The perfect kilt - if price is no object

[Tobus]

Just a bit of curiosity on my part. Pretend you won the lottery and could afford anything you wanted. Or pretend that you were only going to buy one kilt in your lifetime, and wanted the very best kilt that money could buy. Whatever the case, you are after a traditional 'tank', completely hand-made (and hand-stitched), 8 yards of 16-ounce wool or heavier, knife-pleated, double fringe, etc. You want the finest quality kilt you can get, and you don't care what it costs.

Who would you have make your kilt?

[piperdbh]

I'd have Matt Newsome make it from 4 yards of Harris tweed woven in the Thompson camel tartan,* Kingussie-pleated to the blank-and-white stripes, with a double fringe on the apron. No belt loops, thank you.




*Yes, I know it's not an "official" tartan, but I like it and my great-grandmother was a Thompson.

[Joshua]

I know what I would want, but no clue who would make it for me. Weathered Davidson knife pleated, 8 yard, triple fringe, embossed brown leather straps, and weathered brass buckles.

Actually, I'm most impressed with Paul Henry's fringe work, Matt Newsome's attention to detail, and the quality of my USA Kilts... could I have a consortium of kiltmakers buikd my kilt?

[LitTrog]

I'd have John Hart from Keltoi build me an 8-yard military box-pleated kilt in Roxburgh Ancient. Would also like a Barb T. kilt, but John edges her for first on my wishlist.

[Joshua]

And now I add two more names to the consortium...

[BCAC]

I know what I would want, but no clue who would make it for me. Weathered Davidson knife pleated, 8 yard, triple fringe, embossed brown leather straps, and weathered brass buckles.

Actually, I'm most impressed with Paul Henry's fringe work, Matt Newsome's attention to detail, and the quality of my USA Kilts... could I have a consortium of kiltmakers buikd my kilt?

The consortium is a good idea, but I think perhaps each and every one of the kiltmakers you named could do all the work to a very high standard.

I've no experience with Matt nor with USA Kilts but I can say that there is no possible way to make my Cunningham Hunting Ancient tank (made by the expert hands of Paul Henry) any better. It's simply not possible.

[tyger]

I reccomend Bonnie Heather for knife pleat, Matt Newsome for box. Get one of each,,,,not kidding you

[OC Richard]

The kilt I usually wear nowadays is just about as perfect as it can be: Strome fabric, handstitched, no loops, two straps, made to measure.

I do have a 'dream kilt' though: Cameron of Erracht in extra-heavy Army weight fabric, boxpleated to the yellow line, grass-green binding, Army style straps & buckles. I would prefer the mid-19th century style with approximately 1" wide pleats and hence somewhat less fabric than modern Army kilts.

[rondo]

I'd have Matt Newsome make it from 4 yards of Harris tweed woven in the Thompson camel tartan,* Kingussie-pleated to the blank-and-white stripes, with a double fringe on the apron. No belt loops, thank you.

Yep...Matt Newsome...but 6 yards cause I'm fat...yes to the custom weave Harris Tweed but in my own personal tartan...Kingussie for sure.

Rondo

[Cowher]

Oh man this is a hard one.…

At this moment I would choose Lady Chrystel.
But I don't feel 100 % comfortable making that statement. After all I have been debating on details of my tweed jacket and waistcoat for going on 9 months now.