How Did You Select Your First Kilt?

[derosa]

So you wear a kilt for a year the change it when the year changes?

No, every year I add a kilt. Now I have 6 I wear at different times.

[Jumpmonkey]

My first kilt was a 5.11 TDK in Multicam. I had always wanted to try a kilt, it was affordable, and the Multicam was a perfect way to compensate for my insecurity in wearing it. Shortly thereafter I picked up a couple of Stumptown kilts. Then this year for my birthday, my wife got me a Casual Kilt from USA Kilts. For that it was just a matter of finding a tartan I liked and rolling with it, I chose Holyrood. Since then I've more-or-less been sucked down the bottomless abyss that is traditional kilting. If I had it to do again, I'd dive in straight to traditional kilting, because of how much I love it. But it's great having a couple of real beater kilts about, and they still hold a fond place in my heart as part of my journey.

[Styckbow]

As a fellow Laphroaigh enthusiast I certainly applaud your thoughts on wearing a tartan from the area (on a side note I just managed to score 3 bottles of discontinued 18 year old in a very unlikely place) Personally I have a number of different tartans I wear because up until recently I thought I did not have a clan so I have 3 utility kilts 2 tartan kilts one in freedom and one in pride of Scotland and 2 hybrid kilts one in royal stewart and one in pride of Scotland as well as one on order in my wifes tartan (Thomson) and I am going to order one in my newly discovered family of Gordon so yes I do have quite a number of kilts however each has it's purpose. I am actually considering wearing one moose hunting this fall. So I say choose what you feel is this most important to you and just go with it

[Tomak]

I spent a good bit of time trying to decide what tartan I wanted as well. But in the end I chose the US Army tartan. After 20 years of service, they are truly my clan.

[Bluethunder90]

As a fellow Laphroaigh enthusiast I certainly applaud your thoughts on wearing a tartan from the area (on a side note I just managed to score 3 bottles of discontinued 18 year old in a very unlikely place) Personally I have a number of different tartans I wear because up until recently I thought I did not have a clan so I have 3 utility kilts 2 tartan kilts one in freedom and one in pride of Scotland and 2 hybrid kilts one in royal stewart and one in pride of Scotland as well as one on order in my wifes tartan (Thomson) and I am going to order one in my newly discovered family of Gordon so yes I do have quite a number of kilts however each has it's purpose. I am actually considering wearing one moose hunting this fall. So I say choose what you feel is this most important to you and just go with it

The more I drink Laphroaigh the bigger fan I become and the more I want to explore other Islays. You have quite the collection of kilts. I think I'm going to take your advice and go with what feels right.

[Fedgunner]

First was a Utilikilts mocker...the very next day a Utilikilts traditional.
Next was a Stillwater Lamont.
Next was a 3-4 kilt run with NeoKilts
Next was my tank. A 16 ounce hand sewn by Cathy Lare.
All the following kilts were originated through Celtic Croft.
There is one Paul Henry in this mix, purchased from a friend.
I'm really unsure to the grand total at the moment....though if you care to look, my kilt history is up to date.

[Stoff]

I may be an anomaly here, I have never purchased a kilt. My first was a great kilt for AWI reenacting. Next I made my first tailored kilt in Blackwatch, followed quickly by another in a generic tartan. My next one was in MacLennon modern woven by the Pendleton Mill in Oregon. I have three active use kilts now; a hybrid made using the remains of the lasttime kilt my mom made, the newest wool kilt I made at Kilt Lamp and a canvas X-Kilt. I am currently planning to build two more box pleated self colored kilts. But your mileage may vary.

Christoph

[OC Richard]

I may be an anomaly here, I have never purchased a kilt.

When I had just got this far in your post, not seeing that you were a kiltmaker, what leapt to mind was this:

At any Highland Games most of the kiltwearers you see don't own the kilt they're wearing.

Because the majority of the kiltwearers one generally sees at a Games are the Pipe Band people, whose kilts are owned by the bands. I've known people who have worn kilts regularly since they were youngsters, who have never owned a kilt. (If they ever quit the Pipe Band scene they would have to go out and buy their first!) On the other hand many pipers who compete in solos maintain a personal kit, not wanting to compete solo in band kit.

I made my first tailored kilt in Black Watch, followed quickly by another in a generic tartan. My next one was in MacLennon Modern woven by the Pendleton Mill in Oregon...I am currently planning to build two more box-pleated selfcolored kilts.

Wow that's impressive! I'm envious of your abilities.