School student considering his first kilt.

[KiltShot]

If you want a contemporary kilt, both Amerikilts and Flamingo Kilts are killer products at great prices.

You may have just changed my mind on my second kilt!

[ChubRock]

Yes, good advice to check with the principal. He/she has likely been dealing with issues of cross dressing within groups of students and sadly, the un-informed put kilts in this group. I am a HS teacher in Minnesota and I mainly only wear kilts to school in the summer to not cause distractions.

I think if you are wearing the kilt in formal settings that is one thing, but a casual kilt might need to have approval first, unless you wish to have a principal, a coach and likely your track team against you.

It is better to ask for permission than forgiveness in this case.

My two pennies.

[bricelythgoe]

Congrats on wanting to wear the kilt! Coming from a school teacher, I wish I taught more students like you.

As far as your kilt dilemma, not sure what to tell you. For sports, I think a Sportkilt would work better. Good Luck!

Brice

[SteveB]

I have in my kilt kollection both a casual USAK and a Sport Kilt.

I run even though not as fast as you. I am 60 and have been running since junior high school. Mostly the 10 kilometer sprint, with a few 26 mile runs.

For running, I prefer the Sport Kilt, it has an elastic in the waist that allows it to move easier than the USAK casual. The Sport Kilt pills easier, does not have the weight or swish of the USAK. The Sport Kilt is off the peg, and as such is a fixed fit that may not be for you. I am 6'1", and can wear the kilt at the 24" standard length with the hem above the knees enough to not hinder my running.

The USAK casual is a the kilt for walking around campus. It is first of all made to measure. it will fit your figure perfectly and move well with you. The fabric is wash and wear, the pleats are permanent press. The USAK will deliver the swish and sway that will turn the lasses heads. For running have the kilt made so the hem is one to two finger widths above the knee. If you are of lean build the USAK will work for running quite well, if you are of medium build, be sure to wear the shirt tucked in, as it will make the kilt not chafe your moves.

Many decades ago, I wore my kilt to class, but as it was a wool tank, it did not do well for running. I would think that it would be advisable to get your first kilt for around campus (The USAK casual) and save up for the Sport Kilt for running in later. I would not think that wearing the kilt that you just ran a few miles in would be appreciated by your fellow students after track practice.

Enjoy being kilted. A sporran for the school necessities, will make the outfit more presentable as kilting, than wearing the kilt without the sporran. It will help you present the perception of being kilted and not being in a wrap around skirt. This is to keep the admins and the bullies at bay.
I had the good fortune to have at the school a history teacher that was quite proud of his Scot heritage ( Mr. MacDoughall ), that upon hearing of a kilted student, found me and supported my kilt wearing to the administration. I never had him as my instructor, but he was very helpful in explaining to some of my fellow students the valuable contributions of the Scots to our American way of life.

Now from a long time kiltie from Boston, Massachusetts.

Slainte

[Nighthawk]

You may have just changed my mind on my second kilt!

Here are some links:

http://www.flamingokilts.biz/

http://www.amerikilt.com/

I should have posted these in the first place! Both will make you kilts from almost any material you want. All you have to do is email and ask them. The one problem with the Amerikilt is that the material is stiff and requires periodic ironing. I actually find that if I throw mine into the dry for 5 minutes with a soaking wet washcloth and steam it, the wrinkles fall out fairly well. But they are actually really easy to iron, which is nice. My Flamingo Kilts, on the other hand, have required absolutely no maintainance, other than washing after I spilled my wife's home made bean dip in my lap yesterday after the Buckeyes scored a touchdown and sealed the Rose Bowl victory. (Yes, I'm an Ohio State University fan- if you couldn't tell. GO BUCKS!!)

[Jaggy thistle]

Please wear a tartan kilt and a sporran you will get less hassle as it will not look like a skirt !!

[Raphael]

I am not sure what websites that you have visited, but Utilikilts are not disgraceful. In fact, it inspired Steve, the forum owner and owner of Freedom Kilts, to get into the business. Utilikilts are one of the orginal modern kilt makers in the market.

[joecool]

Welcome! I don't own a USA Kilt, so I can't comment on those, but I do own a Utilikilt. I think that may work a little better for your purposes because you won't have to worry about wearing a sporran. If you opt for a Utilikilt, then I would go for a used one. On the other hand, Rocky is awesome, I have done business with him before, and he ships super fast! Good luck, let us know what you decide!

[dutchy kilted]

Greetings from the Pennsylvania Dutch County! I would like to put in a plug for another Pennsylvania product, Amerikilts. Very inexpensive as far as kilts go - about $100, with a detachable sporran - great for a cell phone, etc. and a back pocket for your wallet. They are lighter weight than a USAK but might serve you well, and still they look like a kilt. I have two that I wear in the Summertime and around the house. They are both about 8 years old but have held up very well and VERY easy to care for. You can always upgrade to an USAK or UK down the road once you realize that you love living kilted.

[longhuntr74]

Well...tons of good advice already given here...not sure if I can add much, but I'll try.

I don't own a USAK, but Rocky and Kelly are highly recommended on this forum, so I would not hesitate for a moment to buy from them. As you've already noted, though....pockets (with the exception of the apron option noted above) really are not provided.

I DO own a Sportkilt Commando Kilt (the kind with cargo pockets) in Army digital Camo pattern (ACU)...it's ok...but I generally feel I spent too much on it and would never buy another one...there aren't enough pleats, the pleats aren't deep enough, the aprons are two narrow and constantly require adjustment when I stand up, the hip/waist proportions don't quite fit me right, etc. The standard base model with sewn pleats might be ok as a kilt for running...but that's all that I would buy and wear another one for. I guess you could say I'm a bit like Nighthawk in this regard....not a fan. The pockets are good and their service was great...figured I should throw that in there so that I'm not totally negative about it.

If I were to buy another kilt with pockets...something that is built like a traditional kilt...I'd go to Steve at Freedom Kilts...or make it myself.

If you decide on a USAK Casual style kilt in PV...or something of that genre...I'd encourage you also to consider Skye Highland Outfitters as well. They offer similar products at good prices and my transaction with Josh (NORCALPIPER) was superb.

My final thought is one that has not been said yet, but many have alluded to: I don't believe that there is such a thing as an all purpose kilt....just as there aren't really all purpose clothes. You wear different clothes to go run cross country then you wear to school right? There's a reason for that. Some clothes are either more appropriate (socially) or better suited (functionally) for athletic wear or social wear or work wear, etc. I'd say that you probably want to decide what's more important to you first....do you want to test the waters on your track/cross country (sorry, couldn't remember which you said) team first or do you want a garment to wear at school first? That would then direct you as to what you are looking for in a kilt (pockets vs. traditional tartan vs. athletic).