Advice on buying traditional full dress

[Granty666]

I'm totally new to the wearing of the Kilt and am currently working in Qatar (not many kilt manufacturers here), I've saved the dough to buy a Tank & reasonable quality accessories. (have about a grand to spend in total).
I've also lost a few pounds, i'm now under 300lbs and feel the need to indulge myself. and can think of nothing more stylish than full dress in one of my clans tartans.
I'm 6 foot, built like the proverbial outhouse (54" chest), played prop forward in my youth, but have now spread a little around the beer gut area (44").
Can anyone advise me as to the best style for my build?
Having surfed this excellent forum and the web for a couple of weeks, I've decided on the 16oz Grant Hunting tartan manufactured by Glena and will probably go for a box pleat. I'd like to get the outfit made in Scotland, has anyone experience in buying full dress online (I can get a tailor here to do the measuring) if I new what was required.
Can anyone recommend a master kiltmaker, who's happy/experienced in working with oversea's clients?
I need to get the process underway, as I've a wedding coming off in the summer and would love to wear full dress to it, I think the material may be special order.
regards
Granty

[nixphotography]

First of all welcome to xmarks. I don't have a whole lot of experience with full dress. But I know that our very own Matt Newsome makes a heck of a box pleat kilt, and can get the rest of the full dress outfit. Good luck with the kilt.

[thescot]

Welcome aboard.

I hesitated to respond since I've never had anything shipped to Qatar, but I don't reckon there are any kilt makers there anyway, so what the heck.

I would personally recommend knife pleats and a nominal 8 yard kilt since nothing--and I mean nothing--has quite the same swing and look as a full, 8 yard wool kilt. Having said that, the others still look good, but just food for thought. My favorite kilt is a five-yard kilt because it's a weathered tartan and it's a little shorter than the others, but it doesn't have quite the same swing.

I would definintely go with a quality kilt maker. Any of them can give you advice on the measuring, but you should get some help with it, especially with the length. And don't get the durn thing too long! At the top of the knee cap is the absolute lowest you'll want.

Any good kilt maker can help you with a charlie or other jacket. I don't consider a prince charlie "full dress." it's more like black tie, like a tux. For real full dress--if that's what you meant--you might want to consider a sheriffmuir doublet since it allows for a bit of expansion and contraction (if you know what I mean). When I gained weight, I couldn't wear my Montrose doublet without a girdle, and that's a pretty big investment to hang in the closet!

Whatever you decide, good luck. You'll enjoy the kilt and being kilted.

One other caveat: you might want to order a cromach or some other sort of walking stick to fend off the ladies. They tend to like men in kilts.

[Tattoo Bradley]

First off. Welcome from New Mexico.
When you say "box pleat" what do you mean? Are you referring to the Matt Newsome 4-yd box pleat. Or, are you referring to the 8 yard military box pleats? Also, your tartan in 16 oz. will certainly not have to be special ordered. If it were me, I would go with the Strome range from Lochcarron. The Grant Hunting tartan is the same thing as "Black Watch" tartan. And, Lochcarron carries it in three shades (modern, ancient, and weathered) in their 16 oz. Strome weight. What other items do you need? Prince Charlie? Argyle? Ghillies? There are several people here that can help you with any of those things.

[The Wizard of BC]

Every kiltmaker I know is capable of shipping overseas. If you have an APO so much the better. But not neccessary.
Just follow the individual kiltmakers measuring instructions EXACTLY. It would also help if you called them and had a small chat.

Everything you would possibly need can be ordered on-line. The only thing you need to do is decide what look you are trying to go for. Get that firmly in mind and go looking for it.

Surf the net for pictures of formal outfits. Our thread on Formal dress would be a good start.

Then buy the best quality you can afford. Never, Never go with the low cost, possibly cut rate operations. Again, searching this forum can help you avoid some of these.

Good luck and please post some pics here when you get your outfit together. Perhaps it will help the next guy with the same question as yours.

[BEEDEE]

I got my tank (weathered hunting MacRae) gillie brogues, sox, flashes, sporran, argyle jacket from Houston Kiltmakers - Glasgow though their on-line catalog www.kiltmakers.com. Ken Macdonald was a pleasure to work with and he even called me twice in the USA with questions. I would recommend him as one to seriously look at.

Brian

[morrison]

I'm totally new to the wearing of the Kilt and ... ...
Granty

hi Granty666, welcome to XMTS. I've found that after wearing the kilt around town that the feeling doesn't really ever go away. The feeling of being refreshed, new, liberated and generally free. It's kinda like the first time everyday. For me that's easy 'cause I am rather mindless at times!! Anyway you've the heart and soul of a man that's clearing his own trail.
Ah-ten-hut.
KiiiiiLt....... ON

[Pour1Malt]

walcome tae the rabble...

dinnae order oiny thing until you seek advice frae Hamish... he will set ya richt!

slainte

[davedove]

All good advice here. The only thing I would add is, since you are looking for the whole outfit, look for places that will provide the whole outfit. If you buy it all at once, the companies will often give you a discount.

[Riverkilt]

Welcome,

I can't not suggest you include Kathy Lare in your list of prospective kiltmakers. She's not in Scotland, but that's where she learned her craft. www.kathyskilts.com

I'm just a hair smaller than you size wise and she's working on her sixth hand sewn traditional kilt for me. Pics in my gallery if it helps you.

There are land mines out there for on line ordering. But if you stick with the companies in business for a long time and the kiltmakers with a good reputation on this board you should be fine.

And, a hearty congratulations on treating yourself!

Ron