How Did You Select Your First Kilt?

[OC Richard]

This thread is about choosing your first tartan: your first statement to the world about how you view who and how you are in this world.

In my case ruminative stuff like that was far from my mind... I just went to a local fabric shop and bought some cloth that was passably tartan-like.

My usual current kilt is Isle Of Skye which I likewise got simply because I thought it looked nice.

Only in the last ten years or so have I learned more about my family history and become interested in the idea of getting a kilt that reflects it, say Stewart or Cavan or Cornwall.

[Karl R]

If you pack tonight after work and start driving, you have time to get lost once or twice and even catch a Laphroaig or three in New Orleans and still make it to Conyers for our Burns supper Saturday night. I'll save you a slot for a Burns song.

I think that might irritate my better half. She's expecting me to drive her to a conference in the opposite direction. I didn't live this long by pissing off redheads.

Stray thought: how would your family feel about having Aunt Barbara's funeral at her favorite pub? That way, your Laphroaig tartan would earn points for multi-tasking.

Probably wouldn't go over very well with my folks. They're damn near teetotalers. And when I look up my family tree (English, Irish, German, Scottish, Eastern European, French, ...) I have to wonder ... Who in the hell did they inherit that trait from?

In my case ruminative stuff like that was far from my mind... I just went to a local fabric shop and bought some cloth that was passably tartan-like.

I'm with you. My wife bought my kilt because she knew I'd like the colors. (And she bought it off the rack, so it would arrive by Christmas.) My first (and second) kilts are about figuring out when, where, and how frequently I want to wear a kilt. If I decide to get a nice kilt, that will be the recipient of deep consideration.

[tripleblessed]

I think that might irritate my better half. She's expecting me to drive her to a conference in the opposite direction. I didn't live this long by pissing off redheads.

Two things: 1, sounds like priorities in order, and 2, potential for long and happy life.

[OC Richard]

I didn't live this long by pissing off redheads.

How this rings true with me! A sister, a wife, a son, a daughter... I'm surrounded, and I surrender.

[DaveScott]

My sister had visited family in Scotland and gave me a swatch of tartan which I really liked, telling me it was associated with the Scott clan. Searching at a local Highland wear shop with their help I was able to identify it as Scott green weathered tartan.

[alfrenovsky]

Choose anything matching your everyday style and start thinking about the next one.

You'll want to wear it everyday. Then you will notice one is not enough.

[Me cousin Jack]

Do to name sake, it selected me.

[DerekvG]

At the age of 49 my mum died and she left me a stockpile of documents about my genealogy. After working on this for several months I stumbled upon my father's lineage.
I have a name that originates in the South of France medieval gascony, which I got from tgemai assumed to be my grandfather. He also gave me my first knife at the age of15, much to dismay if my mother.
in the pile were letters from paternal grandmother from her English speaking lover. My gran was married 6 years after my dad was born, andworked for pre war GM/GE GSM-Continental Europe in Antwerp between 1925 and 1930 birth year of my father. My dad was the illegitimate son of her English lover.
Research took years but I eliminated lije 20 out of 24 potential GM expats and ended with 4 candidates 2 in the highest and 2 in the 2nd highest category
the best ranked candidates havibvious links to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, so I decided to get more interested to the point that I wanted to wear a kilt.
out of respect for the family lineage addociayed with clan kilts I've decided to wear Stewart, I started with a hunting Stewart and a utility kilt in black with royal Stewart tartan in the pleads. I want an royal Stert an a black Stewart for more firmal ocassiobs,
all my accessories are based on the Thistle motif

[MuskratMike]

My first kilt was, of course, in the clan tartan associated with my lineage. For those without genetic or familial ties to clans, it really doesn't matter how you pick the tartan for your kilt. There is no entry requirement, no examination, no form to fill out in order to justify it. Pick one because you like the colours or the style of the sett. Pick it because you like the organisation or the region it represents. Whatever suits your fancy. Just make sure you know what tartan it actually is!

With your service record, you could definitely go with the army or navy tartans. Any of the so-called universal tartans are options as well, and if you want to get into your first tartan kilt without breaking the bank on a bespoke build, you might do well to shop around for used ones in common tartans. Just make sure you measure yourself accurately so you know your sizing options. By purchasing a pre-owned kilt for your first, you'll save some money for all the traditional accessories that will be needed (proper hose, sporran, sgian dubh, garter ties or flashes, belt, kilt pin, and much more).

I just ordered my first kilt. Very excited and can't wait for it to arrive. As I am from Irish/American heritage I ordered our tartan from the county our castle still stands in Fermangouh county (home to the McGuire clan). I ordered a 5 yard 13 oz. wool kilt and will wear it proudly to the historical shooting events in my area along with our Highland Games held every year. As a flintlock shooter I am portraying the 1750's-1780's American long hunter. Going after the look of Rogers Rangers. Hope you enjoy iyour kilt and wear it proudly my new friend.
"keep your powder dry, your eyes on the skyline, and your flint sharp".
"Muskrat Mike" McGuire
McMinnville, Oregon

[Cameron of Texas]

My father's surname is Cameron, mother's name was Kennedy...chances are I have come Celtic blood coursing through me. I based my decision on who could make my kilt in a lightweight, specific clan tartan, tailored to my measurements at a reasonable price. And, with the 10% off offered by Scotweb through xmarks... I chose them to make my kilt.

I'm pleased to say the least