In need of a KILT!

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Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on December 22, 2008 at 11:43pm

Brandon, the idea of what tartan,what kind of kilt and so on are very involved way to involved (even for Me) to post in this particular place.... Typically a typical Modern "real" kilt is configured in two weights of material 13 oz is the lighter and more common and most easy to get in almost any tartan anytime.. The 2nd thing to consider is how You want the pleats done... pleats are done as BOX pleats or Knife pleats One lines up the dominant stripe , the other pleats is formed so the "sett" continues to show even in the pleats.. the SETT is the smallest "boxed" design that repeats throughout , while the knife shows a "color variation" in the pleats from the aprons or front flat parts if the Maincolor was royal blue, the knife pleats would most likely be a lighter blue, because of the "other colors" invading the royal areas.. its all quite extensive .. There are "firefighter" officially recognized tatans now post 9/11 Sacremento, California is one band wearing one of two variations, as it seems and Pierce County Washington Firefighters it seems will also be wearing one ofthem.. and Off the top of my head Iam thinking Lewiston Idaho FF P&DI think also is working on FF tartan.. of Note, here In the NE RED Ramsey has been popular among Firebands and Is worn by 1 band in the UK , Connecticut Firefighters , Chelsea mass FF, New London Ct FF, Newark NJ FF, to name a few and in other areas other similar tarans have been chosen,, The base colors in the Ramsey are Red Black and white and secondary colors grey and shadowed red with black... Buying a single kilt will always be more expensive then a band buying 10 at a time.... A traditional modern scottish style kilt is designed to be worn Like your grandads pants a tad above the navel, and will cover/lay just above the knee, measurements are typically taken there, as well as your jeans waist, andtypically a measurement from upper waist to 2 fingers above the knee they are fastned with belts , one left side through a hole in the kilt the other outter apron on the rightside has twobelts one upperandone about 4 inchs below and are designed to have 4 holes and "should be between 2nd tightest and 3rdtightest holes to beproper fit, when You getfat the outter belts can be "moved" and resewn....

Good info can be found at

http://www.kiltpedia.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

and I will invite youto stop into http://www.phpbbserver.com/smokenpipes which is a fire fighters Piping and drumming and band forum , Yo certainly do nothave to be in a band tojoin in and see what there is outthere and where to find things....

Feel free to message me here or there..Jim

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Manning on June 22, 2009 at 11:39pm

Here's several options:

1. Celtic Croft (kilts-n-stuff.com) Casual kilt; 30 tartans, roughly $120.00.
2. Sportkilt.com ; Roughly 100.00
3. Utilikilt : roughly 100.00

All of these are NOT full heavy formal kilts, but they will suffice for you to get started with. They have a good appearance, and will hold up to the limited amount of wear you will put on them in the beginning. After that, when you're ready, try TheScottishTradingCompany.com, Matt & Jennie can put you into a high-quality formal kilt for about $400.00, depending on your size and your tartan choice.
If your local pipe band will issue you one once you're ready, I'd look into the first 3 choices, and that will leave you funds available for all the other pieces. If you can, make sure your choices in glengarries, hose, spats and other parts match the band if possible. There's no sense in having to have 2 of everything! But, if your band wears the diced glengarries or balmorals, you might want to consider a solid color for your outside "gigs", as the dicing is very much a 'uniform' look. Also, the horsehair sporrans are an 'uniform' item, so leave room in your budget for a day sporran for the side jobs.
Are you representing your city and department as a piper? If so, then will the city help in covering expenses? My department fully outfitted 2 pipers with everything, including pipes!

Jeff Manning
Sgt. Glasgow Fire Dept.
Glasgow, KY

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