Scotland Forever's Adventures in Kilt Buying (Advice Wanted)

**Paul** · 18th February 10, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

I am currently having a kilt made for me. It is hand stitched in 'regimental' weight RAF tartan and with a fly plaid and shipping comes to £350 ($546).

I see no advantage in paying a penny more than that.

I am getting a personal service and regular updates as to progress. I was even sent 2 swatches of the cloth so I could match accessories.

Regards

Chas

Chas, I fully agree. If you are paying for a regularly-woven tartan and it's being hard-sewn, you'll know that the price is right. My most expensive kilt was £350, and that's the most I'd pay - unless I had to get a special run of tartan woven. In this case I paid slightly more for the tartan, but it's an amazing quality kilt and I've seen plenty of other hand-sewn kilts that equal it, but I don't think paying an extra £200-250 would serve any purpose quality-wise.

I requested a swatch of tartan to have tartan hose made, that was no problem - they gave me a fair bit. I was on the last 8-9yards of the piece of tartan so they gave me the excess cut-off as a tartan sash for my girlfriend for free

Now that's what I call service!

**Scotland Forever** · 22nd February 10, 03:29 AM

I wrote to Mackenzie Frain for a quote for a full outfit, and received a response from an '@house-of-tartan.co.uk' email address.

Does anyone know if it's one and the same company? Color me confused

**MacLowlife** · 2nd March 10, 08:04 PM

SF, I am sure you will look great. I'd like to vote for diced or argyle hose- you can get them made up if by some chance your color scheme isn't available off the rack.

What I'd like to emphasize, though, is that your outfit means little compared to the patience you are going to have to come up with- and the patience you are going to require of your lovely bride. Do, please, make a priority of taking very good care of her during all of the wedding planning craziness. THE HAPPIER AND CALMER SHE IS, THE HAPPIER YOU WILL BE...

Good Luck and Congratulations

**Scotland Forever** · 4th March 10, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

SF, I am sure you will look great. I'd like to vote for diced or argyle hose- you can get them made up if by some chance your color scheme isn't available off the rack.

What I'd like to emphasize, though, is that your outfit means little compared to the patience you are going to have to come up with- and the patience you are going to require of your lovely bride. Do, please, make a priority of taking very good care of her during all of the wedding planning craziness. THE HAPPIER AND CALMER SHE IS, THE HAPPIER YOU WILL BE...

Good Luck and Congratulations

Mac,

I'm definitely open to either of those options for hose. Patience with my fiancée is pretty easy... she's a calming force in my life. We got started really early with the planning (last June) and the invites were sent out on Tuesday.

I've made it a point to help out in every way I can. I will take your advice about her happiness equaling my own during the run up to the big day. Thank you for that

**Scotland Forever** · 28th March 10, 10:59 PM

So I'm taking Mac's advice and looking into dice or argyll hose. I'm looking at buying a pair from Skye Highland Outfitters: http://www.skyehighlandoutfitters.co...Kilt_Hose.html

I'm not sure what would look best with the Black Stewart Kilt and Black jacket.
Diced or Argyll in 4 or 6 colours? Advice anyone?

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 29th March 10, 04:50 AM

I prefer the look of standard 4 colour argyle. Red and black background with yellow and white stripes would be really nice

**Eric Schutte** · 29th March 10, 07:24 PM

Hi SF,

I just purchased a 16 oz, hand sewn MacLean of Duart, custom tailored to ME. It was delivered to my door in 4 weeks, with shipping included for 505.00 US!! If you decide to give them a look, I would recommend you speak to Jo Brown. He did right by me......just something to mull around.

Best regards,

Eric Schutte

**Scotland Forever** · 30th March 10, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by Hothir Ethelnor

I prefer the look of standard 4 colour argyle. Red and black background with yellow and white stripes would be really nice

I think your idea makes sense - back to basics.

Originally Posted by Eric Schutte

Hi SF,

I just purchased a 16 oz, hand sewn MacLean of Duart, custom tailored to ME. It was delivered to my door in 4 weeks, with shipping included for 505.00 US!! If you decide to give them a look, I would recommend you speak to Jo Brown. He did right by me......just something to mull around.

Best regards,

Eric Schutte

Thanks for the recommendation! I've already ordered my outfit though

**Scotland Forever** · 21st April 10, 12:18 PM

My outfit was completed and shipped yesterday (Tue 4/20) by DHL.
Thankfully, the airspace restrictions over the UK have been lifted, so here's to hoping the package arrives in a timely manner.

Next hurdle: Customs... ugh.

I'll definitley get pics of the whole outfit up and make a review thread for those curious about the Mackenzie Frain way of doing things.

**Scotland Forever** · 22nd April 10, 05:27 PM

Ok, I'm a little surprised to be saying this so soon: My whole kilt outfit was delivered today!
Two days from Edinburgh to just south of DC.

My fiancee was begging to see it, but just like her dress, she doesn't get to see it until The Day.
I had to scoot off to work, so I'll post pics later tonight and a full review thread.

Thanks everyone for the advice and support over the last few months

I can't wait to get the professional wedding pics back already