Ordering From the Menu

[xman]

(one Black Watch and one Black Stewart).

Just as a point of order, as a MacDonald I'm no allowed to wear Stewart and certainly not Black Watch since it's a Campbell tartan. My brothers would never stop harassing me.

SWKs shipping times are also something of a legend here. If you order one today and it's in stock, it will have arrived yesterday.

Not to Canada I'm sure. Canada Post always takes a few weeks to process US orders at the border.

Only one note of caution: I fall into the particular body type SWKs are designed to fit as fluter mentioned earlier in the thread. If you don't fall into that category, your mileage may vary.

I'd need to lose 2" on those lengths which means finding a good kilt tailor.

[Old Hippie]

I've spent the last few days scouring the internet and this forum and am getting closer to purchasing my first kilt. yay!

Ah. Well, then, good on Lad.

I think you have a decent idea of how to proceed. I'm gathering that you're planning on the kilt-equivalent of the classic chino p*nts: Nice enough to pass in a setting where you want to be a notch above casual, yet sturdy enough for carrying trash out to the bin, or doing light chores, or maybe tossing a baseball with your son of an evening.

I'd say that you should stay away from wool for that purpose, unless you have a large budget for dry-cleaning. There are a lot of casual kilts out there. I'd personally go for something in a solid colour than in a tartan for that use. I have experience with the products of three kiltmakers: Utilikilts, Freedom Kilts, and Blaklader. Of the three, Freedom Kilts and UK are going to give you something good for what you want. Blaklader makes a rather quirky kilt that is excellent for heavy, dirty work but I wouldn't feel "dressed" wearing it to town on a Saturday.

I'll leave it to others to chime in about PV -- while it is machine washable you may have problems with snags on sharp objects. I don't know for sure; I'm on the cusp of ordering my first PV kilt. If you simply must have tartan it's a better choice for something that could be strenuously used than wool. In my mind, it's the difference between strolling in the open hills with your shepherd's crook and pipe with a whisky flask in your sporran, and chasing a 10-year-old madly through the brush in a game of Tag.

Because of my comments above about Blaklader, I would similarly advise you to stay away from kilts made from heavy canvas material like the UK Workman. You can be active in them and they're great kilts (I have one) but they're also heavier and stiffer. Again, great for the more strenuous end of the spectrum. I do wear mine to town, where the Blaklader gets doffed and tossed into the corner if I'm going off the place.

A good all-purpose kilt in solid colour won't satisfy you completely for every use, but you'll get the idea. The UK Mocker is intended to be an inexpensive kilt of that sort. I have one and can testify that it is most comfortable. Freedom Kilts offers the Casual Model which has some significant differences from the Mocker: different pleating style and a more traditional fit and look.

The one thing wool gives that you can't find in any other fabric is that a wool kilt flows when you walk, rather than swinging. Especially a really good wool like Merino. I started with a Mocker, bought a Workman, then got my Blaklader, then a wool Tartan Model from Freedom Kilts. What a difference!

Good luck in your search. Let us know how it comes out (and show pictures).

:ootd:

[MacBean]

I like Rocky of USAKilts and have a really nice formal kilt from him, but may be biased as I live in the same town.

My first kilt was a Burnett's and Struth casual (special sale on 65 tartans). Their casual kilts are 5 yarders, comfortable, and very economical. I bought it as I, like you, wanted to feel my way. I'm not sorry to have done that as the casual kilts are lot lighter than the full length, so it's nice to have the two.

I will say, take great pains to get the measurements right.

[NorCalPiper]

Hi-
Josh here. I recommend either my store or Rocky's. Stillwater wool kilts are GREAT for the money, but they have to fit you just right. I happen to have a big butt, so SWK kilts tend to look funny somewhat on me. I have seen some that look terrific on others!

PErsonally, I think you'd be happier with a PV kilt. The material is just fantastic, and you'll find yourself wearing it the most if you are an "out-and-abouter". If you want something for balls and occasions then a PV or a SWK will do.

[Riverkilt]

Since you ask....IT DON'T MATTER....because you're gonna be buying more anyway...pick one, give it a shot...then try another...and another...DIVE IN!

I've purchased kilts from AmeriKilt, SportKilt, Freedom Kilt, Utilikilt, RKilt, USA Kilts, Pittsburgh Kilts, Celtic Croft, and the finest hand sewn kiltmaker in the U.S. who's work you'll find in my gallery should you have an interest. Variety is the key.

Just as in your pre-kilt days you hung all different types of bifurcated garments from your waist, you're likely to build an assortment of kilts too. Doesn't matter where you start, you'll fill the rest in.

You'll learn who YOUR favorite kiltmakers are.

[xman]

Since you ask....IT DON'T MATTER....because you're gonna be buying more anyway...pick one, give it a shot...then try another...and another...DIVE IN!

Enabler.

[Zardoz]

I'd go with the PV, but in the more versatile USA Kilts Semi-trad style.

[xman]

I'd go with the PV, but in the more versatile USA Kilts Semi-trad style.

May I ask, why do you consider them "more versatile"? I mean, I am looking for something casual for more regular daily wear.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I think he means that a nicer kilt like the semi-trad will dress up nicely but still be machine washable and cheap enough for everyday wear.

A casual kilt is a casual kilt and will look a bit out of place if you need to dress it up. The top-stitching and wider shallower pleats makes it less versatile.

[Zardoz]

May I ask, why do you consider them "more versatile"? I mean, I am looking for something casual for more regular daily wear.

Well, it's been said that it's easier to dress down a nice kilt than dress up a basic one. I just think for the money involved, I like a kilt that I won't worry about daily wear or knocking about in, but could still clean up and wear out to a nice dinner.

I'll admit to a little bias toward USA Semi-trads, I own a few.

The USA Kilts casuals and semi-trads are both made to measure from the same washable PV material. The Casuals are a simple low yardage kilt made with a Velcro closure and no traditional details like buckles and straps and a fringed apron. The Semi-trad kilts have more yardage and pleats, buckle and strap closure and overall more 'traditional' looking styling. A semi-trad will wear and survive just as well at whatever rough and tumble stuff you'd get up to in the casual, but could also pass muster at times that you feel the need to dress a bit more 'authentically', like weddings, highland games, dinners, etc..