Help with first kilt

[Panache]

Thanks for your input Jamie, it is very helpful and thanks for the pictures as well as it helps give a visual and spark ideas. I was wondering if you have experience with the 8 yard wool vs the 5 yard wool. I think I've made up my mind to go wool but now I'm deciding just which way to go. I think I like the idea of the 5 yard being potentially cooler in the summer and lower cost but I'm weighing that vs the quality and look of an 8 yard kilt. Would you have any input on that?

Also, what would be your opinion on the black argyll vs the charcoal jacket discussed? It seems to me that the charcoal version is technically tweed as I can only find black argyll vs charcoal tweed argyll style like the one seen here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-CHARC...aPGyDFPck6PodQ (not sure if that link comes through or not).

djallen813,

I do not have experience with Rocky's 8 yard hand sewn kilts, only the 5 yard ones with machine sticking. They have a different and simpler internal construction than an 8 yard* hand sewn (basically once you get past 5 yards of wool cloth you have to stick with the traditional Scottish way of doing it or all the cloth from the pleats bunches up around the top of the kilt and you would look like a sausage).

It boils down to number and depth of pleats. with and 8 yard traditional kilt you get lots of deep pleats and they will have that wonderful "swish" when you walk or dance. I do not notice all that much difference between my 5 yard, 6 yard, or approx. 8 yard wool kilts in the heat. I do notice a significant difference between my lightweight PV USA semi traditional kilts and my wool ones in summer. If you can afford it, the hand sewn 8 yard traditional hand sewn kilt is the absolute best. However Rocky's 5 yards are a wonderful value and you get all the beauty of real wool tartan and the fit of made to measure with them.

I edited my original response to you and when I did so I addressed charcoal gray tweed jackets. To reiterate..they look wonderful!
I like them a lot. Yet they don't have the versatility for daywear and more casual occasions than other lighter tweeds. At the same time they can't be dressed up as formally as a standard black barathea argyll.

Cheers

Jamie

* They really aren't exactly eight yards to be honest. It all involves the size of the tartan set, the measurements of the wearer, etc...

[OC Richard]

In our modern traditional Highland Dress, which took its current form in the early 20th century, a black barathea Argyll jacket with silver buttons is an Evening Dress jacket just as much as is a Prince Charlie, Montrose, Kenmore, or what have you. In other words the materials, rather than the cut, seem to decide the category.

So, a black Argyll with silver buttons would be worn with an Evening sporran (silver cantle and fur) and with full tartan or diced hose, buckled shoes, formal neckwear, and so forth, just as a Prince Charlie would be. Evening Dress isn't suitable for occasions where the nonkilted men are in suits.

I think that's why so many people in Scotland advocate a charcoal jacket, due to it being suitable for informal and daytime occasions.

Now that's mere tradition, and anyone is free to not follow it.

An early appearance of the Evening Argyll



Nowadays the black Argyll has become the standard uniform of the piper. At the World Pipe Band Championships one could see nearly all of the 240 bands wearing them... that is until all the bands decided to not wear jackets in competition any more, and just wear the waistcoats.

Actually they're not all black. Some bands wear an extremely dark blue, some charcoal grey.

The standard modern pipe band uniform: smart but comfortable



Here is Prince Charles well showing the elegance of the grey kilt jacket

[djallen813]

You guys are great, thank you so much. At this point I feel like I'm going to choose between the 5 yard or 8 yard kilt, then depending on how much I have left in the budget I may look for an affordable charcoal or black argyll jacket and waistcoat to dress it up. At least that's the plan as of now, who knows what tomorrow will bring.

[djallen813]

Just wanted to give a quick update since you were all so helpful.

I met the wonderful and very friendly Rocky from USA Kilts at the Irish Festival here this past weekend and ordered my 5 yard Black Watch 16 oz kilt! I'm very excited!

I was also gifted a kilt pin and belt from some family members that attended with me, so I should have a great start on a casual outfit to start.

Thanks again for the help and I hope to be able to post some more updates soon. Can October get here quick, I want my kilt now