My kilt (poor quality)

[rebelrouser]

Finally.........a Teenager I like !

[Taskr]

It's looking good. I agree, no need to rush out and buy everything at once. I admit that I recently added to my kilted wardrobe, but my 'daily wear' ensemble looks very much like yours with a regular pair of wool socks of a complimentary colour.

[Father Bill]

How's this?

[Guy III]

Laird- I am just down the road in Monroe. Being a little (OK, a whole lot) older, I have been able to afford a number of types of kilt hose. But some hose that I wear with my "historical" kilts are just the same knee-length cotton socks I buy for Colonial attire wear (think Rev War or French and Indian War times). You can see the tops of a mustard-colored pair in my picture attached to my Newbie forum post. Most of these hose cost $6 / pair when I buy them at rendezvous. Maybe we both make it to the Scottish event over in Minden (I have not been yet- conflicts in the past few years), I can give you a pair. Regards.

[Manxstralian]

Firstly, welcome aboard from Melbourne, Australia!

I'd just like to say, there's nothing wrong with a HoS kilt as your first (I still have, and wear, my HoS Black Watch kilt which I picked up in Edinburgh, you can see it in my avatar), though I now have an 8 yarder from Paul Henry, and a 5 yarder from USA Kilts. While I'm sure you'll no doubt want and eventually get other kilts, they last a while and look fine for general wear. When I started kilting I wanted to jump in and drop thousands of dollars on a full "Outfit", which I'm glad I didn't do, because a lot of what is sold in package form you may not want or need.

You mentioned hose, and while others have made great suggestions regarding places in the US to buy them, I got my dear old mother on board to knit me up a few pairs. The thread about colour choices is here. Also, the pattern is linked to in post #7. If you have any relatives who knit, this would probably be an interesting project for them (my mother was intrigued with the pattern, and has turned out a couple of variations to the tops (cabled (which I have), and diced (which are on the way)). Each pair used approximated one 200 gram ball of wool, so they ended up costing about $15 a pair. I have, in the past spent a fortune on kilt hose, and I prefer the look and feel of these ones, hands down. Having three or four pairs of hose will significantly expand your kilting options, I generally wear the same shirt/tie/waistcoat, only changing hose colour according to my mood.

Getting vests (waistcoats) instead of a jacket is probably a good idea, especially if you're going to be kilting in hot weather, and other than that the only thing I'd add is swap out your sporran chain for a leather belt, because those chains will wear quite quickly into the acrylic material (speaking from experience). I got mine from my local shoe repairer, as they also repair handbags etc, and it cost about $15.


Other than that, it's a good first effort!

Kilt on!

Cameron

EDIT: Also, if you have a few pairs of long white socks, consider dyeing a couple of pairs. I got a pair of pure cotton socks and made them into a reasonable pair of mustard kilt hose with a $1 packet of tumeric powder, and some table salt. I'm sure a little research will reveal ways to dye cotton with coffee, tea, and probably a bunch of other things that are already in your kitchen.

[Laird of the Manor Kimes]

Max, I appreciate the helpful advice, would you mind assisting me on the replacing of the chain to a belt? I'm confused as to how to figure that.

Thanks,
Jason

[NYClark]

I'll second the knitted hose suggestion. That was the pattern my wife used for my Christmas present. I also agree that what you have there is a fine looking outfit. Cheers

[Manxstralian]

Nice hose colour! I have brick red and forest green at the moment (with cable pattern on the green).

[YOJiMBO20]

Just PM'd you about some hose I have that I don't wear anymore.

[Tarheel]

A hint on the swap of a belt instead of a chain for your sporran. Look to old and unused pocket books. The straps can be modified with clips or rings and even braided to look like chain. That is what I did to my day wear sporran. Use your imagination. Google sites for how to braid leather.