New Guy - First Kilt

[kev_1270]

Looking to get my first kilt. Although the kilt is going to primarily worn for events such as Renaissance festivals and such - I am attempting to utilize my personal history with my family history to create something that is comfortable, fun, meaningful - and with the thought of being somewhat period correct.

I found the tartan I would have liked to use to note my personal experience: US Special Forces. However, when I applied for the restricted tartan I was declined, as the tartan is listed for US ARMY at the registry. That took a bit of wind out of my sail (pun intended - I was Navy), but I'll get over it... and find another tartan with meaning.

I'm looking for a bit of personal experience on wearing a kilt to such events. We are mainly talking about Texas at the end of the summer - walking around at the 50+ acre site. I like the look of the Great Kilt, but it seams like it would be a bit heavy and hot to wear for such events (not any AC going to be happening). So, I was actually considering the Ancient Kilt (I know it's not even traditional) for the look and feel, but less heavy. And using 16 oz. weave since it is a single fold construction.

The belt... everything I can find shows the typical wrap around belt with the square buckle. I might be off, but that doesn't seam very 16th century - it seam more modern.

Any tips or feedback would be appreciated.

[Zardoz]

Kev, it sounds like you are talking about TRF ? Anything goes there for kilts, see my photos; http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...969/index.html

A lot of folks there go with the 'Ancient Kilt' from Celtic Croft as a lighter, easier "historic" looking kilt, there is a fellow in my photos wearing one in the US Army tartan, but most folks wear modern traditional kilts with their faire garb. I use my USA Kilts semi-traditonals, they are not too hot or heavy, and washable!

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/ancient_kilts.html

http://www.ravenswoodleather.com/Belts/index.html


Oh, and

[Ryan Ross]

Looking to get my first kilt. Although the kilt is going to primarily worn for events such as Renaissance festivals and such - I am attempting to utilize my personal history with my family history to create something that is comfortable, fun, meaningful - and with the thought of being somewhat period correct.

I found the tartan I would have liked to use to note my personal experience: US Special Forces. However, when I applied for the restricted tartan I was declined, as the tartan is listed for US ARMY at the registry. That took a bit of wind out of my sail (pun intended - I was Navy), but I'll get over it... and find another tartan with meaning.

I'm looking for a bit of personal experience on wearing a kilt to such events. We are mainly talking about Texas at the end of the summer - walking around at the 50+ acre site. I like the look of the Great Kilt, but it seams like it would be a bit heavy and hot to wear for such events (not any AC going to be happening). So, I was actually considering the Ancient Kilt (I know it's not even traditional) for the look and feel, but less heavy. And using 16 oz. weave since it is a single fold construction.

The belt... everything I can find shows the typical wrap around belt with the square buckle. I might be off, but that doesn't seam very 16th century - it seam more modern.

Any tips or feedback would be appreciated.

Greetings and welcome to xmarks from Atlanta GA!

Moving on to your question: Period correct for the latter 1500s into the 1800s would be the belted plaid. Go any earlier, and you'd want a leina; any later, and you'd want a tailored kilt. As it sounds like you are well aware, the "ancient kilt" was designed by costumers specifically for the film Braveheart. As such, it's a costume, and therefor, not subject to all the same kinds of considerations that wearing a tailored kilt as everyday clothing would be.

Onto the logistics, I feel like 16oz would certainly be the ideal fabric for this type of garment, but you would probably be fine with 13oz, if you were super concerned with the heat factor.

Also, even though they don't seem to wear them in Braveheart, I think you'll probably want some type of sporran or sporran-like device, so you'll have somewhere to put your wallet, car keys, cell phone, etc.

As for the belt, you could find a buckle that you really like and make a belt yourself, or have a skilled leather worker make a belt using a buckle you've found, such as I recently did.


You can also find some great belts for your purposes here: http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/belts.htm

...If you call up the museum, you might find that they have other buckles available (I know that they used to carry a square, hand forged iron buckle that was spectacular... worth a check). I'm right there with you on the waistplate kilt belts. Never been a big fan, even with modern highland dress.

Otherwise, just have fun with it- but be warned that you might enjoy the comfort so much that you'll end up wanting a tailored kilt for regular wear. These things can be addictive.

[ScottEPooh]

If you're talking about a great kilt being "authentic" for the 1500s, you might check this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/r...ighlight=1500s As far as the tartan, there is a smashing US Navy tartan that might the bill for you, possibly with a Spec Forces kilt pin? And before I forget WELCOME TO XMTS!!!!

[McFarkus]

from Chicago. You might look at a 4 yard box-pleated kilt. You can use a good wool tartan and still be comfortable in warmer climes. Matt Newsome of the Scottish Tartans Museum has an article about it here

[Ryan Ross]

If you're talking about a great kilt being "authentic" for the 1500s, you might check this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/r...ighlight=1500s As far as the tartan, there is a smashing US Navy tartan that might the bill for you, possibly with a Spec Forces kilt pin? And before I forget WELCOME TO XMTS!!!!

The belted plaid("great kilt") is perfectly fine for probably the last couple decades of the 1500s(not the 15th century).

from Chicago. You might look at a 4 yard box-pleated kilt. You can use a good wool tartan and still be comfortable in warmer climes. Matt Newsome of the Scottish Tartans Museum has an article about it here

Fantastic suggestion, good sir! Box pleated kilts are 'da bomb.

[dfmacliam]

I am in Texas and a bit further north of you...DFW and my 4 yd box pleat is great in the summer months.. I wear the Leatherneck.

The USNavy Edzell tartan is nice.. Check it out... Also the Navy has a couple others... Seabee's and Polarius.

Welcome aboard to the forum, and I know you can find any and all the information you desire.

[kev_1270]

Thanks for the bits of advice. I have already read up on some articles and had some email correspondence with Matt Newsome, and have already found the Celtic Croft site (both do Box cut - which I like). I even spoke with Linda Clifford when I was attempting to obtain the Tartan I first mentioned.

I think I will just find a tartan I like since the period didn't really have identifying tartans at the time... it was pretty much wear what you could find - then use a pin for my military service vs. a typical kilt pin to bring my personal background into the picture.

Utilizing Matt would be great aside from the poor guy has a 6 month wait list to get something made. But I guess if I got it going soon I would have it for spring... or I may go with Celtic Croft.

The sporran I have some ideas on. I have seen many in casual kilts with fancy, piper sporrans, but will probably opt with a simple leather sporran. The claymore is more of a replica - since it can't be removed from the sheath at the events anyways.

Leaves me with one thing that I'm really unsure on: Hat?

Ryan - where did you find the buckle... may I'm using poor search words.

I did see the Edzell - but the woman thought it was too blue and wouldn't go with the brown 8 button boots i already got. Women