Your evolution in the kilt

**Mr. Kilt** · 11th April 06, 08:25 AM

My first "kilt" was a converted kilted skirt. Couldn't afford anything better at the time. After awhile I got a Bear Kilt, and the converted skirt got tossed into the donation box. Now I have 7 different kilts ranging from a tank to a UK...something for every occasion.

**Riverkilt** · 11th April 06, 08:33 AM

No kilt snobs out here in the canyonlands of Arizona. This is jean country for the panted, due to all the blowing dust and sand. A whole different world than the city.

I started out with Utilikilts and SportKilts, then added mostly camo kilts from individual kiltmakers like Jeff and Steve. Added some AmeriKilts for a fancier look....but found I just don't like sporrans much.

Once I started to work went to UK mockers, workman's and survivals. Wear them most of the time. No matter how grubby they get I can just toss them in the wash. I love that "Scottish jeans" line because that's what they're like to me.

Of course you can't hang around the kilt world without hankering for a tartan kilt. My first were SportKilts...the old gathered kind...decided to spring for a hand sewn traditional in my clan tartan and once that arrived I was hooked. Now have four more and then sort of backfilled into USAKilts that let me have both the tartan and the washability.

Don't know how many other guys there are on this board that live in the boonies rather than the city. But think we do need and wear contemporary kilts more.

Ron

**cessna152towser** · 11th April 06, 08:46 AM

No kilt snobbery and not the same evolution either as I started off with an expensive kilt which was only worn on a special occasion. Its only more recently now that I wear a kilt as often as trousers for everyday wear that I've bought my first cheap casual kilts, in order to keep the better quality kilts good for the better occasions, but amazingly I still get compliments, even in a cheap polyester kilt.

**Ugly Bear** · 11th April 06, 08:56 AM

It's not really about snobbery. It's about finding what's right for you. Hardly anyone has the expertise (or cash) to just jump in with an 8-yard tank on their first go. You try out the market, based on what you know, find out the good points and bad points of each try, and proceed from there.

I myself started out with Utilikilts, and worked my way up to the more formal models. I don't hold my UK's in any lower esteem than I do my later, high-end purchases. The casuals and the formals each have their uses. But my experience has taught me that Sport Kilts are not what I have in mind. And, much as I love them, I have no need for more UK's.

The word "snob" implies that you wouldn't be seen with someone else wearing a Sport Kilt. That you don't regard Sport Kilt as highly anymore merely indicates higher standards. High standards may be confused with snobbery, but they're really not the same thing.

**chasem** · 11th April 06, 09:22 AM

I agree with just about everything stated in here.

I too started with a sportkilt, and about the same time I started in this forum.

I saw what others had posted and such, and from there found Stillwater. I ordered one of their standards and loved it. Ended up ebaying the SK. Now I own two SWK's, and one that I made myself. It's like others have said, it's an evolution in taste.

**Pour1Malt** · 11th April 06, 09:29 AM

by "are you a kilt snob?"

ai think ya mean "do you have a knowledge and apprieciation of kilts?"

an aye ai dae!

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' kilts...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' Single Malt Scotch Whisky...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' beer...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' reidheided lassies...

**way2fractious** · 11th April 06, 09:59 AM

My first kilt was a homemade heavy cotton one. Learned a lot with it and still wear it occassionally. My second kilt was a SportKilt; it didn't teach me much positive and was instantly relegated to a bicycle shorts coverup. Barb's book, The Art of Kiltmaking, was then used several times for wool hillwalkers, and adapted for some fine looking cotton/polys. Along the way, some 8-yard wools were acquired from eBay. I've now tried my hand at 4-yard box pleats and military box pleats. My next kilt project will be to transform 5 metres of DW XMarks tartan into a "tank" and, perhaps, a vest and a tam.

There are now enough kilts in my closet to choose the right one for whatever occassion, chore, activity, or destination arises. There will definitely be more kilts, though, and some are bound to be disposed of. Someday, I'll even attempt wearing a great kilt.

What I find find fascinating, besides the peculiar geometry of kiltmaking, is the wide variety of kilts, tartans, patterns, colors, and accoutrements. I personally do not wish to wear a Utilikilt, but I have made and wear some that come close to the UK style (wider aprons.)

Bring on the kilts, boys! Wear whatever you like, and we'll have a grand time.

**philbo** · 11th April 06, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Pour1Malt

by "are you a kilt snob?"

ai think ya mean "do you have a knowledge and apprieciation of kilts?"

an aye ai dae!

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' kilts...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' Single Malt Scotch Whisky...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' beer...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' reidheided lassies...

Yup.
But will you ever wear a sport kilt again? Or do you look down on such apparel?

**pdcorlis** · 11th April 06, 08:48 AM

My first kilts were Stillwaters - both good kilts and great bang for the buck. My next kilt was a USAK from Rocky - WOW what a difference a made to measure PV kilt is. I own one contemporaty kilt and its going to be really fun to wear. My newest traditional kilt is a handsewn custom tank and Oh MY... what a wonder it is. Even our costume designer (formerly a Hollywood costumer) saw me walking down the hall in my tank and said "that kilt moves differently than any other kilt you own - its amazing!"

I'm no kilt snob - just like I love all my kids - I love all my kilts. I really think its a matter of different horses for different courses...

**Colin** · 11th April 06, 10:00 AM

I am a total kilt snob now.
I started out with a 4 yard Bear kilt in the lighter Candian province tartans. I moved up from there to a 4 yard Bear in the clan tartans from Marton Mills. After that I ordered an 8 yard from Bear and an 8 yard from Canadakilt. All of these kilts made me feel like a king when wearing them, but something was missing. I added a tweed argyle jacket and waistcoat to my collection and soon realized that a traditional kilt was in order. I now have a hard time wearing any of the 4 yard PV kilts, and I sold off the 8 yard Bear and Canada kilt, as I just never wore them. I am a total convert and see the superior quality, durability, adaptablility, and comfort of wool. I will next order a Weatherd MacKenzie 13 oz for more regualr wear and keep the 8 yard 16oz Watson for formal.

But yes, I am a kilt snob, but only by holding myself to my standards.

Originally Posted by Pour1Malt

by "are you a kilt snob?"

ai think ya mean "do you have a knowledge and apprieciation of kilts?"

an aye ai dae!

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' kilts...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' Single Malt Scotch Whisky...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' beer...

ai am proud tae hae a knowledge an apprieciation o' reidheided lassies...

Exactly. I prefer a nice single malt scotch to a bourbon, blended whisky, or rye so it's only natural that I would want the best kilt I could afford.