Help me pick my next kilt

**Dan R Porter** · 2nd May 09, 03:00 PM

Oddly enough I don't care for the look of those tartans. Just my opinion though. Why not splurge and buy both!

**gilmore** · 2nd May 09, 03:13 PM

Why not get a Stillwater heavyweight Black Watch? It's only about $45 more, it's real wool, not synthetic material, can be worn anywhere, and has the advantage of being an all-purpose tartan, rather than the tartan of a clan that one has no association with. Or a Stillwater solid heavyweight saffron kilt for a few dollars less than that. Or a black or green shadow tartan. Nothing says "kilty" more than the stately swish of wool pleats.

**ccga3359** · 4th May 09, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

Why not get a Stillwater heavyweight Black Watch? It's only about $45 more, it's real wool, not synthetic material, can be worn anywhere, and has the advantage of being an all-purpose tartan, rather than the tartan of a clan that one has no association with. Or a Stillwater solid heavyweight saffron kilt for a few dollars less than that. Or a black or green shadow tartan. Nothing says "kilty" more than the stately swish of wool pleats.

I agree with Gilmore in for a few extra bucks go with the Stillwater wool (I think you'd find that the wool would be well worth the little extra saving for). I'd personally go with MacLaren, always liked that tartan. If one needs a connection to a tartan isn't Maclaren a Boy Scouting tartan?

**JolyStNicholas** · 2nd May 09, 04:34 PM

While you have the choice, and your having a hard time at it, go with the coin toss.

**pauljsharp** · 2nd May 09, 03:47 PM

I have bought both of my kilts from stillwater kilts and have been very pleased with them. I have their royal stewart and the stewart hunting (custom) I would suggest that if you want it to be able to go from day wear to semi formal to go with one of his kilts that are green based.

For me these move better from day wear to semi formal easier than the royal stewart does. My suggestion would be to go with the black stewart. But it seems that people are saying either gordon or mckenzie. My vote then would be the McKenzie, gives you more color to match shirts, hose and flashes to.

**Brian Boru** · 2nd May 09, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by MonsterDon

I always wanted a kilt but could never afford one, that is until I found Stillwater Kilts. My first kilt was/is a thrifty in Black Stewart that I bought over a year ago. As much as I love my kilt, I want something a little more...kilty. If that is even a word. Something I can build more "outfits" around. Something I can take up to the semi-formal level.

I still don't have funds to buy a hand-sewn/crafted-by-the-gods kilt so I've decide to get a Stillwater Regular. It's more...kilty, right? Now that I've decided where I'm going to get my next kilt, I need help picking the tartan.

I'm torn between: Gordon, MacDonald, Mackenzie, MacLaren and Royal Stewart.

While I want to be able to build and outfit that I can comfortably take into a semi-formal setting, I would also like to be able to pull off a more casual look and use either black or brown accessories. So I'm asking, nay begging, the collective rabble to help me pick my next kilt.

I just ordered and received a SWK weathered Mackenzie, and it is just outstanding. All rich earthy colors and the red stripe will work well with a maroon color. Different shades of green give one all sorts of options. And a dress white shirt works well with it too.From all the advise that you will get from the rabble here, I'm quite sure that you will make a fine choice, whichever one you choose. Happy kilting.

Cheers,

Brian

**Yodhan** · 2nd May 09, 04:10 PM

I myself have a Mackenzie and I love it. Between the two you asked for, I would be hard pressed to choose. I think I would go with the Gordon. It easily matches the colors of your other kilt so your wardrobe would not need to be heavily modified or added on to, but you could if you chose to.

**McNulty** · 2nd May 09, 04:14 PM

I would go for either the MacKenzie or the Gordon simply because they are both pleated to the stripe and look fab for that simple reason. But then again go for the wool BW for a couple of bucks more.
Nulty

**David H** · 2nd May 09, 05:24 PM

I have the McKenzie. It was the first one I ever purchsed. As a matter of fact I have both weathered and mondern. I actually wore the modern last weekend to a five star restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I wore it with a McKenzie tie, wihte shirt, Argyll jacket, with a black rabbit sporran. I received a lot of great comments. If you like the Blakc Watch you will like this one.

**bchunter** · 2nd May 09, 08:29 PM

Don't be too quick to dismiss the Weathered MacKenzie with black accessories. I've worn mine with black belt and sporran and it does very nicely. I've used black, green and cream hose, and all worked well depending on the rest of the outfit and the event/setting. I also found the muted tones very easy to dress down with slouched hose, hiking boots, etc, and it takes on a very casual, rugged and outdoors attitude.