Do you have a favourite ..

[tundramanq]

OCR If you wear your kilts for other than formal and performance uses, think about the low cost casuals. I don't wear the few wool kilts I have much due to the extra care needed to keep them from damage. This keeps me "on edge" too much which reduces the comfort level a lot for me. I was just scrubing my bathtub with acid to remove the scale buildup - kilted as always. Would much rather be risking a $100 kilt than a $500+ wool kilt - acid dosen't know the difference in material or care. When I expect to get messy then the tartans come off and the ratty Utilikilts go on.

[Domehead]

I don't have a favorite. But, as Creaghdhubh stated [paraphrasing] the kilt I feel most natural in is my Robertson Red - Lochcarron Strome 4YBP. It is the Clan I was raised to recognize. It is the tartan that survived my family's emigration, be it: clothing, swatches, pillows, runners, ties, plates, mugs, post cards, statuettes, etc. It is the tartan (among a few) my family specifically "re-loaded" upon returning to Scotland. The other tartans I wear are no less significant to me, but are homages to those families whom comprise our larger... a sign of respect. The "Robertson" just feels like "mine", perhaps?

[creagdhubh]

I don't have a favorite. But, as Creaghdhubh stated [paraphrasing] the kilt I feel most natural in is my Robertson Red - Lochcarron Strome 4YBP. It is the Clan I was raised to recognize. It is the tartan that survived my family's emigration, be it: clothing, swatches, pillows, runners, ties, plates, mugs, post cards, statuettes, etc. It is the tartan (among a few) my family specifically "re-loaded" upon returning to Scotland. The other tartans I wear are no less significant to me, but are homages to those families whom comprise our larger... a sign of respect. The "Robertson" just feels like "mine", perhaps?

Well said!!!

[Professor Mac X]

Funny that you just posed this thread--this weekend I marched in an Irish Festival parade as part of my local Scottish Society, and wore my 13-oz. 8-yard Modern Hunting Maclean, Lochcarron (it was chilly and more wool was better than less). Immediately after I went to a friend's house to watch some March Madness, and after a couple hours ran on to several, my friend asked if I was comfortable or if I needed to change. "Comfortable?" I replied, and gave a half-twirl. "It doesn't get more comfortable than this!"
I like that kilt because it was my first, and is my go-to for colder weather and for dressy occasions. But my most recent acquisition is also great for just kicking around: a 16-oz., 5-yard wool, made by USA Kilts, in Ancient Hunting Maclean, also Lochcarron. It's the one I wore at last year's big Clan Gathering at Duart Castle. I really like the softer colors.

[creagdhubh]

Funny that you just posed this thread--this weekend I marched in an Irish Festival parade as part of my local Scottish Society, and wore my 13-oz. 8-yard Modern Hunting Maclean, Lochcarron (it was chilly and more wool was better than less). Immediately after I went to a friend's house to watch some March Madness, and after a couple hours ran on to several, my friend asked if I was comfortable or if I needed to change. "Comfortable?" I replied, and gave a half-twirl. "It doesn't get more comfortable than this!"
I like that kilt because it was my first, and is my go-to for colder weather and for dressy occasions. But my most recent acquisition is also great for just kicking around: a 16-oz., 5-yard wool, made by USA Kilts, in Ancient Hunting Maclean, also Lochcarron. It's the one I wore at last year's big Clan Gathering at Duart Castle. I really like the softer colors.

Welcome! Our resident Maclean, Sandy (JSFMACLJR), and staunch member of the Clan Maclean, would love this photo!

[brewerpaul]

A favorite would require defining what it is a favorite for. Each of us has a reason to wear a certain kilt at certain time thus possibly making them a fav. Others might have one that has special meaning thus creating a favorite. For myself Id have to include two kilts for two reasons.

First kilt and reason is my tank. I am fortunate to have a tank made by Bonnie Heather Greene in German Heritage 16oz wool. I wear this kilt for special occasions only as I want it to stay clean and nice. Ive had many compliments on it both for the fact it is hand made and also for the tartan (designed by Rocky). It is my favorite kilt due to the craftsmanship in the kilt, the wool and the tartan design. When I commissioned Bonnie to create it I wanted the German Heritage because it reflects my heritage. Yes I am a kilt wearer that isnt of Scottish ancestry. I wear this one with the pride of my heritage along with the pride of the Scottish heritage of the kilt and highland wear.





Next favorite for totally different reasons is my Stillwater Economy Wool in BlackWatch tartan. Jerry got these kilts and sold them at a very reasonable price. They are I think a 5 yard heavyweight wool pleated to stripe. At the price I bought two, one for daily wear and one for nice. I keep the nice one for when I do go out and can dress it up fancy or casual. The other I have for my almost daily wear. I like the Black Watch because it is an easy tartan to wear with many other complimentary colors of hose, shirts, sweaters etc. To me, and I mean no disrespect to the kilt or tartan, this kilt is my jeans of kilts I was looking for. The one I have for daily wear is worn on my walk to work, to the pub, to the grocery, to the farmers market, traveling, camping, hiking,,,, you get the picture. I wear it often and usually with charcoal gray or burgundy kilt hose (I bought 3 pair of each to wear instead of rolled down socks), either a brown leather or my Stillwater cargo sporran, sweaters or shirt and tweed waistcoat. I usually dont wear flashes or ties and mix between my simple clogs, wolverine boots and brown suede shoes. This kilt is a favorite like a comfortably worn pair of jeans, yes many of us have had those.


Excuse this photo as I had just pulled the kilt out of the package and tried it on.






Of course I have to include one last kilt, the one that got me started. This is an off the rack Hecktor Russell kilt I bought in Calander Scotland. It is a favorite for many reasons including my girlfriend telling me "By the kilt, you have to". Couldnt pass up that affirmation.

[Professor Mac X]

Thanks for your welcome! I look forward to more correspondence among site members!

[OC Richard]

OCR If you wear your kilts for other than formal and performance uses, think about the low cost casuals.

That's the thing, I don't wear kilts except when performing on the pipes, or the rare nonpiping formal occasion. This allows me to be a traditionalist stick-in-the-mud who only owns tartan wool handsewn kilts. My one compromise from the so-called "tank" is that I prefer a bit less yardage, around 7 yards, so that my kilts aren't so heavy in the back.

[tundramanq]

Thanks for clearing that up Richard. You are not a stick in the mud, we just see and use kilts at the opposite ends of the use spectrum. Daily use here and special event or perfomance garb there. A large number of words get used here from us not realizing that the difference in wear patterns creates different values in selecting the kilts we own.

Your "heavy in the back" thing is one I have to deal with for the HW wool. Having to wear them on my hips and not having much rump, the one I have requires a tight belt and frequent "hitching up". Georgious kilt but hitching in public "just ain't purdy"

[cable scot]

Well I like them all but the two I seem to wear the most right now are


My Matt Newsome 5yd box pleat



My Bonnie Greene 8yd box pleat

I have two more kilts on order from the same two people so this will change later I'll bet.