Your Thoughts of the following - X Marks the Scot

MrShoe · #1 01-09-2010, 06:11 PM

I was hoping to find answers to my question in the FAQ section, but it is blank.
So, here it goes.

I am in the market for my first kilt. I promised my buddy when he came back from Afghanistan we would go out St Patrick's day together...kilted.

In addition, I will be walking with my family as we join our Dad as he will Grand Marshal our St. Patrick's day parade.

I know what I want to buy, but that will have to wait till I have the proper funds. So.... I have to buy my second kilt first...or is it my first kilt second...or is it...well what ever. Saffron PV is my desire just like Stilletto-Rebel's. I am scraping enough together to set myself the best inexpensive outfit I can.

My research has led me to the following sellers and I'm looking for opinions

Tartanista -Ebay provider that I am sure I would not be happy w/quality
KiltMart.co - who is temporarily out of commission for a month.
Scotishkilt.net
The Scotland Kilt Co.
Heritage of Scotland
Still Water Kilt

Those in red only have the Heritage of Ireland as an option for me as does SWK. But SWK does have the saffron.

I want to wear my outfit the right way to. What should I look for to be proper in a parade as well as at the pub later in the evening?

Thank you in advance for all you assistance.

Ozark Ridge Rider · #2 01-09-2010, 10:15 PM

I only have experience with Stillwater but it is 110% positive. Even though I have wool kilts now, the Acrylic still looks great and I like it, for what it is. I realize it probably won't last as long and look as good as a higher priced one after awhile, but it's been good to me. Jerry's service is great.

peacekeeper83 · #3 01-09-2010, 10:25 PM

Why not a USACasual kilt in the Irish National or the Tara? I have a Tara casual and really like it.. And it's affordable, pv, and made to measure. I also think the SWK Heavyweight is a good choice.. and they come in both Saffron and Solid Green.. At about $120.00 plus shipping.. A very good deal.

Fit2BKilted · #4 01-09-2010, 10:30 PM

I am very happy with my Stillwater heavyweight (real wool & a great bargain for the price!) that is also available in Saffron... A word to the wise, however, if you're between sizes, choose the smaller of the two, since Jerry's kilts are sized by the "smallest" girth they will accomodate (they will expand 2-3" but can be set no smaller). The quality (for the price), shipping and service you'll receive from Jerry is beyond reproach.

Participating in a parade would probably rate a dress-sporran, hose, flashes/garter-ties, and a jacket IMHO... You should be able to rent those if you're near any major metropolitan area, though... or the whole outfit for that matter; but, I expect that owning the kilt will be preferable (and regrettable if you don't ;-)

Kilt on!

RB51 · #5 01-09-2010, 10:36 PM

You can't go wrong with a kilt from SWK, I found the prices and service to be outstanding. I've also had good service form HoS, but admittedly haven't bought a kilt from them. As others will no doubt advise, buy the best in the way of accessories that you can afford; you won't be sorry in the long run. Enjoy the experience being kilted in the parade, and welcome to the rabble.

Laurie

Nighthawk · #6 01-09-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB51

You can't go wrong with a kilt from SWK, I found the prices and service to be outstanding. I've also had good service form HoS, but admittedly haven't bought a kilt from them. As others will no doubt advise, buy the best in the way of accessories that you can afford; you won't be sorry in the long run. Enjoy the experience being kilted in the parade, and welcome to the rabble.

Laurie

What he said!

On the other hand... as much as I like my Stillwaters, USA Kilts is much better. They offer saffron in their semicasual range. If you like in a reletively warm climate, I would advise a USA Kilts semitrad. If you, like me, live in a mountain climate, then wool is the best way to go, and Stillwater will fill the bill just fine. I was in Denver's Tartan Day festival last year, and it was cold! There was no way my USA Kilt would have kept me warm. So it comes the very simple question- what's the weather likely to be?

McMurdo · #7 01-09-2010, 11:17 PM

OK
I'd say that as far as an outfit goes go for the highest quality kilt you can afford. I know it may be a stretch but if you can go for wool, it looks better and lasts longer than the alternatives. I'd recommend the following if you can swing it. Wool from Burnett's and Struth casual kilt sale, Irish tartans:
http://www.burnetts-struth.com/produ...oducts_id=1222

http://www.burnetts-struth.com/produ...oducts_id=1052
Cost: $199.00

Much of what you wear with the kilt you may already have, dress shoes a shirt etc.

Next comes the sporran I'd say for a starter you could do worse than a sporran from Stillwater kilts
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...ther%20Sporran
Cost: $14.95

After that hose would be a consideration for a good pair of inexpensive hose I recommend WBrewin
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bottle-Green-KIL...item35a602836b
Cost: $6.37

So for a total of

$220.32

you could have the makings of a wonderful kilt outfit, Sgian Dubhs, garter ties, and bonnets can all come later if you so wish. I hope this helps. You might want to look through the 1 kilt 10 looks thread here it shows how versitile the kilt can be.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/1...888/index.html

MrShoe · #8 01-10-2010, 12:51 AM

Thanks for the input so far guys. I truly appreciate it.

As far as SWK goes the standard @70 and the Heavy Weight wool @122
Is the PV that bad? With that price difference I lean more toward the standard, but I do like the shadow tartan. Wish I had stumbled into the deal on the stained ones in November!! It is not typical of my nature to cut corner and doing so pains me. But right now I can't really afford this "Luxury". I would wait, but I made a promise to my buddy and if he can put his life on the line in Afghanistan the least I can do is follow his request and fulfill my promise.

McMuro - Unfortunately at this point that is probably be out of of my range, but I will see. I plan to have a proper kilt made later in Ulster District Weathered. It is believed to have been worn by the O'Kanes from which I descend. I prefer to have the saffron, but 2nd choice is the Irish Heritage/Irish National

Peacekeeper - I have nothing against USA Kilt, they were just priced a little higher than the other. Plus I was hoping to be out the door less that $200 which would not get me free shipping either.

Fit2Bkilted - Thanks for the input on parade attire. It is a rather small one, just our 6th year. If the AOH do not make it this year I would probably be the only one in kilt. I don't want to ignore any protocol that there might be for parade attire. where should I be in the 1 kilt 10 looks scale?

Mr. MacDougall · #9 01-10-2010, 12:56 AM

Of the choices you present, I'd say grab the Heavyweight Stillwater Safron. Jerry's service can not be beat. We used to joke that he had a time machine, and shipped before you even knew you'd ordered.

Paul · #10 01-10-2010, 05:45 AM

If you're buying a PV kilt I'd recommend going with SWK as they actually make their own PV kilts.
The rest of the companies on your list buy them from Pakistani companies in bulk. However, I would recommend a deal that Scottishtartanstore have on at the moment. They'll make you a 5yard WOOL Irish kilt (with a choice of tartans with Irish connections) for only £120:
AND THEY DO HAVE SAFFRON AND A NICE IRISH GREEN AVAILABLE!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IRISH-KILTS-5-...item3a5677f12c

P.S. I've been in both Scotland Kilt Company and Scottish Tartan Store's stock rooms to pick up some things and I can confirm that the majority of the stuff you order from Scottish Tartan Store will be Scottish-made and higher quality. Scottish Kilt Company's storeroom is just boxes full of imported goods. As far as I know the only Scottish thing that they stock is their white shirts.