Are there any kilt makers in the UK which stand above others in quality?

**jsrnephdoc** · 23rd February 25, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by North40

Is it pretty easy to get an accurate jacket measurement by yourself with the help of another person? Or is it something you would recommend getting done in person?

Most people never have a suit or jacket tailor made. If they did, there wouldn't be a huge "ready to wear" business with very well respected shops such as Nordstrom, or J Press, or Brooks Brothers. But we all differ in how our shoulders and necks articulate with our chests, so if you want a perfect fit you'd either get it made to measure or have a tailor make minor adjustment, but adjustment more complicated than just hemming the length of pant legs.

I picked up a Prince Charlie jacket (probably from previous rental use) at some Highland Games about 3 years ago. I don't remember how much I paid, but it wasn't much more than $100 for jacket and waistcoat (that actually came from different used clothing vendors. The labels inside say they were made in Scotland The satin lapels are a bit wrinkled, and the collar doesn't quite work with my crooked neck. Most people wouldn't notice, but they both bother me. On the other hand, the PC is the highland wear item that least commonly comes out of my closet, so I'll probably just wear it once or twice a year and not worry about it.

**North40** · 23rd February 25, 04:56 PM

That's a good point. I think(?) I should be fine just getting a general measurement and buying one of their "prepared" sizes for the jacket/vest. A bit apprehensive since I've never gotten measured for formal wear or a suit before and the jackets are quite the investment.

Originally Posted by jsrnephdoc

][...]and the collar doesn't quite work with my crooked neck. Most people wouldn't notice, but they both bother me.

I guess the silver lining to this, relatively speaking, is that you didn't pay a substantial sum of money for the PC lol.

**OC Richard** · 27th February 25, 08:10 AM

Another vote for Cathy Hope, "Braw Kilts" in Edinburgh.

**jsrnephdoc** · 27th February 25, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Another vote for Cathy Hope, "Braw Kilts" in Edinburgh.

What (asymmetrical?) tartan? Is it Cathy's work?

Nice bonnet, by the way

**OC Richard** · 28th February 25, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by jsrnephdoc

What (asymmetrical?) tartan? Is it Cathy's work?

Yes by Cathy Hope, and yes Hunting Stewart is asymmetrical.

Well actually Hunting Stewart has a symmetrical ground, but the yellow and red lines are laid upon it asymmetrically, so that each yellow or red line only appears, in effect, in every other repeat of the sett.

With the super-dark Modern Colours military HS kilts the yellow and red lines are superimposed over a near-black ground, so the front apron is centred to the yellow line.

But in Ancient Colours and Weathered Colours the three different ground-colours are clearly seen, so you're confronted with the choices

1) using the yellow or red line as the centre-line and having the whole ground be off-centre, or

2) using a feature of the ground as the centre-line and having the yellow and red lines off-centre.

I chose #2, I wanted the ground to be centred, so as you see there's a broad grey stripe coming down each side of the sporran.

Had I chosen #1 these broad grey stripes would be off-centre, but the yellow line would be centred. There's no correct answer!

Originally Posted by jsrnephdoc

Nice bonnet, by the way.

Thanks! I'd been wanting a Robert Mackie Balmoral in their traditional Fawn colour for decades. I finally bought one, and only a year later they shut down their traditional bonnet division.