Inexpensive kilts - a quandry

[bodhran4me]

Scotweb has Cameron Hunting in 11 oz on sale through XMTS discount for $170 CDN.

[Riverkilt]

Check with Rocky at USA kilts. See if he has any more of the Cameron Modern tartan wool cloth he had on sale last fall. 16 ounce Locharron wool for $250. Save your change, sell stuff you don't need to make up the extra.

[O'Callaghan]

Celtic Croft offers an economy kilt in Cameron modern (home spun) for $119. Not a tank, but it is in your budget.

Reduced to $109, apparently. They say it's a poly/wool blend, whatever that may mean, and 4-6 yards.

[OC Richard]

Hey Dave!! Great to see you post here!! (We go back to the 1970s.)

My advice for what it's worth is to go with real wool (16oz if possible) in Cameron of Erracht tartan. The USA Kilts options sounds good for your price range. Heck, I just took a kiltmaking class and the fabric alone was nearly $400. I also urge you to get it pleated to the yellow stripe.

Why Cameron of Erracht?

1) it's the earliest Cameron tartan, the only one which can firmly be dated to the 18th century, and is the only Cameron tartan recorded by Logan in 1831 (the first published collection of tartan designs).

2) it's a military tartan

3) it looks awsome (so much for objectivity!) but how can you beat this?

[Kilted Cole]

Have you looked into kilt strap extenders? I wound up getting a sett because my first kilt I got when I had a 30 inch waist....7yrs later I'm a 37 inch waist. I spent $15 on the extenders and wound up saving myself $1-200 by not having to get a new kilt. At least untill the bug bit me.

[Jackson]

I'll have to echo the advice of all those who know best, but, I bought an inexpensive kilt for my first one. Like you I couldn't get a Cameron tartan of any kind, so I opted for their US Air Force. Then I find out, after reading this forum for a spell, that may or may not have anything to do with the US Air Force. Not a bad looking kilt any way. Then while planning a trip to the homeland, I had Rocky make me a 5 yard, Cameron of Eracht Ancient. Yes, it was twice the money, but money well spent. The difference is amazing and Rocky has a fan for life in me. I still wear the Sport Kilt and it is what it is. Days when I want to be kilted just because, I wear the Air Force one and save my "good" one for special occassions and evening wear. Of, course, any opportunity to wear my Cameron is a special occassion!!

You're on the right track and asking the right people. XMTS folks won't lead you wrong.

Jackson

[eagle43172]

Thanks to all for the sage advice. I've been staffing a BSA youth training course at one of my council's Scout Camps for the last week with no access to the net. I'm still mulling over the right choice. Cost is really no issue (I never thought I'd be saying that). As I said, this kilt purchase is to cover me (literaly) while I lose some post cancer weight gain. Richard, I agree with you...my fav Cameron is the Erracht, but I already have a kilt in that tartan. I intend add another tank in the future, but not while I'm as big as I am.

And the question remains: How were the available P/V and Acrylic tartans chosen to weave? That I don't get.

Dave