I agree, buy yourself a quality hand sewn kilt direct from a full time kiltmaker. You don't say where in the World you live - that could affect your choice of kilt weight, kiltmaker, and even tartan.

There are also tartans for "causes" you believe in - like the Artic and the Antarctic tartans, or the recovery tartan, or on the opposite side of the fence tartans for many whisky's. Drambuie has three lovely tartans.

One of the fun things about buying a new kilt is deciding on a tartan.

Check out Tartans By Air http://tartans.byair.net/

They don't have all the available tartans, but they do have many in addition to all the clan tartans. Great computer images of the tartans too.

Avoid "deals" unless you know and trust the kiltmaker. Remember, you can have any two of price, quality, and service.



When you pick one, talk to your selected kiltmaker. Most hand sewn kiltmakers work with the various mills on a regular basis and can tell you what your options are for kilt weight, and even types of a certain tartan...like weathered, ancient, etc.