Buying First Kilt, Help Me Decide!

[Rex_Tremende]

So after a year (!) of procrastinating, it's finally time for me to get my first kilt. I've decided to go with USAK, ... But I can't decide whether to get a Casual or Semi-Trad (I'd order the Casual at Traditional Waist, not Jeans Waist.) I have right around $250, which would be enough for the "Casual Package" deal, plus the $25 rush fee. OR for a Semi-Trad with the $35 rush fee (The Casual package comes with a bunch of other great stuff which would save me some money initially.)

First, welcome to the addiction.

Second, you've waited a year, so what's the rush?



Oh. Never mind. Welcome to the addiction.

Regards,
Rex.

[Cat]

You've waited a year, so what's the rush?

The fact that I've waited a year is the rush

Also, thanks to everyone for the warm welcome! I've been lurking around here for a year, and figured now was a good time to register. I suppose I'll head over to the "newbie" forum and introduce myself (since I haven't anything else to do, and Rocky's probably sound asleep and unable to take my order right now!*wink*)

Just out of curiosity, does anyone else have pics of themselves in a Grey Granite Semi-Traditional (or even a Casual?) USAK has a picture on their website of one person wearing a Casual in that color, but I'd like to see some other views of it.

[Riverkilt]

Just my opinion.

I own 18 USA Kilts. 11 Casuals and 7 Semi-traditionals.

If I had it to do all over again I'd have stayed with the Semi-trads all the way.

Why? More pleats, better looking (hence the name), and I've come to like wearing my kilts without a belt (more comfy for the obese) and I've also come to love swingin' the pleats when I walk. There's more swish in a semi-trad and if you're not already hooked up with a fine lady you'll probably find that the semi-trad is a better quality "babe bait."

And...know you said its been a long time, but why not invest the speedy fee in matching flashes instead. Its still not that long of a wait and once you got it the jones doesn't matter.

And, lots of USA Kilts pics in my galleries if you wanna compare the two.

Ron

[Cat]

Riverkilt: I've decided that I'm definitely going with the Semi-Traditional...I just think I'll be happier in the long run (for pretty much all the reasons you listed!) That's a good idea about the flashes though...I'm not ordering until tomorrow or Saturday, so I'll definitely sleep on that idea!

And as a general question to everyone else: I'm currently measuring myself (again, just to be sure), and even though the USAK site says that the hip measurement is usually about 4-6" larger than the waist measurement...except no matter how many times I check, mine is still coming out to only about 2 or 3" larger than my waist measurement (yes, I'm measuring at the widest part of my backside.) Do smaller guys tend to be flatter in the "buttockal area" (I'm only 5'2")? I just want to make sure that it fits properly.

[Jerry]

First of all, welcome to Xmarks. And, secondly, not everyone has a "butt". My hip measurements are almost the same as my kilt waist. Of course I have a bit of a middleaged spread, aka beer gut. I have two suggestions. First, Steve of Freedom kilts has a great video on measuring for your kilt posted as a sticky in the Freedom Kilt section of this forum, and last, call Rocky and discuss the measurements with him.

[NewKilt]

Besides the US Navy tartan I just recently ordered from USAK, I just ordered the Grey Granite from them today. Both are casual models, but I will be wearing them at the true waist like a traditional kilt. I think the Grey Granite is an excellent choice for a universal tartan. It allows a lot of flexibility in the color of shirts and socks that you wear with it. I have a dark charcoal polo shirt and charcoal hose that should go great with this tartan. Other colors that would look good with it - black, dark blue, dark green, maroon, etc.

Darrell

[Cat]

I think the Grey Granite is an excellent choice for a universal tartan. It allows a lot of flexibility in the color of shirts and socks that you wear with it.
Darrell

That was pretty much my thinking on it, especially for my first kilt. I ordered it almost three weeks ago, so I should hopefully be getting this week.

If Rocky's not too busy, maybe he'll chime in here and lemme know how the process is going (hint, hint, nudge nudge!)

[canawler]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone else have pics of themselves in a Grey Granite Semi-Traditional (or even a Casual?) USAK has a picture on their website of one person wearing a Casual in that color, but I'd like to see some other views of it.

You want pictures. Noooo problem.
Actually the picture on the website was probably me.

This kilt is a casual model and I love wearing it in the summer, but I have since bought a Stillwater heavyweight and discovered that I really like the more traditional cut and fit. Any future USA Kilt purchases will definitely be the semi-traditional model.

This tartan seems to be hard to photograph well. It appears very blue-ish in almost all my pics but it's not at all. Oh well...

The first two are probably the most accurate for color