How and why did you get your first kilt?

[lschwartz]

I don't know if I am a common example or a very different one, but my first kilt was a matter of necessity.

My wife and I, plus our best friends were at a Celtic Festival outside of Annapolis, MD a few years ago. It was a clear, bright, and hot day in the Spring. So, I in my infinite wisdom was wearing a black polo shirt and blue jeans. By midday I was not only hot, I was sweltering. My wife suggested that I go and see if I could find a kilt I liked. So, off I went to see what was available that was cooler and not too expensive.

The tartan ones for sale were wool and started at a few hundred dollars. Well, that wouldn't solve my temperature problem, or at least I didn't think it would, so I kept looking and came across the Amerikilt booth and my life was changed. I got an olive drab (OD) cotton utility kilt, no pouches but a sporran in matching fabric and a brown leather belt to complete the outfit. From that hot day about three years ago to now my attire on weekends and vacations and occasionally at work for the Halloween party has been a kilt. I have three now; the OD Amerikilt, an acrylic from Pakistan in Ancient Lamont (my clan from my mother's side of the family), and an Irish National semi-trad from USA Kilts that just arrived and which I am wearing now.

So, mine was a matter of necessity, but it also allowed me to celebrate my Scottish ancestry. How about the rest of the rabble, what are your stories?

Larry Schwartz

[fflex]

I don't know if I am a common example or a very different one, but my first kilt was a matter of necessity.

My wife and I, plus our best friends were at a Celtic Festival outside of Annapolis, MD a few years ago. It was a clear, bright, and hot day in the Spring. So, I in my infinite wisdom was wearing a black polo shirt and blue jeans. By midday I was not only hot, I was sweltering. My wife suggested that I go and see if I could find a kilt I liked. So, off I went to see what was available that was cooler and not too expensive.

The tartan ones for sale were wool and started at a few hundred dollars. Well, that wouldn't solve my temperature problem, or at least I didn't think it would, so I kept looking and came across the Amerikilt booth and my life was changed. I got an olive drab (OD) cotton utility kilt, no pouches but a sporran in matching fabric and a brown leather belt to complete the outfit. From that hot day about three years ago to now my attire on weekends and vacations and occasionally at work for the Halloween party has been a kilt. I have three now; the OD Amerikilt, an acrylic from Pakistan in Ancient Lamont (my clan from my mother's side of the family), and an Irish National semi-trad from USA Kilts that just arrived and which I am wearing now.

So, mine was a matter of necessity, but it also allowed me to celebrate my Scottish ancestry. How about the rest of the rabble, what are your stories?

Larry Schwartz

I had rented in the past but decided that I would buy my kilt when the first of my mums grandchildren got married. I did not expect it to be my son; he wanted to get married in the kilt so I purchased his as a personal gift from me and I purchased my kilt at the same time.

[llyd]

I wanted a utility kilt to work in....choked on the price..and with the simplicity of a box pleated kilt, I figured I could.just make the bloody things...a dozen or so for the price of new...I actually.landed here at Xmarks...and the X kilt instructions...then bought BarbT's book....melded some techniques...have made a few...the early ones were horrific...but I am getting better.
I just.made the first shirt I ever turned out...first garment I have made from a pattern too...it is not completely embarrassing...

[MacRobert's Reply]

My first kilt was a gift from my parents when I was about four years old.

[ThistleDown]

I still have mine, 73 years later. It was eventually worn by my brother (6 years younger that I), my 'son', my nephew, a second cousin, and now awaits another in the line . I had a second for a couple of years, but that was destroyed by moths years and years ago. My next kilt I wore at school. That one was passed on, through the school, to a very deserving lad whose parents needed a school uniform but didn't have the gilt. I'm sure it has been passed on, too.

[KiltedDixon]

I purchased a kilt so I could compete in a Highland Games competition.
I bought a Sporkilt, which served my purpose.
I went on from there...🙂