Shandy,

My welcome is added to those of my kilted brethren here.

Having read all the foregoing posts, you must be totally confused - blinded by science, as it were. My advice would be to look around you, visit all those kiltmakers' websites, send for their catalogues, do a Google 'Image' search on kilts and see the hundreds of photos that come up (for that matter, take a look at my photo album linked below where you'll see traditional kilts, breacans, Utilikilts, Amerikilts, contemporary kilts, in fact a fair cross section). When you see something YOU like, make a note of it, and then go for it. That's what I have always done. I don't believe I have ever asked for advice before making a purchase, and I have yet to be really disappointed.

Remember though, just because you like the look of something, it does not necessarily mean that it will suit you. You know what colours suit you best, what suits your personality and what you would be comfortable wearing. I have seen many kilts that I thought looked gorgeous but some aspects of the images I saw very much depended upon the wearer, and I realised that those kilts would not suit me.

You have to make up your own mind on this, Shandy. You sound as if you have done your homework, so go for it - and enjoy! You can always vary your wardrobe with your second (and later) purchases.