New to kilts need help

[auld argonian]

If i do buy a new kilt i want it to be in the MacEwan tartan and from what i see that will cost me more then $100.
Thanks for what you have said so far

I think that your situation is typical of a lot of us who participate here: get interested in kilts and, after some research, find that there is a certain tartan that you would like to wear and that having a kilt made in that tartan will be a reasonably costly exercise...and you're not really sure that kilt wearing is going to be "your thing" and sinking serveral hundred dollars into a kilt that you may or may not wear seems a bit risky. That's why Iolaus suggested getting a "starter kilt" like a Stillwater...I would add the possibility of one from Bear or USA Kilts as well...it gives you an idea of what wearing a kilt entails. It's easy to spend a bit more than $100 on a kilt and some of the accoutrements that will make it look like you are wearing a kilt in earnest: a nice belt, a sporran and some kilt socks (I just have to stop calling them "hose"). Thus the USAK or Bear or Stillwater kilts in waht are refered to as "universal" tartans fill a real need for the kilted kommunity. With some judicious shopping you can get going for reasonable...reading some of the posts on this forum will demonstrate that you can go for a good casual look and not break the bank or blow the wad on a full blown dress traditional look...nice thing about Xmarks is that information is shared generously and there aren't any real snobs about being dressed perfectly (refered to as kilt police or kilt nazis now and again) pontificating in this forum.

Go for it...it's well worth it to get kilted...lot's of fun and, as I say here often, just a damn sharp look.

Best

AA

[GMan]

WELCOME!

Glad that you found an interest in kilt wearing, simply great.

I will say that you have already been given some great information, so I will not repeat what has been said already.

[GlassMan]

I agree that there are some lower and mid-priced sellers who really fill a niche for our community by providing quality garments at affordable prices.

One thing to beware of though are some of the kilt-sellers on eBay. They are selling very low quality kilts at prices that, though low, are still more than the junk is worth.

Bear & Stillwater both carry very affordable kilts. If you can afford to move up a step in the price bracket you can also look at USA Kilts & Melville Kilts. I'm a real fan of Melville Kilts. He is a private kiltmaker in Scotland who makes an excellent kilt for the money. You can either contact directly to commission a kilt made to measure (more expensive) or by through his agent on eBay - Carse of Gowrie Kilts aka bauhauseboy - for an off-the-rack model.

[Robin]

Welcome!

[auld argonian]

... about being dressed perfectly (refered to as kilt police or kilt nazis now and again) pontificating...

It's been politely called to my attention by another member that by using the terms "kilt nazi" and "kilt police" I have offended them and may have inadvertently touched a few nerves among the members of the forum. In my effort to make a point I may have chosen a couple of terms that have more negative connotations than I had intended. I flat out apologize for the use of "kilt nazi"...as to "kilt police", I use the term in reference to someone who would bully or berate another for what they would perceive to be an infraction in kilt-etiquette instead of someone who would take a more constuctive approach in explaining and advising to the perceived offender what they might do in order to wear the kilt more appropriately. It has been my experience that particpants in these forums are members of the latter group and not the former. The point of my original post was that good advice and constructive criticism are par for the course in this forum.

If I have caused any offence, it was inadvertant and I apologize.

Best

AA