Kilt Question - Irish National tartan

**MotorheadMike** · 27th January 12, 12:24 PM

Hello! My name is Mike and I am a new member. I love kilts and have 4 from SportKilt. I know they are not "up there" on the kilt scale with most of you, having read several posts about them here, but for my purposes they have been fine and I find SK's customer service to be excellent.

Now, I would like to get a kilt in the Irish National tartan and am interested in something a little bit more - formal? authentic? - than SK. I like the SK for hanging out, sports, Ren Faires, etc. and they work great for that. But I was interested in something up a notch.

I am not looking to spend hundreds of dollars just yet though. I have checked out the Stillwater Standard and USAKilts casual, and would love any advice or tips you folks could give.

Thanks!

**Santa Wally** · 27th January 12, 06:31 PM

I'd highly recommend a USAKilts casual kilt. Click on the USAKilts ad on the top of this page, then choose Casual KIlts, then click on Tartans and scroll down to see the Irelands National tartan. After 1 Sport Kilt, next was a made to measure USAKilt casual kilt. After getting rid of my Sport kilt, I ordered 2 more casual kilts from USAKilts for a total of 3. Last year I ordered a 5 yard wool kilt from Rocky @ USAKilts.

**Riverkilt** · 27th January 12, 07:14 PM

You can have any two of price, quality, or service. If you want to kilt up in a sharp kilt you're gonna have to pay up. Many (most?) more expensive kilt makers have a two payment plan. Half on order, other half on completion. Helps make quality kilts affordable.

**cable scot** · 27th January 12, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

You can have any two of price, quality, or service. If you want to kilt up in a sharp kilt you're gonna have to pay up. Many (most?) more expensive kilt makers have a two payment plan. Half on order, other half on completion. Helps make quality kilts affordable.

+ 1
KELTOI has a layaway plan in 4 part payments.

**Mikilt** · 27th January 12, 08:48 PM

If you are looking for something "formal", then I do not recommend a "casual" kilt. Don't get me wrong, I love casual kilts and the kiltmakers that make them. It's your criteria of "formal" that leads me to recommend Stillwater Kilts Standard. It's a terrific kilt for not a lot of money. I own two and I find it easy to dress them up or down. It's acrylic, but it's a mighty fine value and you also get to experience Jerry's Time Machine!

**MotorheadMike** · 27th January 12, 09:14 PM

Thanks for the replies. I guess "formal" was a poor choice of words - I mean something a step up from the Sportkilt.

**O'Callaghan** · 27th January 12, 09:20 PM

It's important to note that Irish National and Ireland's National are not the same tartan. Of course, either will honour the Auld Sod just as well, but they don't look the same. Irish National is quite bright and Ireland's National is much darker. Of course, it depends on what you prefer.

Me, I like bright colours, so I prefer Irish National, and Stillwater are AFAIK the only firm licenced to supply kilts in that tartan using fabric other than that actually woven by House of Edgar themselves in Scotland. I have one in their 'Thrifty' (velcro) line, which is nice enough for what it is, but doesn't have very many pleats, or frankly much shape to it. The pleats are only sewn down two inches from the waistband, whereas in 'better' kilts that would be four inches.

There is a 'Standard' version with buckles, and at one time they had an inbetween quality version called an 'Economy'. I think only the 'Standard' version is lined.

The Irish National kilts sold by Stillwater in Virginia (and made somewhere in the Far East, most probably Pakistan) are all made of heavy acryllic. This type of fabric tends to 'pill', i.e. generate little round balls of fabric on the surface, and in that weight it is very warm, but not suitable for summer weather, as unlike wool it does not 'breath'.

USA kilts make kilts in Ireland's National, which is quite different, using fabric woven by Marton Mills in England (yes, England, not Scotland or Ireland) who own the copyright on that tartan.

And, of course, Sport Kilt do carry All Ireland Green, which is Locharron's answer to a tartan to represent Ireland, but then perhaps you may have that one already.

**LitTrog** · 27th January 12, 09:37 PM

Don't worry about climbing "up a notch" just to feel like your presence here is more justifiable. Buy and wear the kilts which suit your use and budget. My first was a premier kilt from USAK, but that was only because I was suiting up for my wedding. Had I started more slowly, I would have done exactly as you are.

I have no experience with Stillwater, but everything I've read on here is extremely positive. A USAK casual is a kilt and company upon which I would gladly stake my distinguished :butt: reputation. The PV is a great non-wool alternative in terms of look, feel, and durability--and the folks over at USA Kilts are bleeding fantastic.

**MotorheadMike** · 27th January 12, 09:39 PM

Ah I appreciate all these details. So much I don't know. Wasn't aware of the difference between those two tartans. I do have the All Ireland Sportkilt, actually!

Thanks, I actually just want a kilt that looks more like a kilt, as I read that the Sportkilts do not. The acrylic from Stillwater concerns me. I am leaning toward the USAKilt.

**LitTrog** · 27th January 12, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by cable scot

KELTOI has a layaway plan in 4 part payments.

Yeah, if you're looking to go BIG, send John at Keltoi a message. Wonderful guy, and (by all accounts) wonderful craftsman. As soon as I can sell this silly redundant kidney, I'm having him build me something lovely.

Keltoi or USAK. You're good either way.