Shopping for My first Kilt

[Tobinn]

I knew that the choice of tartan would be extensive but who knew that there'd be so many options, types, fabrics, features involved with selecting a kilt? Me, that's who. Two buckle, three buckle, PV, Acrylic, Wool, Wool Blend, linings, waist only fits, multiple measurements.....It's enough to drive a man to drink. Oh wait...too late!

Anyway, I've agreed to participate in a charity run/walk (I'm walking, I'm not proud) in April as part of the Dunedin, FL Highlander Games. I figured I may as well do it up as best I can so I'm looking for a kilt and the essentials (sporran, belt, buckle - I already have a shirt and hose from my days as a Revolutionary War re-enactor when I lived "up North").

I've been looking at all sorts of websites and whatnot for about a week now and is my head swimming.

With my proximity to Dunedin fellows wearing kilts out is not altogether uncommon and I've been looking at'em with a little envy for years so this is a perfect excuse to jump into a kilt.

I figure, in addition to this one event, I'll reckon wear a kilt on brewpub crawls (Dunedin has at least eight brewpubs within a 15 minute walk of each other) and just out and about - especially when it's hot (like 10 months of the year).

I've found the following sites and kilts in my price range or at the upper, upper edge, anyway. I know that you get what you pay for and while I'm tempted with $40 or $50 price tags I know I'll be disappointed. I also know that as much as I'm sure that I'd love a $300 or more kilt I just can't afford it. Plus, I'll almost exclusively be wearing it out casually so there's that.

With all that said, I would be grateful for any advice, comments, direction anything at all (I've taken the hyperlinks out as I'm not sure if I'm allowed to include them).

Thanks much!

https://www.usakilts.com/
Casual Kilt; PV material; $100

https://www.utkilts.com/
Acrylic ; $70
Wool; $100

http://store.stillwaterkilts.com/
Acrylic; $90

https://highlandkilt.com/
Acrylic; $99
Heavyweight Poly Viscose Formal Kilts; $129

https://www.got-kilt.com/
Traditional kilt 8 yard Acrylic; $89
Wool Blend Traditional Kilts; $109

http://www.midwestkilts.com/
Acrylic Wool; $90
Standard Heavy Acrylic; $115

https://www.atlantakilts.com/
Standard Kilt; $75

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/
Poly/Viscose Economy Kilts; $89
100% Wool Economy Kilt; $150

[Steve Ashton]

Please note that the kilts that are listed as "Heavy Weight P/V" are more than likely acrylic.

P/V stands for Polyester/Viscose with Viscose being the British term for Rayon. So P/V is a Poly/Rayon blend. The only weaver I know of doing kilt quality P/V weaves this in one weight. 12oz per linear yard double-width.

To make an 8 yard kilt the maker starts with four yards of double-width fabric. So an 8 yard P/V kilt will weigh right about 48oz or 3 pounds.

[LKM]

When it comes to a quality kilt on a budget I can personally tell you that USA Kilts makes great products. If you expect to wear your kilt for more then a few runs/walks or the occasional highland festival you look at the semi-traditional as it can be dressed up for formal events. I have seen kilts from Freedom Kilts that are also great quality for the money, and some of these have pockets. I have heard good things about some of the kilts from Celtic Croft, yet I have not checked these personally.

A good PV, such as what USA Kilts and Freedom Kilts carries, will be far better in the long run then most Acrylic fabrics. Some people like wool better while others like PV better. That is a matter of personal comfort and feel/swing preference.

For the sporran, as it is a walk/run you might want to wear it on the side and then rotate it forward afterwards. Often athletes skip on the sporran as it can bounce uncomfortably in some sports. A simple black or brown leather sporran should be good for years to come. If you have any skills with working leather you can easily make your own sporran.

For sizing, understanding the different kilt options, and other information USA Kilts also has great videos to help you.
https://www.usakilts.com/information...os/videos.html

P.S.: My brain went to Dúnedain from Lord of the Rings before I realized there was a city called Dunedin in Florida

[derosa]

I have two acrylic kilts, one a traditional style and one a UT Kilt and I really prefer the wool. The Acrylic doesn't seem to have any real advantage vs wool, it is a little cooler when sitting still such as in the car and it is easier to wash. It also needs to be easier to wash as it requires more frequent cleaning and the pilling both are experiencing are major detractors for me. I use and electric razor to keep the worst of it at bay but its a nuisance. Personally a nice 4-5 yd wool kilt is my preferred but it isn't cheap though USA kilts does seem to put it at a reasonable price point. As I do like my UT kilt I'd be inclined to try their wool kilt or stillwater's wool kilt which they do have as the company seems to get decent reviews.

[Wareyin]

I bought an acrylic kilt from Atlanta Kilts (they are local to me), and I sadly would not recommend them. The acrylic doesn't look or hang correctly, and it wrinkles at the drop of a hat. The store itself also advertised a lot of things about its merchandise that just wasn't so, and the kilt I bought had to be brought back to fix a badly misplaced belt loop that they were aware of but assumed I wouldn't care about.

I also have a USA casual kilt, and I absolutely love it. I bought it second hand, so have no experience with the shop, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. I am debating ordering another casual kilt in my tartan, the only drawback being their Buchanan PV is "muted", rather than either modern or ancient.

I have no first hand knowledge of any of the other shops, but can only recommend that you either stick with wool or actual PV (not acrylic).

[Tobinn]

One thing I've noticed is that some kilts (in my price range) have a waist lining and some have leather buckles and some and both. Some have basic waist measurement and some take multiple measurements.

Questions:
Is a lining important?
I like the idea of leather buckles (three of them) but should I worry so much about that feature?
I assume that the more measurements asked for means a better fitted kilt but at my price range how much does that matter?

On a side note I have to add a "Drat, Dunedin has a Celtic Music Festival starting tomorrow and Safety Harbor and a Folk-n-Fruit Festival on Saturday both of which would be excellent kilt-wearing opportunities for a kilt-neophyte such as your truly."