From the very beginning: I need advice!

[davedove]

Also look into renting, if that hasn't been mentioned, before purchasing, the more formal things you probably won't get much use from.

This is really good advice, especially if you are short of funds, unless of course you want to go ahead and buy the whole outfit. Definitely in vest in the hand tailored kilt, as you will get the most use from that. Unless you plan on attending many formal events, you would probably be better off renting a Prince Charlie jacket, waistcoat, and formal sporran, but again, that's up to you.

As far as underwear, you'll get arguments for and against here on the boards. In my mind, that's a personal choice that only you can make.

[Murray of New Brunswick]

Well, I'll be honest: my whole life I've wanted a kilt but I could never justify the expense. Now that I can, and since I don't own a tuxedo, I plan to make this my choice of formal wear for all important occasions - and perhaps even a few unimportant ones, but at that point I will be investing in some less formal stuff.

I've got the piper and am trying to decide what to enter and exit on, but that's another subject for another day.

[Shay]

Well, I'll be honest: my whole life I've wanted a kilt but I could never justify the expense. Now that I can, and since I don't own a tuxedo, I plan to make this my choice of formal wear for all important occasions - and perhaps even a few unimportant ones, but at that point I will be investing in some less formal stuff.

Fair enough, you'll always stand out in a crowd that way! However, a teensy tiny bit of advice- most people lose weight before their wedding from stress, and gain weight after their wedding, too. I guess it's the more regular meals. (Or in my case, my husband's meatloaf, bastard that he is!) It's another reason for renting some things, especially close-fitting ones.

I'm going to go hold my wedding dress up to myself later and just laugh and laugh at the thought I had when I bought it that, "If I just take off the train, I'll have an evening gown!" I was married two years ago and had a 28 inch waist. Now it's 32. Alright, 34. Alright... I have an elastic tape measure. But my point here is don't expect everything to still fit for years and years down the line. We get older, our bodies change, even if it's not fat, but just shape.

[davedove]

Well, I'll be honest: my whole life I've wanted a kilt but I could never justify the expense. Now that I can, and since I don't own a tuxedo, I plan to make this my choice of formal wear for all important occasions - and perhaps even a few unimportant ones, but at that point I will be investing in some less formal stuff.

Good plan. I can hear it now "But honey, I spent so much money on the kilt, I really should get some use out of it."

[M. A. C. Newsome]

On the subject of rentals -- I agree that this is an option for a lot of men. You can rent the kilt and the jacket separately from most places. Obviously you want to buy your own kilt. Many men want to buy their own kilt for their wedding, because they plan on wearing it to many occasions later on, but not necesarily formal occasions. So they buy the kilt, and rent the jacket. If you plan on wearing your kilt to lots of formal occasions, go ahead and buy the jacket, too. It will save you money in the long run.

Regarding the belt, you write:

14. kilt belt and buckle - strictly speaking maybe not with a Prince Charlie but the outfit may not look complete without it

If you wear a vest (and I see you have one listed) I strongly advise you not to wear the belt. Reason is that the vest is likely to cover half or more of your belt, and a bit of belt poking out from under your vest just looks goofy. :-) You very well may want to buy a belt and have it for those occasions when you are not wearing a vest, but for this occasion I say leave it off.

Regarding the kilt, you write:

9. kilt - 8 yards and handmade for good quality

And...

Q5: Does it matter if the kilt is 13 oz or 16 oz?

I will say first that it doesn't really matter if the kilt is 8 yards or not. I got married in a four-yard box pleated kilt. What matters is the quality of construction and material. You want it hand made, and you want it of good kilting weight wool.

In general the recommendation for an 8 yard kilt is good advice. This is because most all of your 8 yard kilts are going to be hand stitched, top quality items. Most of the 4 yard kilts you see offered today are machine stitched, and just not made with the same care and construction that goes into an 8 yard kilt. This is because they are being made as less-expensive "casual" kilts. But as I have said in another thread, the hallmark of a good kilt is that it is neither formal nor casual, but can be worn either way depending upon accessories. I wore a four-yard box pleated kilt to my wedding, hand made for me by Wanda McSwain, with semi-formal accessories, and looked great.

About kilt weight -- I always advise people to get the heaviest weight they can afford. A 10 oz weight cloth makes an ok 8 yard kilt. I wouldn't touch it for a 4 yard kilt. A 13 oz weight cloth makes an ok 4 yard kilt, and a perfectly fine 8 yard kilt. A 16 oz weight cloth makes a great kilt, of any kind. It's the premiere stuff. Of course, the heavier weights generaly cost a bit more, which is why I say get the heaviest weight you can afford.

Aye,
Matt

[davedove]

If you plan on wearing your kilt to lots of formal occasions, go ahead and buy the jacket, too. It will save you money in the long run.

The advise I was always given for tuxedos is if you wear one at least twice a year, you should go ahead and buy one. I suppose a similar guideline would work for a formal kilt jacket.