Buying First Kilt, Help Me Decide!

**Cat** · 13th February 08, 08:50 PM

So after a year (!) of procrastinating, it's finally time for me to get my first kilt. I've decided to go with USAK, because of all the great reviews, great photos I've seen and because I've emailed Rocky a couple times in the past week and he's been awesome (he responded to my first email within about ten minutes, and it must've been 10 or 11pm in his time zone! That's service!) I was going to have him send me a swatch, but I've pretty much decided on Grey Granite. I also decided that my first kilt will be PV, since spring and summer really aren't too far away (besides, this will give me a couple semesters to set aside a little bit of my tuition disbursement money to save up for a wool tank for next winter!)

But I can't decide whether to get a Casual or Semi-Trad (I'd order the Casual at Traditional Waist, not Jeans Waist.) I have right around $250, which would be enough for the "Casual Package" deal, plus the $25 rush fee. OR for a Semi-Trad with the $35 rush fee (The Casual package comes with a bunch of other great stuff which would save me some money initially.) I do like the more traditional buckles, but if all else is equal, I can hang with velcro (besides, I know that kilts didn't always have buckles anyway.)

Aside from the obvious differences (buckle vs. velcro, different belt loops), what is the real difference between the Casual and Semi-Traditional? I think I've seen it mentioned on here before, but couldn't find the thread.

Anyway, thanks for your input! And hurry it up, I'm itchin' to spend some money

Seriously, thanks guys!

**Bugbear** · 13th February 08, 08:56 PM

Welcome.

**Arizona Scot** · 13th February 08, 09:12 PM

Welcome aboard from sunny and warm Arizona. I don't have a usak yet, but like you have read the reviews and listened to others. It is deffinatly on my to get list, I personally think that the semi-trad is more to my liking then the casual. From what I have heard that the semi-trad would be acceptable in more circumstances than the casual.

**Maclachlan** · 13th February 08, 09:27 PM

First,

! I was just looking at what USAK has to offer, and aside from a couple of differences in the kilts, they are the same material. If the pleat count is noticably greater on the traditional over the casual then that might be worth the extra. If not, then by all means go for the package deal and you'll have pretty much everything you need! Either way, you're going to get a great kilt from Rocky!

**Cat** · 13th February 08, 09:33 PM

Arizona Scot: I was thinking the same thing (as far as the semi-trad.) But Maclachlan makes a good point too! Ack!

Maybe Rocky can help me out with this one!

**Cat** · 13th February 08, 10:08 PM

Actually, after further deep thought (okay, so one more beer and actually using the search feature for more than ten seconds to find some past threads regarding this very subject)...I think I'm going to go with a Semi-Traditional. I've been needing a new leatherworking project for a while now, so I think I'm going to make my own day sporran (It'll give me something to do while I'm waiting for my kilt to be made!) I'll probably make a new kilt belt too, since that's a one-evening project for me and I don't tuck my shirt in very much anyways, so it can wait a little while...besides, I've already got all the tools and supplies for both, aside from the leather.

I don't know, I just figure that since I kept going back to the semi-trad way back in my brain, I just know that if I were to order the casual, I'd probably still think "well, I should've just gone with the slightly nicer one" (Not to knock the Casuals...I think all the USAK's look great!) I can afford it, and it's the one I've been drooling over for the past year anyway (well, besides some really expensive tanks!)

Oh, and Hamish's video on USAK's website was pretty convincing too!

**Rex_Tremende** · 13th February 08, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Cat

So after a year (!) of procrastinating, it's finally time for me to get my first kilt. I've decided to go with USAK, ... But I can't decide whether to get a Casual or Semi-Trad (I'd order the Casual at Traditional Waist, not Jeans Waist.) I have right around $250, which would be enough for the "Casual Package" deal, plus the $25 rush fee. OR for a Semi-Trad with the $35 rush fee (The Casual package comes with a bunch of other great stuff which would save me some money initially.)

First, welcome to the addiction.

Second, you've waited a year, so what's the rush?

Oh. Never mind. Welcome to the addiction.

Regards,
Rex.

**Cat** · 13th February 08, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

You've waited a year, so what's the rush?

The fact that I've waited a year is the rush

Also, thanks to everyone for the warm welcome! I've been lurking around here for a year, and figured now was a good time to register. I suppose I'll head over to the "newbie" forum and introduce myself (since I haven't anything else to do, and Rocky's probably sound asleep and unable to take my order right now!*wink*)

Just out of curiosity, does anyone else have pics of themselves in a Grey Granite Semi-Traditional (or even a Casual?) USAK has a picture on their website of one person wearing a Casual in that color, but I'd like to see some other views of it.

**Riverkilt** · 13th February 08, 11:41 PM

Just my opinion.

I own 18 USA Kilts. 11 Casuals and 7 Semi-traditionals.

If I had it to do all over again I'd have stayed with the Semi-trads all the way.

Why? More pleats, better looking (hence the name), and I've come to like wearing my kilts without a belt (more comfy for the obese) and I've also come to love swingin' the pleats when I walk. There's more swish in a semi-trad and if you're not already hooked up with a fine lady you'll probably find that the semi-trad is a better quality "babe bait."

And...know you said its been a long time, but why not invest the speedy fee in matching flashes instead. Its still not that long of a wait and once you got it the jones doesn't matter.

And, lots of USA Kilts pics in my galleries if you wanna compare the two.

Ron

**Cat** · 14th February 08, 02:20 AM

Riverkilt: I've decided that I'm definitely going with the Semi-Traditional...I just think I'll be happier in the long run (for pretty much all the reasons you listed!) That's a good idea about the flashes though...I'm not ordering until tomorrow or Saturday, so I'll definitely sleep on that idea!

And as a general question to everyone else: I'm currently measuring myself (again, just to be sure), and even though the USAK site says that the hip measurement is usually about 4-6" larger than the waist measurement...except no matter how many times I check, mine is still coming out to only about 2 or 3" larger than my waist measurement (yes, I'm measuring at the widest part of my backside.) Do smaller guys tend to be flatter in the "buttockal area" (I'm only 5'2")? I just want to make sure that it fits properly.