Shopping for My first Kilt

**Geoff Withnell** · 19th November 17, 06:59 PM

I have a USAKilt casual that I got 9 years ago. It's never been pressed, washed many times, seen a lot of hard wear. Went on a date night with my wife last night, and she asked me to dress up a little. I wore that kilt with a nice shirt, accessories, and she was pleased. No question on getting value for your money. My 2 cents worth.

**Liam** · 19th November 17, 07:31 PM

You have done a lot of research. For a knock about kilt the true PV from Martin Mills (the stuff Freedom Kilts and USA Kilts use) is hard to beat. I have an older “The Kilt” that has a stabilizer and is a decent kilt but my go to kilt for casual wear is the Marton Mills one for warm weather.

Sorry it came out sideways. This was on vacation in Mexico a year ago.

**Richrail** · 19th November 17, 10:51 PM

I have three USAkilts casual kilts, they are a go to kilt for hiking and working about the yard. I even wore one in Hawaii Fleetwoods2.jpg Hiking in the Nevada desert dogwalkUSAKcasual.jpg

**Wareyin** · 20th November 17, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by Tobinn

Well, I've been reading a lot posts and I've eliminated the acrylic kilts from my list. I've learned the best PV material comes from MM. I've learned that wool can be quite comfortable even in sunny FLA (heat-wise not necessarily cold-wise although I was at the opening night of the Dunedin Celtic Music Festival last night and I was sorry I hadn't brought a jacket). I've pushed my budget up a bit seeing that a $65 kilt is probably nothing that I would be happy with in the long-term. I've included a couple of wool kilts but I've noticed that only USA Kilts asks for multiple measurements - all the rest ask only for the waist. As always, input is appreciated.

https://www.usakilts.com/
Casual Kilt; PV material $100

http://store.stillwaterkilts.com/
Wool $156

https://highlandkilt.com/
Heavyweight Poly Viscose Formal Kilts $129
100% Wool Budget Kilts $159

https://www.jhiggins.net
Value Kilt Poly/Viscous $130

I was just looking at the J Higgins yesterday. Their value kilt is listed as having buckles and straps, which seems on par with USA Kilts' Semi-Traditional Kilt. The J Higgins seems by far a better value, at $110 less than the Semi-Trad in my size. Which reminds me, note that the prices listed for J Higgins and USA Kilts will go up based on your size.

**Tobinn** · 20th November 17, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Wareyin

I was just looking at the J Higgins yesterday. Their value kilt is listed as having buckles and straps, which seems on par with USA Kilts' Semi-Traditional Kilt. The J Higgins seems by far a better value, at $110 less than the Semi-Trad in my size. Which reminds me, note that the prices listed for J Higgins and USA Kilts will go up based on your size.

Yes - my waist (kilt measurement not jeans measurement) dictates that I'll be at around the $130 mark.

**FossilHunter** · 20th November 17, 03:02 PM

USA kilts would definitely be my recommendation.

I would, however, suggest that you consider upgrading to the semi-traditional PV kilt they make. Same material but a step up in appearance in my opinion.

**Txdbltap** · 20th November 17, 05:27 PM

Being in the humidity of Florida, and wanting to use it for a walk, the synthetics might be the better choice. A good friend of mine has a medium weight wool kilt and says it's like an oven most of the year here on the Texas Gulf Coast.

**kilted firefighter** · 20th November 17, 06:23 PM

Plus one for USA kits, the semi-traditional if your budget allows, otherwise the casual.

**kingandrew** · 24th November 17, 04:29 AM

Welcome to the world of kilts!

I am also from Central Florida (Orlando area) originally. My 1st kilt was a Renn Faire purchase, made of some synthetic material (I don't know if it was PV, P-acetate, acrylic, or what). It was one of those "get the whole kit" deals which came with a black leather-like sporran about the size of a cigarette pack, a chain belt for the sporran, and a kilt pin and flashes (the only part of the kit I still have). Wearing it a few times I discovered A) that I liked wearing a kilt and people responded positively to me in one, and B) that I wanted to get a better-quality (meaning wool) kilt ASAP.

So I very quickly ordered a lightweight (11 oz) wool kilt and never looked back. I donated the synthetic kilt and cheapo sporran to the teenage son of a friend, who was interested in trying the kilt (he's a Lindsay).

Living in the muggy Florida climate, I found the wool kilt was much more breathable and comfortable than the synthetic for me. And the wool looks 100% better.

For the really hot activities (mainly running races), I have a 100% cotton Sport Kilt (the "Comfy Kilt" model) that works fine at keeping me cool. On the plus side--it was really affordable and has pockets(!). Also, it is really quick to take on or off since it uses velcro rather than straps. However, that kilt is always a little wrinkled and will never look dressy, so it's strictly for casual and athletic events.

My advice would be to get the best wool kilt your budget will allow. I've always been attracted to the Stillwater offerings, since they are so very reasonably priced and have the traditional straps. They are limited to just a couple of tartans, but might make a god starting point. Stillwater is definitely a goos source for budget-conscious but quality basic kilt accessories. I have a pair of kilt hose from them and one of their "Nightstalker" sporrans in black leather and both of these are really good quality--especially for the price. You'll be needing hose and a sporran to go with your kilt, that's for sure. The other stuff (bonnets, flashes, wide belt, kilt pin, yadda yards) can wait, but socks and a sporran are pretty essential.

Everyone seems to love USA Kilts as well, so it sounds like you can't go wrong there. Unfortunately, I haven't purchased a kilt from either Stillwater or USA yet, so I can't give you any advice on one vs. the other.

Although I did not buy a kilt from Atlanta Kilts, I did buy one of their leather "swordsman vests." It is really nice (aside from the plastic "horn" buttons), well made and looks great for that casual "pirate shirt" outfit.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck in your quest.

Andrew

**Tobinn** · 26th November 17, 11:05 AM

Well, my wife was surprisingly nonchalant when I mentioned my kilt quest with the only comment being that to remember that she is quite allergic to real wool...

I asked the folks at J. Higgins if they use MM PV and they said that they did so I'm hemming and hawing between USA and J.H.