When I bought my first kilt, I wasn't very knowledgeable - hadn't yet discovered X-Marks! I felt I wanted to wear a kilt for a few days while visiting Edinburgh, and, not wanting to be extravagant, bought a budget-price kilt. Choice of tartan was therefore limited, and I opted for a Freedom of Scotland tartan. I've since learned that this is regarded as very "down-market" in some circles.

I still have the budget-price kilt, and wear it for country walking. I have since pushed the boat out, and bought a more expensive kilt in pure wool. I looked at various tartans of different names in my family tree, and settled on a Forbes Modern, since (1) I liked the colours, and (2) the Forbeses were one of the more respectable branches of the family (!)

If I could turn back the clock, I would research the whole subject much more fully at the outset, and also would be less afraid to spend to get the product that I really wanted.