A new kilt--with your help

[Detroitpete]

Ok guys, you're never going to believe this, but my wife actually WANTS me to buy another kilt! Trust me I KNOW just how lucky I am.

Here's the deal: She says I have enough of my clan tartan MacLaren) and military tartan (Navy Edzell) and I'm really off of wearing solid color utilikilts/kommando kilts etc, and she wants me to to wear "something red".

Not that I'm orthodox by the standards of some of the members here, but I still feel very uncomfortable about wearing a clan tartan that I have no connection to.

Another part of the deal, because I need this kilt to be sharp enough to wear with casual dress (sweater, nice shirt etc) AND be able to take a bashing in case I need to use it for Heavy Athletics it HAS to be under $200.00 out the door---no give on this point.

So here's where I'm looking for your help with choosing a kilt and tartan. If it helps, I like Stewart Royal and don't think I'd have an "issue" wearing it. I really doubt that I'll get anything but a stock item for the price I can pay.

Sad news--if I were to choose SWK's Standard Stewart Royal--Jerry doesn't have it in my size 38 waist, and I'd prefer something more like a 22-23 inch long kilt---short guy here

Ok guys--thanks for your help--I know it sounds like I want the world and I can't pay for it--see what you can come up with.

Recap:
-"red" tartan, perhaps universal, or at least as close of a connection as I can get to the tartan.

-inexpensive: Under $200.00 total cost (shipping etc included)

-nice enough to wear to the pub or to friends

-strong enough to stay with me from stones, WFD, WOB, Sheaf all the way through cabers--oh, and to the beer tent afterward ;-)

[turpin]

Royal Stuart is red, universal, and can be had off-the-rack from SWK for $75 in a standard.

If it must be wool I'd start looking for an ex-hire kilt.

[Detroitpete]

Royal Stuart is red, universal, and can be had off-the-rack from SWK for $75 in a standard.

If it must be wool I'd start looking for an ex-hire kilt.

Doesn't have to be wool--and like I said--Jerry doesn't and hasn't had the Stewart in my size for awhile now.

[McMurdo]

How about USAKilts for the Royal Stewart? You should be able to get something right around your price range give or take $20.

[Nighthawk]

How about USAKilts for the Royal Stewart? You should be able to get something right around your price range give or take $20.

That was going to be my suggestion, so I'll just second it.

As the others have said, USA Kilts.

Another consideration is Sport Kilts for a PV kilt. Sport Kilt will have very fast delivery. I like both my Sport Kilt and my USA Casual. There are pro and cons to each one.

Cons to USAK? Sport Kilts are more like sport skirts. I can see no cons at all to USA Kilts, though. I love most of SK's products- I would buy more of their skirts for my wife in a heartbeat- but I will never again buy one of their kilts. USAK, on the other hand, have made me a customer for life.

[Spartan]

Cons to USAK? Sport Kilts are more like sport skirts. I can see no cons at all to USA Kilts, though. I love most of SK's products- I would buy more of their skirts for my wife in a heartbeat- but I will never again buy one of their kilts. USAK, on the other hand, have made me a customer for life.

I was comparing the Sport Kilt Works with the USA Casual. Skirt??? Not. Both are PV and in the same price range ($100 to $130). The Sport Kilt has buckles, fringe, and the front apron has a deep pleat -- a plus. I like the fabric of the USA Casual with it's pill resistant treatment, and I like the stitching along the edge of the pleats to keep the crease. I could do without the logo applique on the lower corner of the apron. Both USA and Sport Kilt have excellent customer service. Sport Kilt will have it to you within a week. On the other hand the USA is made to order, except for a limited selection of off the peg -- which is what I was fortunate to obtain in my size in Ireland's National.

The USA Semi-Traditional is the next step higher, and well worth the price, from what I can see. I would not compare the USA semi-trad with Sport Kilt. In that case USA semi-trad would be the hands down winner.

[turpin]

You can get a USAK casual in Royal Stewart, Caledonia, or Firefighters Memorial tartan. If you can push hte $200 limit a bit go for the semi-trad. Better fit and more versatile in how it can be worn.

Failing that, one of the Ebay vendors should have something.

[Detroitpete]

I was JUST looking at that Firefighter's Memorial tartan--thanks guys for the USAK idea, I'll keep it in mind.

[IRISH]

the firefighter's memorial is very sharp and remember that a portion of the proceeds from that purchase will go to the leary firefighters foundation.

[Wompet]

Well, I just took a quick look at what "red kilt 38" would find on eBay ...
Go with a USAKilt. Trust me on this.