Can you help a beginner?

**ncof300d** · 28th June 08, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jerick

Alright so I am new around here and am not a member of the kilted community (yet). See the thing is that I have always loved kilts, but do not own any because I can't find any within my price range. I currently work for minimal wage and am lucky to get $100 a week in paychecks. So as you can see, my budget isn't too great. So I was wondering (and I have looked around) if anyone knew of either a good place that sells contemporary kilts at a reasonable price in northern Ohio or knew of a site that sold at a reasonable price and won't send me back too much.

Say, what part of northern Ohio are you located? I am in the very northwest corner.

**Kid Cossack** · 28th June 08, 06:11 PM

For a starter kilt, I don't think you can go wrong with . . . Stillwater Kilts. If it's listed on the website, it's in stock, and will ship really ridiculously quickly.

The Thrifties aren't bad, and I've got one, but I think it's better as a second, beater kilt. The Stillwater Standard will be a very dang decent simulacrum of a tank---it will be seven or eight yards, with buckles and straps of leather, with a lining, and decent pleating. The acrylic is easy care.

There are definite shortcuts in quality between a SWK and a tank---just as there are between, say, a Corvette and a Maybach (or whatever super hot super custom sports car you care to name). Sizing is off the rack, length is set at 24", there is the dread "pillow butt" issue. None of those are reasons not to buy a SWK.

In my opinion, the SWK standard is THE way to find out if you really like this whole kilt business.

**ardchoille** · 28th June 08, 06:26 PM

Aye, as others have stated, Stillwater Kilts are great. I own two SWK Standard kilts and they are great kilts for the money.

**Ozman1944** · 28th June 08, 07:07 PM

Stillwater is great, also there is Frugal Corner. The majority of my kilts are either Stillwater or Frugal Corner.

Stillwater "Irish National" Thrifty.

Frugal Corner "Clergy/Clark"
And welcome to the Rabble from North Hollywood California.

**SteveB** · 28th June 08, 08:07 PM

Hello

and a warm Celtic

from Boston, Massachusetts.
As the rest of the posts have said, Stillwater kilts. I own a thrifty and a standard, and I highly recommend the Standard if you can swing it. Should your size be in stock, be prepared for the post to be at your door about ten seconds after you click the "submit" button on Jerry's website. The service is that fast. Also look at USA Kilts Casual Kilt line, and Sport Kilt. You will see all of them on this board, they are here for a good reason in that they are great in customer service. I understand the budget thing. It might just be worthwhile to put the pennies aside for another week or two to get the kilt in a tartan, or self colour that you want. Take your time. The sporran, belt, sgian dubh, and other accessories can come at a later time.
If you are at all handy with a needle and thread, Alan H's X-kilt is well worth the try. I have made one out of heavy denim that was on mark down at Jo-Ann Fabrics for $2.00 a yard @ 60" width.
BTW my avatar is an SWK Irish National with matching tartan flashes. I am tall enough that the 24" kilt length works well for me.

**SteveB** · 28th June 08, 08:09 PM

Mael Coluim,
I love that tire cover on your car. Well trained.
Steve

**TheKiltedCoder** · 28th June 08, 08:29 PM

Well, I can tell you that, of the 8 kilts I own, 5 are Stillwater Kilts (2 standards and 3 economy). The others are 2 Amerikilts and a homemade XKilt. You won't be able to make a kilt for yourself for the same price that Jerry will be able to make one for you. Granted, for me, the off-the-shelf 24" length was NOT okay, and I had to do some hemming. If you're not up to doing the hemming yourself, you can have it done at pretty much any dry-cleaner for around $12-$15 or so.

Jerry says that his Economy and Thrifty lines are really good for folks that want to see if wearing a kilt is for them, and I believe he's right. They're nice enough to wear to anyplace that you'd wear a nice set of jeans, and they cost about the same. Anyplace else you go, you're going to be in the low $100 range for a roughly equivalent kilt.

Jerry's customer service is also excellent, and I've routinely had stuff show up before I'd expected it.

And

Be warned: you won't be able to stop with just one.

**Jerick** · 29th June 08, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by ncof300d

Say, what part of northern Ohio are you located? I am in the very northwest corner.

I am in the middle just south of Cleveland.

[To everyone else]
Thank you so much for your assistance. I had looked at that site and was curious to see if the quality was good for the prices were... surprising for me. Thank you for reviews and pics of the kilts. I will probably purchase my first kilt from here and go from there.
I liked the idea of making my own kilt except for the fact that I can't sew.

But maybe one day I will give it a go.

**Jerry** · 30th June 08, 04:33 AM

I'll second trying an Xkilt. Stillwater has mostly tartan kilts, but they do make a solid black, which is slightly more contemporary looking than the tartan models. You might try Ebay, , or check out Utilikilts for their scratch and dent sales.

**Makeitstop** · 1st July 08, 02:05 AM

Stillwater is probably the most affordable kilt around. I own three, and they are definitely good kilts (if you get thrifties, be sure to get a belt and pin, as the velcro won't hold up that long, and even 2 oz. of metal can make all the difference when the wind picks up). However, if you want a contemporary, there are other options.

First, I should mention that Utilikilts is having a sale on corduroy kilts which start at around $80. That's about as cheap as it gets for a decent contemporary to the best of my knowledge.

Next up is sportkilt, though you really have to know what you are getting into, as they are very different from other kilts. Depending on your size and what model and options you choose, they can be fairly affordable or outrageously expensive.

After that, the next cheapest option I know of is alt.kilt which will make a custom kilt however you want it. I haven't ordered anything from there yet, but I have looked into it quite a bit and may do so myself once I have some spending money.

There is also alphakilts, which is moderately priced. I have one of theirs, and it is by far my best kilt.

And if you can get your hands on the sewing gear, and have the time, you really can make an x-kilt. I'm in the middle of one (sadly on hold until I have time to finish it) and I had to teach myself everything about sewing. Believe me, it can be done.