Can't decide on first kilt...

[pig140]

I've been lurking around this forum for some time, searching, reading, learning and I figured what better way to say "hi" than to jump right in with a couple questions!

I've been trying to figure out which kilt to buy. The three I have narrowed it down to are Rocky's semi-traditional in PV, or a 5 yard PV from scottishkilts.net, or the 5 yard jura from scottishkilts.

Here are some details about me. I live in the southern US. I won't be wearing it daily (job requirements). Summer months see 100 degress F and winter lows hit the upper 20's. I'll be wearing it for our kilt nights and Celtic fairs. I would like to be able to wear it to our Scottish Society Banquet (traditional, but not completely formal - some guests wear pants, some kilts with casual shirts, and some full formal jackets). I don't want the look of a "sport kilt," but I will probly be wearing it to mostly casual events. I just like the look of the traditional. Obviously from my 3 choices, money is an issue. As far as appearance, I have a slim build if that matters.

And one last question, is a semi-dress sporran acceptable for daywear? It just seems more versatile and I like the way it looks.

Thanks very much in advance for checking out my long-winded problem!

[Tattoo Bradley]

First of all, I'll extend a welcome! This (as you know from lurking) is a great forum, with a great bunch of guys (and a couple of lassies.) To offer my my advice as to which of your three choices to go with, I would hands down say order the Semi-traditional from Rocky. He does great work (I have one of his casuals) AND he's on this side of the pond, so you have no chance of customs charging you out the wazoo. As for the "semi dress" sporran: do you mean the leather with fur front type? I personally kind of like those and see know problem with wearing them casually. Others will disagree with that. But, I also feel they could be versatile enough to go either way.

[pig140]

Yeah, I meant the semi-dress sporran with fur front, fur tassles, but with the top leather flap like a day sporran. I just like the way it looks and it seems like it would be more versatile for everything I want to do.

I was really leaning toward USA Kilts, but I like the idea of a five yard. It seems more traditional than the "sport, casual, 4 yard, etc." kilts, and its not as much $$.

And you're right about the forum. I was impressed to see that so many Kiltmakers are active, contributing members of this forum.

[Robin]

Welcome!

what I see and hear...the semi trads from USAK are awesome (summer) kilts.

About the sporran..I think a leather daywear sporran will see most action and it will go nicely with a tweed jacket also.

It's always nice to have something on your wish list

[Livingston]

Welcome to X Marks. I would suggest going with Rocky and the semi-formal (leather with fur front) sporran. You can wear that casual or semi-formal.

[chasem]

I would go with the semi-trad. I don't have one yet, but I'm looking to get one as soon as I can.

I have done other business with Rocky though, and can tell you that he and Kelly run a fantastic business and are great to work with.

[BluesDoxieGa]

I also recommend USA Kilts. I have one of their casual kilts and it wears great! And Rocky is a member here and will definately take great care of you.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Welcome! And from another southern inhabitant, I have to say: Get the USAK. It will serve you well for all your needs, especially in the south. I have 4 (1 semi-trad and 3 casuals), and since we moved back to FL (after a short hiatus in in Chicago), they are my preferred kilt. Just the right weight for the warmer climes, and the PV can not be beat for non-wrinkling! And read some more reviews, the amount of material is determined by many factors, and none of them is the kiltmakers desire to make a kilt with a particular amount of material. The number of yards is determined by the repeat of the pattern, the size of the hips, the pleating option (sett or stripe), the pleating construction (knife, box, kinguisse), and the depth of the pleats. Of those, the only one that a kiltmaker can really control is the depth of the pleats. So they can make them deeper, and thereby take up more material, but even so, a 5 yard kilt for somebody with 34" hips may only have 4.5 yards of material, and a so called 4 yard kilt of the same material and tartan for someone with 44" hips may contain almost 5 yards.

[billmcc]

I have a Casual (pv) kilt from USA Kilts and a 5-yard (heavyweight wool) kilt from scottishkilts.net. The lighter weight Casual is much more pleasant to wear here in Florida for much of the year. Furthermore, pleating is definitely more precise on the USAK.

I suggest buying a pv kilt from Rocky first and getting a heavyweight wool kilt later.

[sorcererdale]

Welcome. You know you are going to get another kilt anyway, so just decide which one you want first!

DALE.