New Kilt!!

[MinusHD]

Having checked the USPS tracking system incessantly (and powerlessly) for shipping updates over the past few days I got a rush of excitement when I read that the package had been delivered. Fast forward a few hours… Upon getting home I quickly retrieved the box from the front doorstep and carefully opened it to reveal my new (new to me, at least) 8-yard X-rental 13 ounce wool American Heritage tartan kilt from Rocky at USA Kilts. Having no other high quality kilts in my possession to compare with, I can only trust Rocky’s reputation and the numerous outstanding customer comments on X Marks to know this is a great product. Being a "used" item, it is very clear that this kilt is in fantastic condition. It practically looks brand new, has a solid weight, and feels like it fits well. I also ordered Lovat blue and standard red flashes, and a pair of charcoal hose to add to my meager Highland wardrobe. Right out of the box the kilt looked really good. It could use a little steam pressing in a couple places, but I haven't gotten around to that yet. It was pretty much ready to wear.

Rocky and Lucas provided fantastic customer service via email and phone to make sure all my (many) questions were answered, and that I was comfortable with making the purchase. Since the X-rental kilt was already on the shelf their speedy shipping seemed even speedier. Overall, I must say that I’m extremely happy with my experience, and happy to offer my recommendation for USA Kilts.

Here are some pictures with a few different looks based on what I could find to mix and match from my existing "regular guy" wardrobe, which turns out to be fairly limited. Pardon the 9-year-old-quality photography...

This is about as fancy as I can get (as I've lost weight this shirt has become a little big on me - it looks like I'm really working to suck in my stomach):

Blue dress shirt, Striped tie, big black belt w/silver buckle, Cream Hose, Lovat blue flashes, regular black dress shoes, inexpensive day sporran. Those hose are enormous on my skinny legs, too. The first and probably last time I wear them. I forgot the kilt pin in this photo.

A bit more Casual (with a shirt that fits):

Tight check pattern dress shirt, old cheap brown Soviet military belt and Soviet military buckle (hey, I like it!), Charcoal hose, red flashes, brown square toe boots... same sporran... only have one! Kilt pin present!

A casual summer look - a little less "matchy-matchy":

Yellow Polo shirt, old Soviet military belt and buckle, Charcoal hose, Lovat blue flashes (probably not enough contrast), my old beat up hiking boots... same sporran.

I'm probably starting to get too old for this, but here's the casual grungy/rocker/biker look:

Bourbon St. H-D t-shirt, Kilt worn slightly lower, no belt, no sporran, cheap black hose pushed down, Bates paratrooper boots.

And I suppose it's obligatory to sneak one of these in:


As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ll be wearing my kilt in a pretty casual manner for these two reasons: 1.) I’m a fairly casual guy, and 2.) budget prevents me from getting all the traditional garb all at once. I also can’t really see myself dressed in full traditional Highland attire at the moment. Maybe later down the road, but for now I feel it would look a bit too “costume-y”… and I’m only talking about MY perception of ME here. I truly admire all the traditionalists… you seriously look great! It’s just not my style right now.

So, I will start finding ways to include my new kilt in my wardrobe for use as another article of clothing according to my own style preferences, and as the occasion dictates… Now, I need more kilts!

If any of you are in the North Texas area on Friday, June 27th I encourage you to come see my new kilt first hand and hear my band perform for a little while. Here’s the event post in the Kilt Nights forum… no responses yet, but were still more than 2 weeks out at this point:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...nney-tx-84221/

Thanks!