First Kilt

[Chas]

Hi Kane,

The kilt is the kilt, it goes from slob to uber-formal - same kilt. It is the accessories that make it casual or formal. If your heart is set on that tartan, so be it. You are going to Edinburgh University, people will ask what the tartan is and why a non-American is wearing it.

You could try:


Edinburgh University's official tartan

or


Designed for the City of Edinburgh Council, this sett is based on the Stewart Old clan tartan because of the City's kinship with the Stewarts. The colours are of the Arms of the City of Edinburgh, which feature a central silver shield showing a three towered castle with black stone work.

Why not get friends and family to chip in for the accessories. Your £400 will buy a 8 yard kilt in Edinburgh. You are going to be in a place where all the accessories will be cheaper - no postal charges. It might be an idea to wait till you get there.

Regards

Chas

[Kane]

That may have to be another option to look into, one way or another I can see this becoming quite an expensive venture and I may end up having to leave it until late summer when my budget is slightly more flexible. Just to expand my knowledge does anyone know if my idea of pleating to stripe in my orignal post is accurate? I don't want to have the wrong idea.

Kane

[raibeart_dubh]

That may have to be another option to look into, one way or another I can see this becoming quite an expensive venture and I may end up having to leave it until late summer when my budget is slightly more flexible. Just to expand my knowledge does anyone know if my idea of pleating to stripe in my orignal post is accurate? I don't want to have the wrong idea.

Kane

Ultimately, what stripe you want to pleat to is your decision. An experienced kiltmaker, though, can advise you on your choice. I'm sure one of our resident kiltmakers will chime in at some point but you may want to PM one of them with your idea. Matt, Barb, Steve, or Wally can give you some expert advice.

[KFCarter]

I did wonder about ebay but was always told that a kilt should always be measured to fit, also would an 8yard kilt be suitable for casual as well as formal wear?
http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co...ilt-p-862.html

IMHO, hold out a bit, build up your budget, beg, borrow or steal some help from friends and family and get yourself an 8 yd kilt. It can be dressed up, down and anywhere in between and it will, with basic care, last your lifetime. If you waited until you got to Edinburgh, you would have the choice of some great kiltmakers and you could work with them in person on your measurements, pleating choice, etc. This would also allow you some time to look at more tartans before committing to one for your first kilt.

I started with a 8 yd strome kilt and am very glad I did. I have branched out a bit now, for certain kids of uses... but my 8 yd kilt is the foundation of my kiltwear. It will be especially appropriate for the formal events you mentioned, but it will certainly work for other uses.

If you do choose to have a kilt made in Edinburgh, you could solicit recommendations from the folks on this site...I'm sure you'd get some great suggestions. I'm currently working with Stewart Rendall (http://www.rendallsofedinburgh.com/). I don't have the kilt yet, but his work was highly recommended and he's been great to work with.

Whatever you choose for your first kilt, you're going to love it... and, trust me, there'll be more kilts in your future!

:ootd:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There is no doubt about it-- an eight yard kilt will last a life time. Unfortunately it won't fit for the rest of your life-- at some point you will outgrow it. Beer tends to have that effect on the tummies of gentlemen (and students)! That being the case there is an argument to be made for buying a less expensive kilt. Unfortunately, I don't subscribe to that argument, even though I've a trunk full of kilts that haven't fit for at least 20 years!

I'd suggest that you buy a quality kilt-- a full 8 yards and 16 ounce weight if you can get the tartan you want in that weight. Where I would save money is in buying a used Argyll jacket (in black) with two matching waistcoats; one with 3 buttons the other with 5 buttons. You can wear the Argyll to black tie dinners, or to weddings in the daytime, simply by swapping out the waistcoat and tie. I'd buy a couple of pair of dark coloured hose-- avoid white as it will make your outfit look "rented". Shop around in thrift stores and you should be able to pick up a decent used leather sporran for under ten quid, and with luck you may even find a nice dress sporran. A friend in Leith recently bought a seal skin sporran for twenty quid in a jumble sale.

Moss Bros. is quite often a good place to pick up used (ex-rental) jackets and waistcoats, as are the small dress hire shops. You might find things slightly cheaper in England, so check the local prices at wedding hire shops like ProNuptia.

Good luck, and enjoy your time at the Uni.

[SteveB]

This is my American Heritage Semi-traditional from USA Kilts. it is pleated to the white stripe. The above is the kilt in a casual mode fore going to the pub.
You would really be better off saving up and waiting til closer to start time at school for the kilt. In the meantime, check out the kilt hire shops near you for when jackets and waistcoats are being taken off cycle. They can be had for reasonable prices. I did that a forty plus years ago, and found I could save 10 or 15 quid in London versus the same item in Glasgow.



Here is the same kilt attired for a formal event.
This dressing up or down can be accomplished with any quality kilt.

When checking out the various providers of kilts, you will need to take into account the exchequer. Duties and taxes can add up quick.

Slainte

[Phogfan86]

OK, am I missing something? At least on this side of the pond, you can find a very, very nice kilt for that kind of money.

[McMurdo]

Kane
An 8 yard 16 oz kilt can and will go from very formal to, White tie it all depends on the accessories you pair with it, take a look at this recent thread from Panache and myself. 1 kilt each both 8 yard 16 oz hand sewn kilts 10 different outfits.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/1...888/index.html

[Aldisimo]

Why not check out Marchbrae? They're well-made to your measurements, either 6- or 8-yards of wool, and affordable: a handmade 8-yarder is only £282 including VAT; a handmade 6-yarder only £199 including VAT. The stock kilts are even less. There's a wide range of tartans from which to select, including Isle of Skye, Black Watch, and other non-clan-affiliates.

[Kane]

Thankyou all for your help, sorry It took me so long I've been away in Edinburgh all weekend so haven't had internet access. I think I'm definately going to buy myself an 8yard American Heritage kilt, bobilishous on ebay has done me a quote of £170 for it so I'll probably get that as soon as I've saved it up.
Thanks again
Kane