Why aye Mackay! USAK Casual with less casual accoutrements

**Wolfhound Jack** · 17th February 13, 10:19 AM

When I was shopping for a new kilt I wanted something that could easily shrink with me for a few sizes as I save up for a full wool MacKay tank once I get closer to my goal (I've lost roughly 1 1/2 stone in weight since Christmas and still going).

After countless emails and questions ... and the patience of a Kilted Saint ... Rocky (and this forum) sold me on a USAK Casual.

However, one of the questions I had when I was shopping was how would some of the "less expensive options" all look when combined together. I know frugal minded Scots who are getting kilted up for the first time wonder these things. So this is "all the less expensive stuff" that I own.

Kilt - USA Kilts Casual in Ancient Mackay - fits like a champ! Customer for life! Mr. Ian MacBride kilted it to stripe, which I love! I forgot to ask for the 2 1/4" bigger belt loops, but I am used to wearing greatkilts with the belt over everything/no loops anyway so it hardly matters.
http://www.usakilts.com/kilts-and-pa...sual-kilt.html

Vest - New Jersey Piper "5 button" Vest (just a UniformalWearhouse vest where he does the buttons from Three Feathers Pewter for you)
http://www.newjerseypiper.com/vests.html

Hose - Lovat Blue kilt hose from W Brewin (I have 19" calves so I needed both big hose and these are also some of the most inexpensive)
http://www.wbsocks.co.uk/Kilt-hose/

Brogues - The infamously awesome Ghillators (from Sportkilt - I wear 12, bought the 12 1/2 and they fit fine)
http://www.ghillators.com/
http://sportkilt.com/product/9181/Ghillators.html

Glengarry - Just the basic Glengarry from Sportkilt
http://sportkilt.com/product/561/Glengarry.html

Sgian Dubh - woven steel also from Sportkilt, the all metal feels great against the leg
http://sportkilt.com/product/1901/Sg...ven-Steel.html

Tie - I know, it's unforgivably shiny, but it fit with the "cheap" theme.

http://www.solidcolorneckties.com/So...a61na-0037.htm

Misc
Sporran & Kilt pin - don't recall sorry, got them off ebay I think
Cap Badge - Had it for years, don't recall from where or who - just a basic pewter Mackay
Flashes - don't recall, but I know they're one of the various "value" hose options from the various sellers
Shirt - just a Wal-Mart shirt (sorry about the collar buttons for those that it drives mad)
Pipe - Dunbar P1s w/military style drone tops and a Warnock reed (tuned to 480)

**Godot** · 17th February 13, 11:30 AM

Well, my 2 cents says you look pretty dang good, even if thrown together on the cheap. I don't think anyone can knock you for putting in this much effort to look respectable when you know you are going to shrink out of the outfit before too long. Congrats on the weight loss so far, being healthy is a great thing!

**mookien** · 17th February 13, 12:38 PM

Well, let me put it to you simply. You look great - everything - shiny tie and collar buttons, as well. In fact you look better in inexpensive gear than I do dressed to the nines on Burn's night. Some guys are just lucky like that - naturals.

By the way, I love my Ghilliecrocs, too.

**llyd** · 17th February 13, 01:25 PM

I dunno..I like the tie...that bottle green draws the green out of the tartan, as does the blue hose...it works pretty well.

**pbutts** · 17th February 13, 01:39 PM

Looks good....how do you like the dunbars?

**Plaid Draftsman** · 17th February 13, 02:02 PM

Looks great. have to go there to get a vest

**Wolfhound Jack** · 17th February 13, 03:39 PM

Thanks everyone! I really am enamored of the Casual kilt.

Originally Posted by pbutts

Looks good....how do you like the dunbars?

Love 'em, the basic Dunbar chanter seems to be finicky with the reed - most seem to sometimes squeak on a high G (by sometimes I mean, very very rare - maybe once in a five minute set) but the band is probably moving on to either McCallum or Naill band chanters anyway so it's about to be a non-issue.

**TheOfficialBren** · 17th February 13, 08:24 PM

I have those same hose and a very similar kilt in Holyrood on order.

Looking good! I am totally surprised that the Casual model cleans up that well! Definately NOT the same as a SW acryllic. Nicely done.

**Nik** · 18th February 13, 06:40 AM

I've been wondering if I should get a Casual or a Semi-Trad from USAK to be paired with my wife's kilted skirt. Considering how well that looks with your setup I'm tempted to step down to a Casual. Save myself about $100 and maybe be able to afford it a few months sooner. Believe me I've wants a tailored kilt since before Christmas and darn bills got in the way. But this might be what I'm looking for. Thank you for posting and including the great pics.

Looking very sharp!

-Nik