Any kiltless rabble out there?

[lethearen]

Feb 14, 2010, was the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Tiger. A common greeting is "gōng xǐ fā cái", or "Live long and prosper." Wait... that's Vulcan... erm, it means "Congratulations, and may you be prosperous." Something like that. I'm still learning.

Anyway, in the spirit of prosperity, I thought I'd see if anyone out here could benefit from a kilt that does me no good. A couple months ago, I bought a second-hand USA Kilts Casual, owned by Rocky himself. I wanted to see what all the rave was about, and it was too good a price to pass up (over half off the new price). Let me assure you, it holds up to the hype.

Unfortunately, the kilt doesn't fit. It's for someone wearing a larger size than I. I thought about selling it off again, but decided to do a good deed for once in my life. So I intend to give this away to someone amongst us who is interested in wearing a kilt but hasn't been able to afford one himself.

The kilt is 24" long from tip top to the hem. Girth is defined as 36", but it'll give or take a couple. It uses a velcro closure. Tartan is "American Heritage" (click here), one of USA Kilts' own designs. It was previously owned by Rocky, and he took amazing care of it. I myself have only worn it a couple times, as it doesn't really fit. This is not a traditional 8-yd wool kilt... but it's a quality product and will definitely get you by.

Who I'm looking for...

I want this to go to someone who is very interested in wearing the kilt but just can't afford to drop the cash on one right now. He will need to have an account on xmarks, as I would like him to post a note on this thread expressing what wearing a kilt means to him. So make him sign up if he hasn't already! And he will need to be able to actually wear this kilt - i.e. if you know it won't fit, don't ask for it.

If there are multiple people interested, then I'd like them all to post here. I'll pick someone whose reason I like best on Wednesday evening and hopefully get it in the post before the weekend.

This kilt, new, would run around 120$ from USA Kilts. The person I bequeath it to will get it 100% free - I'll even pay shipping if the winner is in the US. International friends, I'm sorry but I'd have to ask you to pay half the shipping cost. Still a great deal.

Again, this is for a gentleman who does not already own a kilt, but would like very much to have one. I would hope this goes without saying... but if you already own a kilt, then please don't apply, and please don't create a dummy account to do so.

We have a great community here, and I would like to make a contribution

[BroosterB1]

Bravo! Attaboy! Way to go! I'm sure you will have several takers. Did this myself with a kilt I was not going to wear, sure makes you feel good to pay it forward.ith:

[DesertCeltic]

That is a great gesture. I am sure there are a number of non-members who view this forum who will take you up on your offer. You may even get others to follow in your footsteps!

[MrShoe]

So here it goes.......

I'll start with I am a true 33.5" measurement below the ribcage. I hope there is more take than give. However being 6'4 I would probably wear it a little lower to give me the desired length.

I have always been a little envious of the Scots and their kilts. Both my mother and I claim our favorite color is plaid. As an American of Irish root I have always been versed in my heritage, but believed that kilts were only for the Scottish. It took a good buddy of mine to set me straight. Last year He was home on a short leave during his 3rd tour in the Middle East. We talked about him spending last St. Patrick's day in the mountains of Afghanistan fighting the Tali and he was excited for 2010 because his obligation to the US army would be ending. I told him we would spend the celebration together. He would also be picking up his newest kilt by then and would be sporting proudly, it's the US Army tartan.and asked if I would wear a kilt also. Well...would could I say. I told him that when he returned from Afghanistan I would be a kilt owner. We said our goodbyes and he returned to his duty. I then started what I thought would be a simple search for a kilt. WRONG....I soon found out that it was not an easy search or cheap. I went to his kilt provider and quickly found that I would need to spend...strike that...I would need to INVEST more money that I had planned on or could afford. Last year I joined the ranks of the unemployed in the state leading that the USA in that category at 14%.

So time went by and as I messaged him during the following months, I made no mention of the kilt deal. Of course he never forgot and kept asking if I had ordered it yet. So it was onto more research. I searched and watched Ebay and was confused by the variety. Lucky for me I found Xmarks this winter. I lurked for a few weeks before joining as an unkilted member so I could ask question. Being of Ulster decent, my desire is an Ulster Tartan but that is expensive my my budget. Next is a saffron, but my wife thinks otherwise. She said it would look like I was just wearing a skirt. She is not very supportive of my new found interest in kilting. She said"you say your favorite color is plaid, just pick one of the pretty ones". She has no sense of heritage and can't understand why I said I would not be comfortable doing that. The American heritage is a very nice Tartar and would be a happy meeting ground. plus she would like the sound of free. So now my procrastinations by way of research has left me with either a cookie cutter or Ebay special to buy.

Good news is my friend left Afghanistan this week. However, due to snow his plane is in Atlanta, GA leaving his stuck in Kuwait for the past 4 days. He should be home next week and I will be happy to see him kilted or not.

lethearen that is my story. Whether I am lucky enough to be the recipient or not, what you are doing is a very nice and generous thing. Thanks for the opportunity!!!

[lethearen]

Post deleted after MrShoe edited his post.

[d_lairson]

I would love to have this kilt, it would fit me almost perfectly. I've been jonesing for a kilt since I joined this forum, but have not had been able to come up with the cash because I am disabled and on Social Security. I have had a very unsuccessful attempt to make a kilt, my mom made most of it, but gave it to a friend to finish off (she had a better sewing machine or something) and this lady promptly cut off the under apron and ran the Velcro vertically down the apron, so there went most of my expendable income

If I were to get this kilt, I would wear it as much as possible, probably too much, but I would wear it with pride!

Thanks for this opportunity, and I know who ever gets it will love it!

[piperdbh]

This is a fine idea, and a beautiful tartan. I wonder how the kilt is pleated? Could we see a picture of it?

I hope a very deserving person receives this kilt, and kudos to Lethearen for the offer.

[lethearen]

MrShoe, thanks for the story

Piperdbh... good point. It is pleated to the white stripe, and I'll take some pics when I get home tonight.

and this lady promptly cut off the under apron and ran the Velcro vertically down the apron

Wow that's... just wow. Maybe that makes sense to someone who thinks kilts are "just a skirt"...

[lethearen]

Alright, here are a couple pics of the kilt

Back, pleated to the white stripe


Front

[lethearen]

Guys, thanks very much for posting. At this time, I'd like to extend the offer to MrShoe. And I definitely have to agree with the bit about being envious of the Scots and their beautiful kilts. A friend of mine and I have mused that the Scots are the only culture where the men's clothing looks better than the women's

I really hate to see this go, but I honestly hope that I will never fit into it. So better for it to be had by someone who can make use of it.

MrShoe, I would ask you one thing. This kilt should never be sold. If you reach a point when you no longer have need or use of this kilt -- for example, because it doesn't fit you, you find you don't like wearing the kilt, or you get another kilt whose wearing supercedes this one -- don't sell it. Instead, find someone to pass it on to, free of charge, as I am doing with you... provided the kilt is still in decent enough condition to be worn. I of course have no control over whether or not you do so, but it is a request I would like to make of you. (oh and pictures... you must post pictures after you get it!)

So with the formalities aside, please send me your mailing address in a PM and I'll get it shipped out to you promptly I hope you enjoy!