If you only had 1 kilt...?

[kilted in kleaveland]

After attendding his brother's kilted wedding, my friends son (21 yrs old), expressed quite a lot of interest in the wearing of kilts. I of course told him to educate himself via. this site. But he asked me "If you only had 1 kilt, what would it be ?"
My first thought was my dream kilt - 8yd. handsewn County Sligo, but realized that this guy wanted my oppinion of HIS one and only klit.
I thought of the merits of a Quallity traditional but rather advised him to get a Utilikilt. Why?
1. Utilikilt makes a durable, easy care (as compared to dry cleaning) product
2. Many people find more occasion to wear Utlikilts other than " Dress " only as some people do with thier traditionals
3. It is more likely that this guy will actually get the $ 125 Utilikilt than
eye-popping amounts a good Quality traditional will cost.
4. Call utilikilts a training kilt if you want, it worked ( and still does ) for me. Its the reason I have gotten into traditional kilts ( by far my favorite )

So, would he be better off with the other train of thought...
(You may only own one of somthing, but it's the best you can get )
(He may not waste his time on some cheap knock- offs )
Or did I give him sound advise?

[Kilted KT]

a UK is a gateway kilt....it gets you into a kilt at a decent price, then you wind up saving money and buying the dream kilt...it will happen soon enough...

[Southern Breeze]

Theres a style and color to fit anyones taste and price range so choosing just one depends on the wearer. Any of the less than $200 models would be a good start.(excluding the el-cheapo trash).

[Blu (Ontario)]

The general design idea of Utilikilts is ok, but any that I've seen, the pleats just never seem to hang straight. Sure they're practical and rough and ready and all of that... But they also look kinda sloppy with the pleats curling every which way. That's the main reason I've not bought one.

If I was faced with having to choose a single kilt it would be one of my wool traditionals. Choosing the tartan would be tough... I like' em all.

.

[GMan]

One Kilt and it is a Utilikilt? Hmmmm hey it gets them into Kilts. Once they find out the comfort they may, and probably will, get into more Kilts. That is what happened to me, but mine was top down (more expensive to less and points in between and back again).

[MacWage]

maybe a Rocky special->USA Kilts
In tartan-> to his heritage and taste

(more traditional in style)

NOT a number of the Krap Kilts

(Watch the Ks here, reminds me of a certain group that used 3 of them, runs a museum near where I live, and turns my stomach)

[Panache]

KiK,

The advice you gave was sound. If I was to steer a potential kilt wearer I would either choose Utilikilts or Stillwater. For $200 one could get all but the Survival and Leather UK or a SWK Standard, sporran, hose, flashes, and maybe a belt. Either choice is a good value for the money. It would just depend on the individual. I don't think of modern kilts as a "gateway" kilt. I think they are their own thing and have unique advantages over traditional kilts. However I think traditional kilts have a most wonderful appearance and their own strengths.


It wouldl be interesting if you can follow up and see what the gentleman did.

Cheers

[Raphael]

If I am only allowed one kilt, it will have to be a 8 yard Kilt in British Columbia Tartan.

[Moose McLennan]

It might be worth measuring up and looking at the used/auction market. The run up to Christmas + Hogmanay, and the Spring wedding season is a bad time to look for kilts, but there are some screaming deals out there if you're patient. Maybe I just got lucky (and I DID look for over a year for the right kilt), but mine fits perfectly and looks brand new. Cost including shipping: less than GBP 55 for a heavyweight kilt. In fact, I think I got my whole outfit together - brogues, hose, flashes, kilt, sporran, belt, tweed jacket - for about the equivalent of USD 200. I just wish I'd applied myself to it far, far earlier!

The only mistake you can make is NOT buying a kilt! I wanted one since I was about ten, but took me over a quarter of century just to "get round to it"! And why not a cheap kilt or used one - always good as a knockaround kilt later.

M.

[Riverkilt]

Trying to read the question correctly...initially thought it was "If you could only have one kilt and that's it forever." (what an agonizing question)...

Would probably be a Utilikilt so I could get the most wear out of that one kilt.

On the other hand sounds like maybe the deeper question was, "What's a good starter kilt?"

That question doesn't much matter, since there will be more kilts once kilted.

Ron