget. But taking that final plunge, I want to get it right. Not necessarily perfect, but I'm more anxious about making a big or careless mistake. It's an investment. I can be a little more relaxed the day I decide to add a 5yd casual hunting into my attire collection later.

I've been a reader of X Marks the Scot off and on here and there for a while, and hope that I haven't missed too much that's already been discussed, as I imagine it has somewhere.

I guess through all my verbosity that I just want to know if I'm on the right track here, but I'd really like to get as good a kilt as I can afford. Also, should I at all be concerned over varying dying coloration (in the instance of Robertson I mean bright, vibrant red, bottle green and deep navy) or proper (not saxon) worsted wool so far, or am I covered with the mills I'm considering dealing with here? I'm pretty confident I am, but just want to be sure.

Many thanks for help, advice and assurances in advance.

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

Hmmph. Nevermind, I guess.

I'm just gonna pull the trigger and hope for the best then... I feel a little better and assured after poking around the forums more, though, for what it's worth.

Thanks?

[AKScott]

In a very general way, I would suggest both questioners spend some time in the "show us your pictures" section of this forum.

After a bit, I suspect you will find that kilts just look better with at least half the kneecap showing.

For ordering, "any" kilt maker can make a kilt to the measurements you provide, the trick is getting the ordered length correct. Any moron can measure your natural waist and hip circumferences. The length is the bugger.

I personally ended up buying an inexpensive PV kilt in a universal sett, took pictures of that, posted those and asked the rabble about the length of that one. My tank came in and fit perfectly.

NB: I do still have that fitting kilt in my closet for sale inexpensively and keep an eye on the "wanted to buy" section here.