Kilt makers
 

Anyone recommend a source for a kilt? I've been meaning to buy one for years... now may be the time. I'll be in Edinburgh, as well as Skye, Inveraray, Monarch of the Glen Country (Aviemore, etc). Also, any ideas what I can expect to pay for one?

Kind regards,
Steven

A kilt will cost anywhere from $400 to $800 depending on the fabric (weight and tartan) and the vendor.

My husband ordered a kilt in Scotland from http://www.thekiltcentre.com
Prices are on the site; you can get a kilt for under $500. He previously ordered a kilt from Geoffrey Tailor, and I think it was quite a bit more money.

My girls ordered their kilts from a shop in the US that does a beautiful job. It was custom made for them, with all of the ordering via email. I can dig up the name of the shop if you have any interest.

My husband got one a couple of years ago- actually it was a present from me

http://www.kiltsbykaren.com/

Miraculously, his previous kilt- 25 years old if it was a day- seemed to have shrunk (that's what he said, anyway).

She did a great job, and is a fair bit cheaper than the "chains". I can't really recommend anywhere else from personal knowledge. But I imagine you'll have to visit, be measured and have it sent.

For something slightly different you could try www.21stcenturykilts.com

When you're in Edinburgh, avoid like the plague the tartan tat shops which have kilts for under £100.

I should have spotted that input from alanRow earlier. Don't be fooled. Put "Jack McConnell" and kilt into google and see what comes up.

Thank you all, much. I'm definitely after the real thing, as opposed to a discount cheapie.

I'll check these links out. By the way, I live in North Carolina, USA. Killer summers. Anyone have a recommendation on weight?

Even though it is hot in North Carolina (we live in the Southeast also), I'd avoid getting the lightest weight tartan. It just wrinkles too much. I know a band that has the light weight and their quartermaster won't let them sit in their kilts.

I'd also avoid the heavy weight. My girls wore that weight for a band they were in - talk about heavy/hot! Also, I don't think they look as crisp.

You want the standard, medium weight. You can wear it year round and it will look good and move well. Be aware that most clan tartans have a dress version (usually with a lot of white in the tartan) that is usually worn for more formal occasions. For daywear you will want the regular tartan, or one of the hunting/ancient/weathered versions if you prefer them.

Wherever you order the kilt, it will be made and shipped to you. If it were my decision, I'd say order the kilt in the US, and purchase some of the accessories in Scotland - belt/buckle, sporran (watch the kind of fur, as not all can be brought back to the US), kilt hose, flask, kilt pin, etc. You could honestly get a great kilt made in North Carolina (with Scottish wool, etc.)! We've done it both ways.

Get a tropical weight kilt.

A tropical weight kilt?! With added mosquito net?

Don't be taken in by "experts" who say you also need to spend megabucks on accessories. A basic sporran and kilt socks are all you need to start with, you can wear them with ordinary dress shoes and an ordinary shirt and tie. A kilt belt looks nice but unless yu've lost a lot of weight since you were measured the kilt is in no dnager of falling down. Does anyone seriously believe that highlanders in the eighteenth century wore "penguin" jackets, matching garter flashes, or frilly shirts? There's a lot of mythological rubbish presented as authentic Scottish dress, most of it by people who want to skin you for as much cash as possible. A well known highland dress shop insisted on trying to sell me two jackets because I couldn't wear a tweed jacket to an evening reception. They ended up selling me nothing - not even the tweed jacket I was willing to buy.

Hey! I have friends whose father was an ambassador. Being Scots, kilt were their formal attire, and believe me, they did not carry and wear full weight kilts in India and South Africa. Remeber, Scotland built the empire

Ps, I agree with Craigellachie

OK, so definitely medium weight kilt for me, then. Thanks!

Noe847, If you know of a North Carolina maker that does a great job with Scottish wool, let me know!