bargain kilts?

**Riverkilt** · 16th November 04, 04:38 PM

Thanks,

He'd been discharged honorably from the US Navy for some drinking escapade in 1939...he'd taken that civilian flying training in University in Montana. He enlisted with the RAF in Spokane, Washington, trained down in the Imperial Valley of California, then took a train to Canada and ship to Scotland. He flew both Spitfires and Hurricanes, was on the Dieppe raid.

When the U.S. got over there in Sept 1942 they took him into the Army Air Corps. He flew a P-39 from England to North Africa (they'd been in crates on the way to Russia, Mechanics assembled them in England). He flew the P-39 in North Africa, got shot down at Kassarine Pass. Walked out with the 1st Armored.

They sent him stateside to train pilots. Seldom talked about it, but left a treasure of notes and records when he died.

Ron

**longforgan** · 16th November 04, 09:13 AM

Question for many of you guys who have more kilt experience than I. Have you discovered any bargain-kilts? The advice I am hearing is to stay away from kilts made in the far-east, so I avoid them but obvious possibilities might be, ex-military kilts (surplus), ex-hire kilts, mass-produced kilts (where presumably they have automated the production line using some kind of gee-whiz technology, (if that's possible with making kilts), there's also where the customer pays a deposit for a custom-made and then pulls out after the kilt is complete, but it would be hard to find a bargain like that. I came across a couple of good prices where the length is one set size, but that ain't good. For me it means wearing the kilt high above the waist. Best that I have come up with is 8-yard custom-kilts machine-made in Glasgow for $311- US. Thanks, - Longforgan

**Magnus Sporrano** · 16th November 04, 09:37 AM

There are many custom made alternatives that come in far cheaper than the example you cited.

I am a customer of one of the forum sponsors, USA Kilts. For $120 I get a kilt that is custom made to my size and shape, in any tartan I want, and with any custom alterations to their standard design that I need. $120 for someone like me with a prodigious gut. For normal sized people I think it is $110. That's for the Philabeg model. They have a lower end kilt that rings in under $100. The $120 Philabeg is nice enough for daily wear (and I wear it often, including to the office).

**longforgan** · 16th November 04, 10:09 AM

Magnus,- thanks for that, I'll follow up. Here's one thing that I have discovered straight away,- one kilt isn't enough! Also your comment about wearing the kilt to the office. Man, - I love it!- Longforgan

**Miah** · 16th November 04, 10:16 AM

I keep an eye on Bears "kilts instock" page
http://bearkilts.com/kiltsinstock/kiltsinstock.html
I got a kilt from Bear that way
and it is a great kilt and if you just so happen to be the right size it's a awsome deal.

**Colin** · 16th November 04, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Miah

I keep an eye on Bears "kilts instock" page
http://bearkilts.com/kiltsinstock/kiltsinstock.html
I got a kilt from Bear that way
and it is a great kilt and if you just so happen to be the right size it's a awsome deal.

Bear has amazing kilts. Nothing like machine washable to make day-to-day a reality. Bear also sells wool kilts. The wait is a bit longer than some similar companies, but the quality is outstanding.

**longforgan** · 16th November 04, 11:10 AM

Hi Colin, I was hot on the trail of a Bear kilt but have just been told that poly/viscose tartan is a print and does not go through the thickness of the fabric properly. Also most of us are familiar with print fabrics in our regular clothes. (shirts etc) The do look kind of phoney to me. We don't worry about that in a shirt, but in a tartan kilt, well I don't know about that. Would appreciate your comments on this. Thanks- Longforgan

**Colin** · 16th November 04, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by longforgan

Hi Colin, I was hot on the trail of a Bear kilt but have just been told that poly/viscose tartan is a print and does not go through the thickness of the fabric properly. Also most of us are familiar with print fabrics in our regular clothes. (shirts etc) The do look kind of phoney to me. We don't worry about that in a shirt, but in a tartan kilt, well I don't know about that. Would appreciate your comments on this. Thanks- Longforgan

I think most people with poly/viscose kilts will attest that is it a great material for kilts. The matrial is very different from what you will find in shirts.

My only suggestion would be (since you are in Washington State) to come up to one of our monthly Vancouver Kilts nights (we have had several Washington and Oregon visitors over the past year or so) and check out Bear's handiwork and see the poly/viscose in person. Plus the pints run freely, the band is great, the company of other kilted brothers is a blast, and the women are beautiful.

**Magnus Sporrano** · 16th November 04, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by longforgan

Hi Colin, I was hot on the trail of a Bear kilt but have just been told that poly/viscose tartan is a print and does not go through the thickness of the fabric properly.

There are a few detractors of PV kilts around here. The only gripe I have with them is the weight (or lack thereof) so they are more sensitive to gusts of wind than a heavier wool fabric. Knowing that I am still buying PV kilts. It looks great when new, and looks even better when washed a couple dozen times.

**longforgan** · 16th November 04, 11:47 AM

Thanks for that Colin, I'd like to join you guys sometime. Question though,- what kind of beer? Where I'm at right now we are spoiled having two local microbreweries and some super beers. Cheers- Longforgan