Scruffy Semitrad Gets A+ From This Guy

**Whidbey78** · 29th September 12, 10:56 PM

I've had my Scruffy Wallace Semi-trad for a while now, and am finally getting around to posting some pics. Given the time that's passed, you would think they would be better. I had a few others, but the colors don't look right on my screen. The colors are fantastic, but seem a bit off in photos. My wife used to teach photography, so maybe I should have her take some good ones instead of tossing her a camera and having her snap pics in a rush.

All in all, this kilt has actually surpassed my USAK American Heritage kilt as my favorite, but may get bumped to number two when I get my US Navy Semi-trad.

These pics were snapped right before we left for a barbecue at the park with some friends. I wanted some “action shots” but forgot the camera, my phone, etc in the rush to get the kids out the door. I actually left the house with an empty sporran.

The puckering in the apron behind the sporran is from me neglecting to straighten it after tying my shoes, not from any problem with the fit. The fabric still has a bit of a stiff hand for my tastes, but it will loosen up eventually.

Decent pic of the pleats. It's not exactly sitting perfectly, but that's also from me rushing to get the pics before we left and not adjusting everything. By the time we were out the door everything was shipshape and bristol fashion.

Another pleat shot. (I'm not really that tall, it's just a little kids' chair.)

One of these days I'll get better pics. This whole outfit is a bit too matchy-matchy for me, but I threw it together from what was clean and didn't have to be dug out from the bottom of the chest. In a way it reminds me of a tropical uniform but with a very relaxed vibe. It's basically my version of Panache's #2 pic in this thread. The shirt is from Converse oddly enough, bought off a Target clearance rack a few months ago. The hose are Hamilton Dry Goods in “natural” that I died khaki (after dying them a shade of blue that I wound up hating—not all the dye got removed, so they have a slightly olive color to them now, but for $8 I can't complain). It might be close to the MoD hose issued in India, but I'd have to get a pair to compare them. The sporran strap is one I made, and thought I had it just the right length so I wouldn't need any buckles or adjustments, but after wearing it a few times it's proven to be a tad long. A bit of adjustability can't hurt anyhow. The Sgian Dubh is actually a Sgian Brew of my own making. Hey, I was going to a barbecue, remember. I'm glad I had it too...since I also forgot my Swiss Army knife.

The Sporran, which has replaced my trusty old BK as my "go to" daily sporran, is from Robert Pel at R Kilts and is the second one he's made in this style, and may be the only one in this specific leather. I've been meaning to do a writeup on that too. I'm digging it, and the price was so good it may be considered a crime in some places!

Kudos to Mac. He did an awesome job making this kilt (and all my other ones as well). If you're ever in this neck of the woods I'll take you out for a steak and a beer! Also, a tip of the flatcap to Rocky and Scruffy for designing one heck of a nice tartan. With four USAKs in the closet, one on order and a wish list as long as my arm, I'm a USAK loyalist now!

**Clockwork** · 30th September 12, 04:50 AM

Man, that tartan looks fantastic. I personally think the kilt looks just fine in all of the pictures. Just another one to add to my growing list of desired kilts

Thanks for the post!

Cheers,
-Jake

**Cecil** · 30th September 12, 05:04 AM

Well I think that is a good look. Did ya make your hose ties too?

**Leoghan** · 30th September 12, 05:08 AM

iv had my Scruffy for about a week now, and NEED to get picts,lol, it is truly a great tartan that no picts seems to do justice. all the picts look great , but when you get it in person there is just something about it that picts cant show.

**frank_a** · 30th September 12, 05:17 AM

Ya gotta love these semi trads the folks at USA Kilts do. I sure like mine! Once we get a wee bit ahead, I want another one...

Frank

**Richrail** · 30th September 12, 08:55 AM

I saving for a semi-trad in County Fermanagh.

**McElmurry** · 30th September 12, 09:01 AM

Good look and proof positive a belt is not required.

**Whidbey78** · 30th September 12, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Cecil

Well I think that is a good look. Did ya make your hose ties too?

I made those on the inkle loom about a year ago. That's a handy doodad to have around, but it can also lead to having way too many choices for garter ties and other kit.

**Whidbey78** · 30th September 12, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Leoghan

iv had my Scruffy for about a week now, and NEED to get picts,lol, it is truly a great tartan that no picts seems to do justice. all the picts look great , but when you get it in person there is just something about it that picts cant show.

It seems that no matter what I do, the white stripes always look yellow in photos. The detail and sharpness of the tartan get washed out too and it looks like it fades from green to blue and back again. Maybe I'll have my wife tweak the pictures with GIMP and repost them. She has a good eye for this stuff.

**Whidbey78** · 30th September 12, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by McElmurry

Good look and proof positive a belt is not required.

If a kilt fits well a belt is just decoration. Anything from USAK will fit well, provided you take your measurements correctly.

Normally I would wear a belt, but chose to skip it this time. I don't need it to keep the kilt up, but I like the look. It breaks things up a bit and adds a little balance, but that's just me. I'm also not built in exactly standard proportions, so I wear mine a few inches low. My arms are a couple of inches longer than standard, and at my natural waste it looks like the kilt is in my armpits. I actually wear it at the bottom of my navel. Seems to work, but a belt helps it look right IMHO.