Well as far as budget kilts go. PV is king as it is very like wool and makes an excellent kilt for warmer climates.

USAkilts and Skye Highland Outfitters (both forum sponsors) offer a casual kilt that costs around $100.

A quick jump up to an 8 yarder in PV will give you a kilt that can be worn in any circumstances from casual to white tie. The jump in prices takes it up to $200-$250.

Then there's wool the quintessential kilt material woven in Scotland and pretty pricey. You can however get any tartan you want. If you want a budget wool kilt look no further than Stillwater kilts (also a forum sponsor.) They have heavy weight wool kilts at very good prices. http://www.stillwaterkilts.com/heavyweightkilts.html (I just checked the site and it looks as if their page is showing only Saffron and Green kilts. you could give them a call to make sure they still stock the other kinds.)

After the kilt(s) you will need some hose. Here are some good options when starting out.

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/hose_glenmore.htm

http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...uct_detail&p=4

You can wear whatever shirts you normally wear and the same goes for most shoes as well.

A sporran would be helpful and you can browse our forum sponsors for those. You will find anything from the best handcrafted stuff to the budget stuff that will do.

I have survived 6 months of kilting without any flashes, or a proper kilt belt and I rarely wear a kilt pin. Don't get too obsessed over details and remember half the fun is doing the legwork for yourself and shopping around for just the right stuff to get you going.