I figured instead of combing the internet for potentially less-than-reliable sources on this, I'd come here to ask around for advice.
I need to get my hands on a couple kilts. I need 5 of them with a specific tartan, plus a sash of the same tartan. Cost is a bit of an issue so I need to figure out what the best and most cost effective way of doing this is. I figure I have two routes: 1) Order the kilts from a kilt-maker and have them arrive already made; or 2) Order the fabric and find a reliable (and, obviously, cheap) seamstress/tailor to make the kilts. My question is this: which road is cheaper? And, subsequently, where would I go to find these things? Especially if I go the route of having them made with fabric I purchase, how does one go looking for someone who can make kilts? I know many of you are kilt aficionados or at least know where one might go for this sort of stuff. The quality does not have to be spectacularly high as they're likely only going to be worn once, but they should still look presentable. Also, if I order them pre-made, is it very difficult (or expensive) to have them altered to fit correctly? I do also need a source for finding the rest of the accessories that go along with what one wears for formal kilt-wearing occasions (like the tux jacket.) I have a year before I need them, so time is not very pressing, but I would like to get my duckies in a row while I have the time to spare.
Thanks all!
My husband got his kilt from Thistle and Shamrock off of Belleview near 1-25, however it was rather pricy! I do know of another Irish/Scottish shop in olde town Littleton, but I do not know if they sell kilts.
If you are going for authenticity, that may be the way to go. I can tell you that my husband's kilt is a musician's tartan, not a grand tartan, and it ran him over $400.
Hope that helped! :-\
Here's a thread from the garbing thread that might help, Zoe:
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=16015.0
Zoe
You have several places online where you can get premade kilts.
Stillwaterkilts.com is very good but not a great choice on tartans
Sportkilts.com very good but once again not alot of choices on tartans
You also have the shop from faire just do a search for Kommando kilts will get you their info maybe they will be willing to work with a worker from faire.
Also try http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/ i have considered buying from them but they also have rental options if they have the tartan you are looking for.
Also in garbing there has been a topic of this running for a while http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=687.0 Hope that helps.
Also i have bought from Stillwater, Sportkilts and the people from faire and have not yet been disapointed.
I assume this is for your wedding so you may want to look into the rental option if they have your tartan.
Renting is definitely an option as long as we can find the correct tartan, I should have mentioned that in my first post. Thanks for reminding me.
Reading on the Kilts and stuff sight that there $175 rental package they can pay a little extra to keep the tartan along with the price just in case.
Look at their list you may be surprised, i was when i was shopping for great kilts. They are the only ones that have the galloway tartan which also falls under the macfarlane tartan
Argh, those are great prices for renting the whole formal set....and they don't have the tartan we need. Might have to look into if there's another tartan that falls under or is related to ours.
What tartan are you looking for?
Bruce.
Maybe contact and ask if they would do a bruce for rental or you may have to buy the kilt but rent the rest.
i did find a couple sites that will sell the fabric
http://www.scotweb.co.uk/buy/tartan-fabric/material/31984?showtab=results
http://www.scotchcorner.com/mill/tartans-b/bruce.html
hope this helps Zoe
Feel free to contact me if i can help in any way.
Gary
Zoe, go scope out http://xmarksthescot.com - particularly the sponsored merchants. Check out their websites to see if they have what they need. Good luck!
Bruce is one you're not likely to find for rental. You did specify presentable- Sport Kilt is a really bad option for wedding kilts. They're essentially the kilted version of sweat pants. Someone else gave you the link for Celtic Croct (www.kilts-n-stuff.com) so all I can do is vouch for them. Really, if the guys don't want to own and will never wear the kilts again, there's no reason not to rent a generic tartan. It really is the most realistic and cost effective option.
Has anyone done business with Kiltrentalusa.com? They have a formal rental package with the Bruce tartan on a "limited" basis so we might be able to get a hold of that one there. Otherwise, I think since the rental package is about the best prices we're going to get, we're probably just going to go through kilts-n-stuff.com and get either a kilt that's very similar to the Bruce or go for an All-Scotland. The trouble is getting the beau to decide what he wants to do, because his kilt colors determine my bridesmaid colors. Sigh. Thank goodness we have plenty of time!
Ok I gotta ask what do you need them for? Just wondering.
For my wedding. :) Which is why we're going for something that looks nice but doesn't have to be extremely durable. We're leaning toward renting, because that way we can get a whole formal wear package as opposed to spending all the money on having the kilts made and presumably never worn again.
An alternative to the Bruce kilt is the Blackwatch. It was created in 1725 to designate members of the 'police force' assigned to watch over the clans. Since all clans assigned members to the force, the tartan was designed from the colors common to all, and all clans were authorized to wear it...
Just a thought.
Oh, and CONGRATS!
(and, as a gift - if you would like a photographer for your wedding; not to replace the one you have, just someone else getting in the way on your big day who happens to have a camera, and a digital studio)
Great to know, thanks! That will be helpful.
(And I'll keep that in mind about the photos, thanks! :) )