Budget Kilt Recommendation

**Frigid Scot** · 7th June 18, 01:53 PM

I am considering the purchase of a kilt in a MacMillan tartan. Unfortunately, my budget is going to dictate a cheap one. I am considering the MacMillan Black from UT Kilts. It's wool, 4 yards, it's wool, 13 oz, and it's wool. The MacMillan Black, though it's a nice tartan, is an unofficial one and the Clan Chief does not recognize it.

The other option I am considering is the MacMillan Hunting from Atlanta Kilts. It's slightly cheaper, it's 16 oz, 6 to 8 yds, it appears to offer a little bit better fit, BUT it is acrylic,

I love the Hunting tartan, I like the MacMillan Black. I'm quite partial to the genuine and traditional-ness of wool, but I don't know if this is pure prejudice on my part for such a budget purchase.

Currently I wear a kilt only a few times a year, but might do so a little more often in the future if my wife and children won't be embarrassed by me in public (I have heard the word "costume" a couple of times when I've floated the idea... ugh)

Very recently, I acquired a dream find: a brand new, 8 yd Scottish made kilt in the MacMillan Hunting for an absolute bargain. But... it fit my oldest son much better than it fit me, and so it is now his. I hope having more kilts in the family might encourage a little more wearing of them and not just have kilts as "my thing".

As for the bargain dream find in my size, I fear I shall search forever more. So in the mean time... Has anyone had experience with either/both Atlanta Kilts and UT Kilts?

Thanks ahead of time for any advice you can offer.

**Blupiper** · 7th June 18, 03:19 PM

Experience here with Atlanta Kilts. It was a Hunting Stewart, pleated to the stripe in the "ketchup and mustard" pattern of alternate red and yellow stripes. The length, rise and waist were per my order and it came in a timely manner. It's an acrylic fabric and the weight reminds me of a medium weight wool. Initially, the fabric is a little stiffer than wool, but with wearing, sitting, standing, etc., it relaxed. I found it to be worth what I paid for it (got it at a discount on one of their sales) and would still have it, save for selling it when I lost enough weight that taking it in wouldn't have been worthwhile. I think I sold it here on the Trading Post. All in all, for a starter or an inexpensive kilt, it was a good purchase for me.

JMB

**MacPherson85** · 7th June 18, 07:41 PM

I have had Experience with Atlanta and UT Kilts. Both are very good product for affordable kilts. I like that both give specific measurement options, better to fit you, than just finding a "off the rack" kilt at a festival and hoping it does the job. I would say you are safe using either company for what you are looking for.

**Wareyin** · 8th June 18, 04:01 AM

I have experience with Atlanta Kilts. I bought a budget acrylic from them. I would not recommend acrylic, as it wrinkles at the drop of a hat and just doesn't look right.

**Tobus** · 8th June 18, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Wareyin

I would not recommend acrylic, as it wrinkles at the drop of a hat and just doesn't look right.

Plus, don't forget the fire hazard of acrylic. Apparently it catches fire pretty easily and then melts right onto one's skin. There are some videos on the web showing what they do when exposed to flame, not to mention at least one member here who has personally had his acrylic kilt catch fire (see linked thread).

I only mention this because yesterday evening I was wearing my cheapie acrylic kilt (which is strictly for around-the-house casual use; I don't even walk my dog in public in this kilt). My wife made up some hamburger patties and wanted me to grill them. No big deal, usually. What she didn't tell me was that she had added some shredded cheese and mayonnaise to the patties for extra flavour. This led to some issues on the grill when the patties started falling apart, which led to an impressive conflagration as the drippy bits fell down inside the grill and flared up violently in the bottom. It was a very intense inferno for a few minutes, and I was trying to save what I could of the meat whilst keeping the flames under control. Thank goodness for long grilling spatulas and my "pit mitt" glove. The fire only lightly singed some of my arm hair. The meat I did manage to recover had an excellent flavour, though!

It didn't occur to me until afterwards that I could have caught my acrylic kilt on fire, or at least melted part of it as I was battling the flames. So now I'm going to have to pay special attention and remind myself not to wear this house-lounging kilt if I'm going to be grilling. Either that, or just get rid of it entirely and start wearing one of my low-yardage wool kilts for that purpose.

**Taskr** · 8th June 18, 02:02 PM

Frigid.. for what its worth skip getting anything "cheap". Hold on to your pennies until you get a kilt that can at least stand up beside that great deal your son has; or even another great deal that might come your way. I went the other way, purchased two 8yd wool and a high quality PV. Then bought a couple of knock-abouts. I don't wear those much because I know the comfort, look and feel of the two wool and PV. So let's say "less expensive" and if you are really keen on getting a kilt sooner than later get in touch with USAK, Freedom or another reputable maker for at least a quality PV. You'd be more likely to wear it more often, as you are want to do.
Happy shopping

**FossilHunter** · 8th June 18, 03:09 PM

I like the USA Kilts semi traditional in 12oz PV for a budget kilt. The only problem is that there are not as many tartan options as wool but MacMillan black is listed as available. I have a semi trad and it is a very nice garment. It doesn't feel "cheap" to me in any way. The pleats aren't as nice as in a full 8 yard kilt but that's the same whether it's a 5 yard PV or a 5 yard wool kilt.

**SunriseEarth** · 9th June 18, 01:23 AM

I have a MacMillan Black from UT Kilts (I'm wearing it in my avatar) and I have a MacNaughton from Atlanta Kilts. They are both presentable and suitable casual kilts. The Atlanta kilt definitely has more heft to it and I think it's built better (however, I think my casual Kilts from Scotweb and USAK are superior). IME, my UT Kilt has had more of an issue with wrinkles than the Atlanta one.

You might want to order a swatch of the acrylic tartan from Atlanta if you want to get a good feel for the material.

**Frigid Scot** · 9th June 18, 08:43 PM

Thank you everyone for your help. I think I'm going to put off the purchase a little and think this over. I am not kilt-less in the meantime and who knows, I may come across another great deal or may find myself able to spend a little more money and get what I REALLY want.

I might talk my son into letting me post his picture in his new kilt. He looks absolutely dashing in it!

**Fedgunner** · 14th June 18, 05:21 PM

If you are speaking of McMillan modern black, be advised that the clan chief does not recognize it as a clan tartan. One of the septs of McMillan complained to the chief after pictures of clan McMillan, the flag bearer and the banner were sporting thst tartan, and the chief stated, "They can wear what they like, simply don't represent it as our tartan".

I still wear that kilt LOL