I'm out to purchase my first kilt.

[Macthenife]

Hello all,

Well I'm out to purchase my first kilt. I've been researching sites literally for years trying find the best place to make this purchase. This decision isn't one that I'm taking lightly. I plan to be married in this kilt as well as wear it to various other events. I've been looking for high quality with a good price. The wedding will be in the spring but I hope to get in a lot of wear of the kilt before then. I have a few questions that I hope this group will be able to help me with.

First of all the tartan that I want to go with is the modern Gunn tartan. Being a McWilliams, I believe this to be the best choice since the Gunn tartan is more accessible than the Mac William tartan is. I'm wanting to purchase an 8 yard kilt made with either 16 or 13 oz wool. I have also considered possibly going with poly viscose. I'm looking for a kilt that I can wear year around and hangs nicely. I will wear this on both formal occasions as well as casual. What does the group suggest would be the best material to use in this case?

I've found a couple of web sites that look like they have some pretty good prices. Scotweb and Heritage of Scotland. They both offer pretty good prices on their kilts as well as discounts on packages. Can anyone share any input or experiences with either of these companies or are there other suggestions about where I should look?

I know there are a lot of quality suppliers out there as well as a lot of choices to make. I just need some guidance on this important investment. Thank you all for your help in advance.

Shawn.

[McMurdo]

From Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I would say as this is going to be the kilt for your wedding I'd go for wool. A wool kilt will be able to be dressed up or down in formality easily. Take a look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread and the Style threads for some good examples.

[macwilkin]

First of all the tartan that I want to go with is the modern Gunn tartan. Being a McWilliams, I believe this to be the best choice since the Gunn tartan is more accessible than the Mac William tartan is.

Since I have quite a few Williamsons/MacWilliams in the family tree, let me offer a bit of personal experience: not all Williamsons in Scotland are affiliated with the Clan Gunn; the Mackays, Macleods and Macfarlanes also lists them as septs, although I would daresay that the majority of Williamsons in Scotland have no formal tie to a Highland clan. My Williamsons came from Fife, which was not part of "Gunn Country".

It may not matter to you, and that's more than fine with me -- wear what you want -- but I just wanted to point that out that the Gunns do not have a monpoly on the surname Williamson/MacWilliam.

In fact, you might want to consider the Flower of Scotland tartan, which was designed in honour of the late Roy Williamson, the Scottish folk singer.

Regards,

Todd

[The Wizard of BC]

Of the two sources you list I would go with Nick at ScotWeb first.
Nick is an advertiser here and also a member. You can speak to him directly.

However, I would first check with Rocky at USA Kilts. First, Being on this side of the Atlantic you will save on shipping and duties. Second, Rocky makes a great custom Kilt. Both his Wool Kilts and his P/V Semi-Trad would be a perfect fit to your stated requirements.





:ootd:

[ghostlight]

I prefer wool. I've owned two contemporary kilts in other materials previously. Wool feels better, moves better and looks nicer for formal wear in my opinion.

[KFCarter]

I'm very prejudiced towards wool and if I had to have one kilt, it would be an 8 yd tank in the best 16 oz. wool. There are many great makers from which to choose on both sides of the pond.

Having said that, I'd go nuts if I had to have one kilt. I wear the absolute heck out of my PV semi-trad from USAK and know I'll do the same with the PV XMarks Tartan kilt I have in the Wizard of BC's queue.
:ootd:

[lethearen]

Definitely go with good, heavy wool. Warm in winter, ventilated in summer, all around great material! I got mine (16 oz from House of Edgar) from Scotweb and couldn't be happier. Good prices, as long as you manage to avoid customs fees Be sure to click the link at top for your 10% discount, and choose Royal Mail (free) shipping if possible, and you should be good to go.

[george7]

Scotsweb is having lots of sales... I just ordered another tank today for $303 with free shipping

[JolyStNicholas]

My best will be my Seton Family Kilt in 13 oz.{I love in Florida, it's hot} in the best wool ScotWeb had to offer in that weave. The others are made of various
materials depending on the vendor.

[St. Amish]

I'd go with wool, in the heaviest weight you can afford. The 16 oz. is going to hold pleats much better than 13 oz.