First Kilt Purchase Advice

[xdkeys]

I have been shopping around for kilts, unfortunately my family tartan is Angus. Which seems to be a custom order every place I have looked at which means higher price that I want to pay right now. I was thinking the first place I was going to wear my kilt was to lodge, therefore I was thinking of getting the Freemason kilt. There were also several Autry's who fought in the American Civil War, so I was thinking of also getting a Confederate Memorial kilt. One day as the budget increases I could go the whole 9 yards on an Angus. Is this a good approach, any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[Wompet]

Well, if it's going to be your only kilt for a while, choose the tartan that you think you would like to wear the most. Which tartan can you see yourself wearing over and over again? For where you're going to be wearing it (lodge, dinners, church, highland games, everyday, etc.), which will work the best?
Having said that - have you considered a four-yard box pleat, either self-made or made by M.A.C. Newsome? Half the yardage but everything you want from a kilt at a fraction of the cost of an eight-yard 'traditional.'

[KFCarter]

Having said that - have you considered a four-yard box pleat, either self-made or made by M.A.C. Newsome? Half the yardage but everything you want from a kilt at a fraction of the cost of an eight-yard 'traditional.'

That's a really great suggestion... and check with him about the availability of the Angus tartan... I think you'll find he'll have the most complete info about the time/cost issues of having it woven. Don't discard that idea yet.

[JolyStNicholas]

That's a really great suggestion... and check with him about the availability of the Angus tartan... I think you'll find he'll have the most complete info about the time/cost issues of having it woven. Don't discard that idea yet.

Good sound advice from both gentleman. There are several options open to you. Time and money always seem to be the BIGGEST!

[Kent Frazier]

Looking at the Scottish Tartans Authority web site, the Angus tartan is a District tartan.

If the above suggestions are still too expensive try Stillwater Kilts they are a good way to get started.

[piperdbh]

If you have your heart set on an Angus kilt, you might try contacting folks who live there and try to get an order together for several yards. That can split up the cost, and maybe bring the per-yard cost down a little. You can make some new friends that way, too.
It's a very nice tartan, by the way.

[thescot]

I would definitely investigate the Angus with Matt first since that's whay you really want. But you should also check out the Freemasonry tartan since it's pretty available and is, in my opinion, a very nice tartan.

And definitely opt for a tank, i.e., a full 8 yard, custom kilt, from one of the kiltmakers on this site. Rocky, Tweksberry, etc. make the best you can order. It'll outlast you and your children in all likelihood, and I just believe it's best to start out with a real, honest to goodness, full meal deal. You'll never regret owning a good custom kilt.

[macwilkin]

And definitely opt for a tank, i.e., a full 8 yard, custom kilt, from one of the kiltmakers on this site. Rocky, Tweksberry, etc. make the best you can order. It'll outlast you and your children in all likelihood, and I just believe it's best to start out with a real, honest to goodness, full meal deal. You'll never regret owning a good custom kilt.

Or one of Matt's 4-yrd. box-pleated kilts...

T.

[Bugbear]

Or one of Matt's 4-yrd. box-pleated kilts...

T.

That does cut down on the fabric costs.

[Dan R Porter]

http://www.scotlandshop.net/shop/code/455317/

Says 10oz pure wool. Its light weight but maybe you could find more on that site.