My First Traditional, From USA Kilts

[David in Maryland]

Is it pleated to sett or to stripe? I would love to see that tartan pleated to stripe to see how it would look since it is a military tartan. I also want a Confederate Memorial kilt. I am also born and raised in NC, but had to move to Maryland close to those darn yankees.

[Riverkilt]

I had thought the folks at Savannah Kilts, think they're now 13th Colony Kilts, offered the Confederate Memorial kilt standard...checked their website but its all different now and a third company name is being used...

Had my eye on one too, Arizona was Confederate territory. Good to know there's still a source.

Ron

[Mike n NC]

Ok, I wanted to wait a few days before I posted this, let the euphoria wear off so to speak. Last Friday the postman brought the newest addition to my growing kilt collection. Just in time for the “weekend sans culottes“.

My first traditional kilt in medium weight wool is the result of a lucky collaboration with Rocky at USA Kilts. While I was visiting the shop to meet Rocky and Kelly, he mentioned the Confederate Memorial Tartan and I, being a true son of the south, said if you can get it, I want it. Next day he called telling me that he had found it. On clearance yet! From that point, the rest is history.

A beautiful Confederate (light) grey background with the colors of Artillery (red), Infantry (blue) and Calvary (gold) woven throughout. Machine sewn not hand (for you purists) but wonderful none the less. It turned out to be not quite 8 yards since I got a cracker butt.

I wore it for the first time on Friday night to a function at the school where my wife teaches and later out in town. When I put it on the very first thing I noticed was the weight, much heavier than my other kilts. Next I noticed the bulk of the pleats, many more and heavier, sharper even than the others. Then I walked. My goodness but the difference is amazing, it feels like it is literally beating at the backs of my legs. I later had the chance to observe the ‘swing’ in shadow while walking through a well lit parking lot. All I can say is WOW! If I hadn’t been hooked already this would have done it.

Not one of ‘those looks’ or comments during the night, save one of the wife’s coworkers told her “you have a manly man”.

Rocky, should you read this, all I can tell you is that you have outdone yourself my friend. To any and all others, if you have any doubts regarding ordering from Rocky and Kelly at USA Kilts…Forget it, they are nothing but a CLASS ACT!!

By the way Rocky and Kelly, next time I come up your way I’ll shoot for a weekend and the night at Kildare’s (or any other din of inequity you choose ) will be on me.

Mike

[Mychael Sporrano]

All right, Mike. I just had a peek at your gallery- you and your kilt look very nice. There is nothing quite like the feel of 6-8 yards of pleats swinging behind you while you walk. Congrats on the new kilt!

Mychael

[Miah]

Very Nice, I am a huge fan of the Military tartans!
Looks smart

[GMan]

That is one cool looking tartan Mike Definetly a kilt that you can wear with pride

[Riverkilt]

Very nice Mike.

I like the look of the old civil war era leather with the kilt.

Have some myself and have been known to wear my brown belt with CS buckle with a kilt. Haven't tried the cartridge pouches as a "sporran" yet...

Ron
Born across the Alabama River from Selma at Craig Field as an accident of War 2...and I imagine a very dear part of me that was amputated without my permission soon after my birth still fertilizes the spring flowers there....

[Blu (Ontario)]

Wearing a traditional 8yard heavyweight kilt for the first time is pure joy! And kinda like sex... you keep getting the urge to go back for more. 8)

[macwilkin]

I would love to see that tartan pleated to stripe to see how it would look since it is a military tartan. I also want a Confederate Memorial kilt.

This is the Confederate Memorial Tartan we are discussing -- it is technically not a military tartan, since no military unit has wore it as part of their uniform kit, although it certainly has military symbolism in the colours (for the branches of service and the grey for the uniform colour, although very few Confederate soldiers wore a complete uniform of any kind!)

Celeste Ray, in her book "Highland Heritage: Scottish-Americans in the American South" gives a brief history of the tartan; the designer was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Clan Ewan Society.

The only Civil War unit that is documented with Highland attire is the 79th New York, who left their kilts at home before their first action at 1st Bull Run in July, 1861, although some of the 79th was wearing trews in the Cameron of Erracht tartan (the 79th took their number from the Camerons, as well as their tartan, but not much else.)

There are other "Scottish" Regiments mentioned in the Northern & Southern armies, but information about uniform kit is very, very sketchy -- supposedly a Scottish unit from South Carolina wore kilts before the war in the militia, but there is no documentation at all (a shame!)

Sorry, fellas, for putting on my Park Ranger hat there -- since I work at a CW battlefield, I've always been interested in "ethnic" units in the war.

Cheers,

T.

[Mike n NC]

Quote:
I would love to see that tartan pleated to stripe to see how it would look since it is a military tartan. I also want a Confederate Memorial kilt.


This is the Confederate Memorial Tartan we are discussing -- it is technically not a military tartan, since no military unit has wore it as part of their uniform kit, although it certainly has military symbolism in the colours (for the branches of service and the grey for the uniform colour, although very few Confederate soldiers wore a complete uniform of any kind!)

Celeste Ray, in her book "Highland Heritage: Scottish-Americans in the American South" gives a brief history of the tartan; the designer was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Clan Ewan Society.

The only Civil War unit that is documented with Highland attire is the 79th New York, who left their kilts at home before their first action at 1st Bull Run in July, 1861, although some of the 79th was wearing trews in the Cameron of Erracht tartan (the 79th took their number from the Camerons, as well as their tartan, but not much else.)

There are other "Scottish" Regiments mentioned in the Northern & Southern armies, but information about uniform kit is very, very sketchy -- supposedly a Scottish unit from South Carolina wore kilts before the war in the militia, but there is no documentation at all (a shame!)

Sorry, fellas, for putting on my Park Ranger hat there -- since I work at a CW battlefield, I've always been interested in "ethnic" units in the war.

Cheers,

T

Not even a problem No it's not a "military tartan" as such, just one I particularly liked, sentimental/historical reasons.

Correct on all the above. I am a skirmishing member of the NC 23rd State Troops, the uniform issued was black trousers and a blood shirt...and just how long did that last? About long enough to figure out how good a target that shirt made. By the end of the war very few, other than fresh union troops had the full kit they were issued.

There are some records of kilts being worn but they were mostly of the civilian variety, much like the shirts and vests worn by most troops.

I am going to post a couple of pictures of the kilt hanging. Later today I should have a few more of it 'swinging'.

Mike