I'll seek the advice of the experts here, and tell my story/situation. Laid off piping for more than a decade due to life happening. Two wars, marriage, kids, etc. My wife prodded me into taking the bagpipe up again a few years ago. I'm probably going to begin taking gigs again this summer or spring and will need a kilt. I've decided on tatan, the MacKay Modern, since it's my wifes clan and she's the one who prodded me into piping again. It will need to serve for many more formal occassions than informal. St. Patricks Day is once a year, people get married, burried and have birthdays all year long. My band kilt, dating from the late eighties, no longer fits my fat butt. I know nothing about it except it was the kilt I purchased to match everyone else in the band. It's predominantly green. End of my wisdom regarding that subject.

Now my questions. 1) Will a 5 yard do, or is an 8 yard that much more formal looking? My experience has been solely with band kilts, 20 years ago.

2) I am predisposed to get a wool kilt. Any reason to look harder at PV?

3) I'd like to support either a local business or a forum advertiser. Admittedly, USAKilts is on the top of my list right now because they advertise here and are somewhat local (neighboring state). Any reason to put them (him) on the back burner for a bit? I know a lot of this has been covered elsewhere, but I guess I'd like specific answers to ease my mind before dropping a few hundred dollars, plus accoutraments.

Thank you, I hope to soon be part of the official rabble.