Hi everyone

[Prester John]

Ellie

Welcome!

I really think the best place to start would be a semi-traditional from USAKilts.

Rocky and Kelly are some of the best when it comes to making kilts in the US, and their semi-traditional will give you all the benefits of a traditional kilt, with all the benefits of a casual kilt, including washability and price.

It would be very hard to go wrong that way, for a first kilt.

When your husband wants 4 or 5 more kilts, THEN you can take things to the next level.

Just my two cents. Good luck. It should be a fun experience for you!

[Flutterby]

You guys have been a great help! Thank you for the nice welcome and the input.

I really think the best place to start would be a semi-traditional from USAKilts.

Rocky and Kelly are some of the best when it comes to making kilts in the US, and their semi-traditional will give you all the benefits of a traditional kilt, with all the benefits of a casual kilt, including washability and price.

I really appreciate you pointing out washability. I hadn't thought about that, but it IS an important factor. I checked out USAKilts and was totally impressed. I'm beginning to think that no matter what I end up getting him I can't go wrong.

I will have to second the opinion that your husband will like any kilt you get for him. Many men have to overcome the reluctance of their wife/girlfriend/SO when buying a kilt, but you are already past that. Bravo for you in being forward thinking and open minded!

Thanks! I'd love to see more women supporting their man's decision to wear a kilt. I can't think of anything finer than a man in a kilt, so I'll certainly do my part to get my husband into one!

[Graham]

Welcome Ellie, it's wonderful to see a wife caring so much for her husband as to want to buy him a kilt. I warms the heart!!

If it's tartan you want, I will add that our sponsor USA kilts is a good and safe place to get a kilt. I have half a dozen of their kilts and I love every one.

Was there a particular tartan you were thinking of?

[Flutterby]

Oh wow, so many things to consider! I'm really leaning toward USAKilts' semi-traditional kilt, but I'm still looking. He was looking over my shoulder while I was viewing the website and mentioned that he liked the Black Watch, MacLean Hunt, and Ramsay tartans (of course, he liked all of the others, too - lol). We both have Scottish ancestry and have been working on our family history so that we can find out who exactly we are connected to, so I think that that may make a difference once we find anything out.

He is 24 and is a student... do the younger men have different preferences than the older men? I don't know if it would make a difference anyway since he the anti slave-to-fashion. He'll wear whatever happens to be in front of him at the moment.

I really appreciate all the help and advice, guys. Thanks!

[davedove]

I don't know if it would make a difference anyway since he the anti slave-to-fashion. He'll wear whatever happens to be in front of him at the moment.

That could change once he starts wearing kilts. I'm amazed at how much I pay attention to coordinating my clothes when I wear a kilt.

[Flutterby]

That could change once he starts wearing kilts. I'm amazed at how much I pay attention to coordinating my clothes when I wear a kilt.

That's true, and I think he might pay attention to style eventually. His problem with clothing is that he can't really tell red from green very well so he doesn't know if what he's wearing matches or not.

Alan, your Ramsay blue kilt looks great! I think it's a good idea, too, for him to learn about the clan who's tartan he wears and have some info ready for people who ask about it. If not, he's liable to give some glib answer like, "Yeah, I stole it from Mel Gibson." Thanks for all the info!

[Alan H]

Oh wow, so many things to consider! I'm really leaning toward USAKilts' semi-traditional kilt, but I'm still looking. He was looking over my shoulder while I was viewing the website and mentioned that he liked the Black Watch, MacLean Hunt, and Ramsay tartans (of course, he liked all of the others, too - lol). We both have Scottish ancestry and have been working on our family history so that we can find out who exactly we are connected to, so I think that that may make a difference once we find anything out.

I'm not a Ramsay, and I have a Ramsay blue USA Kilt. I'm wearing it in the picture that I use for my avatar, here on XMarks. Notice that Rocky and Kelly keep a number of Ramsay philabegs "in stock" because the tartan is popular. So I'd say that ifyou were going to just plunge in and don't have a tartan in mind just yet, then the Ramsay one is a good choice.

I chose it!!!! LOL

Here's the thing.... if your husband is wearing a tartan kilt, he WILL get questions about the kilt and the tartan. "What clan is that?" will be heard, often. There's no rule saying what anyone can or can not wear, so he's welcome to wear a Ramsay tartan, but it would be good for him to learn a bit about that tartan, and the Ramsay family so that when he's asked, he can show respect for the tartan and it's associations. "Know your tartan" is something we've all learned around here. The thing is, it's not a drag to learn about tartans, it's really fun.

Just look up the Ramsay family on-line, and spend 45 minutes reading through the web site. Just so you know, the Ramsay's have some interesting history to share, including a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry!

If you choose a non-Clan tartan like Holyrood, look up a bit of the history of the tartan. For example, Holyrood is the seat of the new Scottish Parliament. It's also the name of the Royal Castle/House in Edinborough, and it's really quite grand. It's imposing enough and historical enough that there have been china patterns named after it!

The Holyrood Tartan was designed in the late 1970's for the Queen's Silver Jubilee, meaning her 50th birthday.

How about the various Regional tartans for the Irish and Scottish counties? No clan associations there, but there's lots to learn about the different regions in Scotland and Ireland.

Learning little things like that so that you can talk about the tartan you choose shows respect for the history it represents, and it's fun!

[bubba]

If you choose a non-Clan tartan like Holyrood, look up a bit of the history of the tartan. For example, Holyrood is the seat of the new Scottish Parliament. It's also the name of the Royal Castle/House in Edinborough, and it's really quite grand.

Holyrood House is the traditional Royal residence in Edinborough and the Duke of Hamilton is the hereditary keeper.

[Ugly Bear]

...do the younger men have different preferences than the older men?

The younger guys seem to like kilts that go past the bottom of the kneecap. Please help to resist this trend; it looks kind of stupid. (Top to middle of the kneecap, please.)

Another big trend is that the younger guys are more likely to eschew the traiditional kilt. There are all sorts of trends in contemporary kilting. The materials don't even try to look tartan, or even woollen. Solid colors, camo, canvas, cotton duc, leather ... they're all catching on, with mixed results. Fasteners besides straps 'n' buckles abound, snaps, velcro and hooks being popular alternatives. Contemporaries may have front pockets, cargo pockets, back pockets and detachable sporrans to match.

In a similar vein, younger men are less likely to traditionally accessorize. Brogues and hose are less likely than socks and boots. The kilts are integrated with the existing wardrobe.

Sounds like you're leaning toward USAKilts. Very good choice. It will be your first of many, and there's plenty to choose from out there.

And welcome to the forum.

[Flutterby]

The younger guys seem to like kilts that go past the bottom of the kneecap. Please help to resist this trend; it looks kind of stupid. (Top to middle of the kneecap, please.)

Brogues and hose are less likely than socks and boots. The kilts are integrated with the existing wardrobe.

LOL, you're right! I asked him what length he would prefer and he said just under the knee. He has agreed to bow to my judgement on this, though. I like the way they look at the middle of the knee. And I would *love* to see him in brogues and hose, but he's married to his boots.