Our topic this week is “Reasons Men Decide to Wear a Kilt ... And How They Get Started”.

Why do men wear kilts? How do they get started? How do they work up the courage for that first time going out in a kilt? We’ll be discussing these questions and reflecting on “the kilt journey” we are all on.

For more on "Kilt Confidence" - check out the BLOG ARTICLE HERE

 

--------------------------------------------------WE HAVE A PASSION FOR HERITAGELocated in Spring City PA, USA Kilts is a team of American kilt makers who have been making men’s kilts in authentic clan tartans since 2003. We craft a full range of kilts right in our shop, from our budget casual kilt to our traditional machine sewn, hand-finished 8-Yard kilt. We specialize in all aspects of highland wear and Celtic clothing including Scottish, Irish and Welsh kilts and accessories.

ONLINE: http://www.USAKilts.comhttps://www.facebook.com/USAKilts/https://www.instagram.com/usakilts/E-mail: [email protected]

Do you make kilts for curling or other athletics? Plus the Grand National Curling Club tartan.

Custom weaving a clan tartan with different colors - (MacLean Ancient in this case)

What are the best options for a spouse who wants to match her husband’s kilt?

Can you wear National / Clan / family accessories with a universal or fashion tartan? Or is that bad form? For instance - a Welsh dragon sporran with Blackwatch.

When wearing a grouse foot kilt pin, does the claw point up or down?

Where do you get “diaper pin” military kilt pins (blanket pins) and how much do they cost?

Are sewn-down pleats useful or do they cheapen the look of the kilt?

Why are kilts measured in yards and not meters? Plus a discussion of kilt types coming out of Scotland and the history of the USA Kilts 5-yard kilt.

Why do you make a 5-yard kilt?

Best tartan cloth for upholstering furniture?

What tartans are we wearing today?

Rocky’s Civil War story

Cream kilt hose - are they formal or informal? Why are cream kilt hose popular?

How do you determine how much yardage you need for a great kilt?

Have you seen an increase in kilt wearing in the past ten years?

Do you sell Sheriffmuir jackets?

What shirt and jacket options do you recommend for a semi-formal event?

When do you wear Ghillie Brogues? Are Ghillie Brogues only for formal dress or informal dress?

Are there other sporran materials besides leather? An you make a sporran out of something other than leather? Is there a vegan sporran?

Can I wear studs with a Prince Charlie Jacket and vest?

Are there some tartans you just should not wear? What is a Restricted Tartan anyway? Are the "Kilt Police" really a thing?

Content Guide:

What is a registered tartan?

What is a copyrighted tartan and what is the difference?

Why is the Black Watch tartan a potentially bad choiuce for an Irish person to wear? 

 

 

Who are the Kilt Police? Are the Kilt Police just online trolls?

How likely are you to get called out by the kilt police in real life? (as opposed to online)

Do Americans have to worry more about this, or less?

 

Why should anyone care what tartan you are wearing?

Is the problem of forbidden tartans and all that over-blown?

What are the errors made in Scottish Clan Crest display?

Should I worry when I am getting dressed? The calculated risk.

What is the one single faux pas you would say people must avoid?

Wrap-up How do you balance being a good ambassador and being free on a daily basis?

In this episode we taste test an American-made Haggis! We then launch into some Q&A. Don't forget, we are now switching back and forth between our Q&As and our new 'Exploring Perspectives' episodes! Look for the next one in two weeks.

Here are the Questions covered in this Q&A:

Can you wear knee-high Renaissance Faire boots with a kilt? If you wear tall renn faire boots, do you need kilt hose?

Piper’s spats for large calves?

Feather Bonnet facts and price

Can you get a gold sporran chain?

When can you wear a hunting sporran?

Concealed carry sporrans. Can you carry a firearm in a sporran?

Can tartan flashes be a different tartan than the kilt? Can you wear tartan flashes that are different from each other -- a different tartan on each leg? What do you think of tartan flashes cut on the bias?

Which is better - elastic flashes or traditional garter ties?

Do Sgian Dubhs have a good cutting edge?

Are flashes required or optional for formal wear? What do you do if your flashes do not match your tartan colors?

Women’s bagpiper vests? Do you make Argyll vests for women?

How do I iron my kilt at home?

Drums

"From Tasteful to Tacky: Celtic Themes & Symbols Used in Marketing & Pop-culture"

This the first of a new format for the show - Exploring Perspectives.

In this session we discuss marketing, media, pop culture and how they use (or misuse) tartan and other Celtic themes in business.

For example:When is it okay or not okay to use tartan in branding?Do you have to be Scottish to use Scottish symbols or tartan as a business?How do you register a tartan?Is it too easy to register a custom tartan?Why does 'The Tilted Kilt' have its own tartan?What is a jimmy hat? Is the jimmy hat disrespectful to Scottish culture or is it just a harmless joke?Do American companies have their own tartans?

 

* DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR US? E-MAIL IT TO: [email protected]

Are there formal Highland jacket colors than other black?

Matching shirt colors to tartans

What do you do if your sgian dubh tends to slide down inside your kilt hose?

How do you get into and out of a restaurant booth in a kilt?

What is the best way to pose for a photograph while kilted? How do you show off your kilt in a photo?

Which side do you wear your sgian dubh on?

Do you have to be bald to look awesome in a kilt?

Why don’t lapels on waistcoats wrap all the way around to the back like on a suit coat?

How does an asymmetrical tartan affect the look of the kilt? Do you have to choose different pleating? Does an asymmetrical sett look better pleated to the sett or to the stripe?

Which type of formal jacket works better for larger gents?

What is a day plaid and does it have to match the tartan of the kilt?

What do you wear for a Burns Supper? What should you wear for Burns Night? What is proper Burns Supper Highland dress?

Is there anything you have to do if you go to a Burns Supper?

Is there ever a problem with kilt hose being too thick for ghillie brogues? Should you order larger size shoes to accommodate the thickness of kilt hose?

How do you wear hose-tops (ie separate socks)? Should spats or gaiters always be worn with hose tops?

Kilt pleat styles (knife vs box, etc.) Is one considered more "traditional" than another? What are the pros and cons of different types of pleating when it comes to construction, care and looks?

Can you wear a sporran with a utility kilt?

Intro - Irish whiskey - Jameson’s Cask mates, Stout Edition

Tartans we are wearing and the reason you need a tartan swatch and can’t trust monitors and internet photos all the time

Do the components of a tartan pattern have names? Rocky mentions the "guard" stripes sometimes. Are there other parts? Do different parts of a tartan pattern hold any significance?

Should you wear a black kilt to a funeral?

Being the “kilt guy” everyone wants to see at events and parties

When do you wear a kilt belt?

Can you wear a shirt and tie without a vest?

Can you wear a regular “saxon” vest with a kilt instead of a kilt vest?

Do you always wear flashes with kilt hose? What is the proper positioning on the leg for hose flashes?

Is there such a thing as a buckleless kilt belt? What is a good belt option if you don’t want the belt to interfere with the sporran cantle or with wearing sporran hangers? How do you use sporran hangers? Sporran hangers for larger men.

Do you like round kilt belt buckles? Why aren’t round kilt belt buckles more popular?

What style of kilt pin do you wear for formal occasions? What style of kilt pin do you wear for casual occasions? Are there rules regarding the type of kilt pin you should wear?

Why are hunting sporrans not more popular? Do you find sporran tassel drumming annoying? How can you avoid or prevent your sporran tassels from drumming as you walk?

How do you tie Ghillie Brogues? What is the proper way to tie Ghillie Brogues?

How long should your shirt sleeves be for formal Scottish attire? Should you be able to see your shirt cuffs while wearing a Prince Charlie or Argyll jacket?

What should a bagpiper wear? What are the best options for bagpiper uniforms for solo gigs? What outfit should a new bagpiper invest in first?

What do you do if you are getting married but not all of the groomsmen want to wear kilts? Does it look weird to have some groomsmen in kilts and others in suits?

What are the guidelines for wearing military awards (ribbons or medals) when wearing formal civilian Highland Dress like a Prince Charlie?

What is your favorite scotch?

Regarding wearing a kilt in the elements -- can you make a kilt from “Tarp material” or alternative fabrics to make a waterproof kilt? Or a kilt cover to be worn over your existing kilt?

Can you wear a tarp like a great kilt?

How do you store a kilt?

Do you have to wear a kilt to participate in a parade of clans / procession of clans at a Scottish festival?

What is 18 oz regimental fabric? How / where do you get 18 oz regimental weight tartan?

What is the typical length difference between a kilt waistcoat and a Saxon suit vest?

What are your expectations for the upcoming "Outlaw King" on Netflix?

What are some good kilted holiday looks, from formal to casual, and especially in between? Also how to use a wish list.

Why is wearing a kilt to show Heritage seemingly more of an American tradition than a Scottish one?

Do kilts come from Ireland or Scotland? Why were they worn?

Does the color of a hackle mean anything? Does hackle color have any significance?

What tartan do I wear if my surname is Smith?

I work at a Renaissance Festival, and often see men with kilts on backwards, pleats in front. How would you approach someone to let them know their kilt was on backwards, nicely?

Tasting Irn Bru!

Which tartans are you wearing today?

What are kilt pins and are the necessary?

What is an arisaid (or earasaid)?

Does a regular dress shirt look good with a Prince Charlie? Or do you have to wear a wing-collar tux shirt with a Prince Charlie?

Casual kilt looks for the office?

Can you make a kilt out of cotton?

Dry cleaning a kilt - tips

What do you say when someone says you are wearing a dress because you are wearing a kilt?

How much does a “non-stock” custom tartan cost and how much time is needed to get it?

Women's Military dress Uniform jacket with a kilted skirt?

What do you do if you have a pulled thread in your kilt fabric?

Have you considered doing a reality TV show about kilts?

How do you model a kilt? Does USA Kilts need kilt models?

Do you know how they developed the tartans for the Outlander series? We got the scoop! Plus lots of practical advice for the American kilted man such as ... what should you wear to a Renaissance Fair if you're going Celtic? What should you wear to a wedding...if you're just a kilted guest? 

And perhaps the most important topic we address this time is what do do if you have bought a bad kilt. 

 

Here's what we talk about this time around:

Why are ancient, weathered and muted tartans so popular?

Do we offer the Outlander Fraser tartan? How were the Outlander tartans developed?

Would you recommend coming to your store to get measured? Do your online instructions give the same result? Should I go to a regular men’s clothing store to get measured for my kilt order?

Also how we back-stop customers on measurements.

Do you wear a kilt every day?

Tartan Trews or tartan Trousers? Do you like them? Who should wear them and when?

(((Technical Difficulties!!!)))

My ancestor immigrated to America in 1668 & I believe he was a lowland Scot. Did lowland Scots wear kilts at this time? would he have worn a specific tartan?

Are all “Mc” or “Mac” names highland names?

How to measure for a kilt.

How hard is it to have a kilt hemmed? If you hem a kilt, how much or how little can you hem?

Dealing with kilt buyer’s remorse and how to vett a kilt vendor before you buy.

Best accessories for wearing a kilt to the renaissance faire?

Should I wear a kilt to a wedding if i’m only an attendee?