Finally Ready to Make a Purchase!

**imbrius** · 28th January 19, 08:32 AM

I'm buying a 5-yarder from J. Higgins and I need some advice. I know the 100% be-all-end-all is to order swatches from both mills but those would take forever to get here and shipping might be expensive. I was mostly asking if anyone had any info in general about colors between HoE and Lochcarron.

I'm going for Armstrong (my clan). I like House of Edgar's Modern and Lochcarron's Ancient. I'm afraid, however, that the modern might be too dark but the ancient's blue might be a bit too close to its green. Does anyone have any advice on comparing apples to apples on these? Thanks!

**Karl R** · 28th January 19, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by imbrius

I know the 100% be-all-end-all is to order swatches from both mills but those would take forever to get here and shipping might be expensive.

There's a reason that everyone's going to recommend getting swatches. It's far less costly (both in terms of money and time) than buying a kilt that you end up disliking.

How long would it take you to get swatches? How much extra would it cost to get a rush order on the swatches? How much do the swatches cost?

Compare those to the cost of a kilt.

**Tobus** · 28th January 19, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by imbrius

I'm going for Armstrong (my clan). I like House of Edgar's Modern and Lochcarron's Ancient. I'm afraid, however, that the modern might be too dark but the ancient's blue might be a bit too close to its green.

The modern colours being too dark is a valid concern, IMHO. But as for Lochcarron's ancient colours, I don't think their green and blue are anywhere close to each other. Below is a closeup of my Lochcarron (Strome) kilt in Ancient Colquhoun. These would be the same blue and green they'd use on an Ancient Armstrong.

**imbrius** · 28th January 19, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

The modern colours being too dark is a valid concern, IMHO. But as for Lochcarron's ancient colours, I don't think their green and blue are anywhere close to each other. Below is a closeup of my Lochcarron (Strome) kilt in Ancient Colquhoun. These would be the same blue and green they'd use on an Ancient Armstrong.

Thank you! This is very helpful!

**The Wizard of BC** · 28th January 19, 10:17 AM

There are two things that I dislike about our digital world.

At one time every home had a phone book. If you wanted to look through swatch books you looked in the phone book for your local kiltmaker. Every town of any size had one, espcially if the town had a pipeband or even a solo piper who would play at funerals. It may have been a lady working out of her living room but she had swatch books.

The local kiltshops have also gone by the way side as the internet has consolidated things like kilshops with swatch books into a few large concerns with websites and global shipping.

Today we do not seek out our local kiltmaker. There used to be real kiltshops in Milwaukee. Madison had one as did Barraboo. There were at least two in Rockford, IL. Lake Geneva had one and there were a whole slew of them in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Maybe there still are? It may be a drive, but quicker than waiting for swatches to arrive via the mail.

I'll bet HOE or Locharron would be more than willing to tell you who in your local area the have shipped their fabric swatch books to.

**imbrius** · 29th January 19, 06:54 AM

John Higgins is willing to send me the two swatches free of charge since I'm 100% ordering a kilt from him. That's pretty awesome in my book!

**CollinMacD** · 29th January 19, 08:01 AM

I have never ordered or received a swatch of material, but have ordered directly from what I liked from the examples on line. NEVER have I been disappointed. For some reason I am very partial to Lochcarron material. Just saying, when ordering for me its trying to get the measurement correct and a good fit.

As far as they Ancient vs Modern, I am fortunate enough to being able to afford both, but I go the modern dress first, than the ancient second, and I hope many this year to get the weathered or muted. Just like to have a good variation of color shades, and style. For my more formal occasions I like to wear my modern dress, for more the more casual the ancient or muted. MacDonald Clanranald tartan varies quiet a bit between Ancient and Modern dress.... Probably does not help you directly, but just wanted to add my thoughts.

CHEERS.

**imbrius** · 20th February 19, 08:19 AM

Got my swatches!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z7mnnqb55b..._7121.JPG?dl=0

I'm leaning towards Ancient but... I like Modern too?

Also, I was planning on buying a 5-yard but I have the cash for an 8-yard right now. Worth it if I wear it a few times a year? 5 yard is USD250 and 8 yard is USD425.

**Tarheel** · 20th February 19, 09:58 AM

You asked a tough question on the 5 yard verses an 8 yard kilt. When you decide on the tartan (I like the modern in the swatches you posted) the next step is the pleating choice. A deep pleated 8 yard kilt should wear as no other piece of clothing you've ever owned. All our members will tell you this is "the ultimate choice". My 6 yard knife pleated kilt wears great, has substance, swings properly, gets worn more than my kick around 4 yard box pleat and has stood up to my natural over compensating physical behavior.

This will be between you and your kilt maker but I'll bet you won't make a bad decision with either kilt choice.

**Nomad** · 20th February 19, 12:02 PM

I agree with Tarheel, I have 3 kilts 2 are around 8 yard mark one 13 ounce and one 16. My favourite is a 6 yard heavyweight, it's got swish, but is also extremely comfortable to wear.