Irelands National Tartan?

[TJ Kelley]

Getting ready for to order my first USA Kilt.
After hearing everyone rave about your product, I'll give it a go.

Looking through the website, the photos are not identified.
Is this photo of your Irelands National?

I was originally going to order a Casual this week, my budget could support the cost of a Semi Traditional in a couple weeks.

Does the Rabble think the wait would be wise?
As always... thanks for all your help.

[unixken]

I don't own any kilts from USA Kilts, so I can't speak to them, specifically. But when I think "traditional vs casual", the first thing that comes to my mind is where on the torso, the kilt is designed to be worn. In general, traditionals are worn high, coming to just under the short-ribs, just about where a cummerbund is worn, with a tux. On the other hand, a casual cut is meant to be worn lower, down at the "pants waist."

Using that as a starting point, remember you can always wear a t-shirt or polo shirt with a traditional kilt. But wearing a low-cut casual kilt with a decent jacket and tie, just wouldn't look right at all. You would likely find the traditional to be the more versatile of the two cuts, as far as level of dress options. Trying to hike a low-cut casual up higher than it was designed for, reveals too much leg and changes the fit of the fell. Dropping the traditional down to your pants waist will cover too much leg, and again will change the fit of the fell.

If you already have other kilts in your wardrobe that work well on dressier occasions, then the decision is less critical. But if you this is your first kilt, save for a couple more weeks and opt for the semi-trad. You'll appreciate the flexibility.

[seanachie]

I don't own any kilts from USA Kilts, so I can't speak to them, specifically. But when I think "traditional vs casual", the first thing that comes to my mind is where on the torso, the kilt is designed to be worn. In general, traditionals are worn high, coming to just under the short-ribs, just about where a cummerbund is worn, with a tux. On the other hand, a casual cut is meant to be worn lower, down at the "pants waist."

Using that as a starting point, remember you can always wear a t-shirt or polo shirt with a traditional kilt. But wearing a low-cut casual kilt with a decent jacket and tie, just wouldn't look right at all. You would likely find the traditional to be the more versatile of the two cuts, as far as level of dress options. Trying to hike a low-cut casual up higher than it was designed for, reveals too much leg and changes the fit of the fell. Dropping the traditional down to your pants waist will cover too much leg, and again will change the fit of the fell.

If you already have other kilts in your wardrobe that work well on dressier occasions, then the decision is less critical. But if you this is your first kilt, save for a couple more weeks and opt for the semi-trad. You'll appreciate the flexibility.

I would disagree with the pants waist comment. I own a few of Rocky's casual kilts and I wear them at the true waist not the hips. Certainly if one chooses to wear them at the pants waist that is their prerogative. I just don't believe it is "meant" to be worn lower.

[unixken]

I would disagree with the pants waist comment. I own a few of Rocky's casual kilts and I wear them at the true waist not the hips. Certainly if one chooses to wear them at the pants waist that is their prerogative. I just don't believe it is "meant" to be worn lower.

Well, I did qualify my statement by first saying that I dont personally own one of Rocky's kilts. But I will also call attention to this statement on the USA Kilts web site (in the measuring instructions for the casual kilt):

"USA Kilts Casuals can either be worn at the "Jeans Waist" or at the "True Waist" (just above your naval) like a traditional kilt. PICK ONE OF THOSE 2 SPOTS and measure yourself at that height. This is where the top of the kilt will sit. See above pictures for reference."

Now if we apply this to my point... Should you choose to measure at the pants waist, and should your kilt then be built for wear at the pants waist... then it will not work well if deliberately hiked up to wear with dressier dress. If you have it made "for the pants waist", that's where it'll be designed to be worn, and that's where it will fit best. But don't be stunned or disappointed when your kilt-cut jackets leave a huge gap of exposed shirt between your jacket and the top of your kilt, if you then try to dress it up. In all cases, wear the kilt where it was designed to be worn. But know that a kilt designed to be worn low will not work well with conventional levels of elevated dress. That was my point.

[Riverkilt]

Well, for sure you can't go wrong with USA Kilts. I heard so much hype about how good they were I waited over a year to order my first one - fearing some scam. Today, I've owned 14 Casuals, 13 Semi-Trads, and 2 5yard wool USA Kilts. Sold me eh?

I chose to get my Ireland's National in semi-trad.





Worth the wait.

[McElmurry]

"USA Kilts Casuals can either be worn at the "Jeans Waist" or at the "True Waist" (just above your naval) like a traditional kilt. PICK ONE OF THOSE 2 SPOTS and measure yourself at that height. This is where the top of the kilt will sit. See above pictures for reference."

This statement reinforces my point that the casual kilt has no waistband or what a kiltmaker calls rise.

There is confusion about what folks mean when they say they wear their kilt at the true waist. What I mean is the buckle and strap are at the narrowest part of my torso and the top of the kilt is two inches above my true waist.

[TheOfficialBren]

Some great points raised.

Since these are entry-level kilts there is a certain uniformity to the taper (as very well-stated by McElmurry).

I have found that the term 'casual' when applied to kilts can be very, very deceptive. It conjures up images of cheap horseblankets worn at the jeans waist.

USAK casuals are not horseblankets. They are lightweight, for sure, but they are pretty sharp kilts considering their price-point.

[McElmurry]

I would disagree with the pants waist comment. I own a few of Rocky's casual kilts and I wear them at the true waist not the hips. Certainly if one chooses to wear them at the pants waist that is their prerogative. I just don't believe it is "meant" to be worn lower.

If a kilties waist and rump measurements are similar I agree. However, in my case with a waist of 36 and rump of 44 the construction of the casual kilt limits the wearing to below the true waist. This is because the casual kilt tapers continuously to the very top of the kilt. It does not have a cylindrical waist band. On my tank the taper ends two inches below the top of the kilt and the waistband actually flairs out a bit to buckle at the true waist.

If I use a belt I can cinch the casual kilt at the true waist but the pleats pucker at the bottom of the belt because the circumference of the kilt is two inches greater at the bottom of the belt than the top.

So if a kiltie has a significant hourglass shape and wants to wear a kilt buckled at the true waist the semi-trad would be a better choice.

[mookien]

You can view the Ireland's National tartan on the USA Kilts web site at ....

http://www.usakilts.com/semi-traditi....html/?___SID=

If you click on the postage stamp view, you will see a larger (electronically produced) swatch.

That photo does look like a kilt made from Ireland's National tartan, but check with USA Kilts to make certain.

If you have definitely decided to acquire a PV kilt, by all means wait and purchase a Semi Traditional kilt. With buckles it has a much more traditional look. I think it would be a wise choice to make.

[TheOfficialBren]

I own one of these casuals in the Holyrood tartan.

The very first question that I asked before placing my order was where the selvedge fell. It does, indeed, fall at the proper place (top-to-middle-of-the-knee).

These kilts can be made for jeans-cut (just specify in advance), too, but standard is a traditional-styled proportion (at least, mine is).