Newbie Questions

[JockMcPlop]

Appreciate the links. I will have a look at Mr. Newsome's book!

[DesertWolf]

Welcome from Phoenix AZ.
Ebay is worth a good search, I have found a nice argyll vest and just got a kilt the other day, so good things can be had there, it just takes time sorting through it all.

[rmccool]

Appreciate the links. I will have a look at Mr. Newsome's book!

His website, www.albanach.org, is also an excellent resource.

[JockMcPlop]

Some great advice. I never thought of checking 'The Bay"! (I look for everything else there) I was at a wedding on the weekend and the groom was in a Prince Charlie. While he stole the show, I did think that it would limit the occasions I could 'dress up' to. I will pyrooze the bay. Thanks!!

[JohntheBiker]

Welcome.

Don't be in a rush to put your money down. If you get into wearing kilts, there will be no end of opportunities to invest in kilts and accessories. Some research on this site will help you to make informed decisions about the type of kilt you want and what else you might need.

A good kilt can be a lifetime investment. Guarantee you will make a better decision with a little help from this site.

[MNlad]

***. Do your research and go slowly, as hard as that may be. Sure, you may get a price break by getting a "package deal," but does the package really include what you ultimately want or need? If you visit some of the photo threads here you will see a wide variety of individual styles and you will be ultimately developing your own. Most kilties (stole that expression from another thread) who go the package route, if they're truly into wearing the kilt, soon discard much or that original purchase. So buy wisely. Enjoy the trip; it's a great ride.

Oh, yeah, and welcome to the Rabble.

[Nile]

Greetings JMcP and welcome to X Marks. So much good advice already so I don't have much to add except that it is advice that I have heeded without regrets. Like Faithwalker said, you'll be back and forth but, you will learn and will eventually zero in on the tartan (or not) and the style you want to pursue. Most important for all of us is... we like wearing A kilt (a kilt of our choice).
Nile

[TheOfficialBren]

Welcome to the rabble!

[Shedlock2000]

Sir,



Now, that said, let the fun begin! Thou doesth not need to be Scottish to wear of the kilt, thou just needth to be awesome!

Pick a tartan, any tartan (with few exceptions) and wear it with pride. There does exist some formality, and also a certain etiquette and propriety, but generally speaking, you ought to wear kilts exactly how you want to, and bugger the pseudo police!

You say you are keen on a complete outfit, and why not - the Highland attire is strikingly handsome. My advice is, keep glancing at eBay! For some time I have been collecting kilts and kilt stuffs, and a good bargain or three can be found online! Speak to some of the top-bananas on here, Steve, or Matt - well, anyone really, to advise you on how to get your measurements, and away you go!

All that said, nothing can beat having your own kilt tailored to you, and only you. There are many members on here who offer such services, and, as I found when I was 16 and bought my first made-to-measure kilt, there are few things more delightful than speaking closely to the kilt-maker of your own kilt and discussing, styles, preferences, tartans and making sure the thing fits like a glove..... If you can afford it, I heartily recommend a bit of leg work: finding a tartan that you really like, or one which speaks to you, or has some inner meaning; then sauntering to a kilt maker near you (preferably one of the stalwarts on here); and getting them to hand stitch you one up: such kilts have love and affection in them - dedication to the craft - and are almost as important as the tartan you choose; theres something very satisfying about wearing a kilt that you know someone has laboured with care and attention on, just for you.

[JockMcPlop]

My father (RIP) was Polish and fought with the British 8th army in Europe. He always respected the Scots and especially liked their kilts! It would be interesting to see the look on his face if he saw me in one!