Kilts & Culture

    Try: The Dalmore 12-Year Scotch Whisky 12:37 - Talking about the new set. 21:50 Scotch scorecard? 23:04 Can you wear ghillie brogue laces with regular dress shoes? 26:28 How much difference is there between a 16oz heavy weight kilt and a 11oz lightweight kilt in terms of warmth? 29:22 Can you shorten a kilt if you have lost weight and now the kilt is riding lower on your body? 32:02 Is it appropriate to wear a kilt to a funeral? 35:48 Is there any significance to the number of tassels on a sporran? Or any of the other design features? Or is it all just fashion? How does a dress sporran cantle work? 39:49 Why does a kilt apron have fringe? 45:04 Would we ever offer an 18th century style jacket? Could this be an alternative to modern cut jackets if you want a more historical look for your kilt outfit? 48:20 Can you wear a sgian dubh without flashes? 50:43 Alternative hats with a kilt … Irish Walking Hat and Victorian Smoking Cap.   --------------------------------------------------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: sales@usakilts.com

This episode we take questions on highland dress styles for summer heat, how to vet and dry cleaner and what highland dress mistakes make us cringe.   PLUS... Can you convert a Saxon vest into a kilt vest? Ie. can you shorten a regular suit vest to make it look like a Highland wear vest? What is a good option for smart day-wear for (hot) summer months? Are there linen kilt jackets? Will a wool kilt be comfortable in hot weather? Where do you go to get a kilt cleaned and pressed? What questions should you ask a dry cleaner before letting them clean your kilt? Why wool kilts don’t need a lot of washing. How often do you have to clean a wool kilt? How Often Do You Wash Wool? What are the differences and difficulties in making kilts on the bias? (ie. the fabric is at an angle) What Is a “Bias Kilt”? Is there any “test” to determine if your horse hair sporran has real horse hair? What should you look for when buying a horsehair sporran from a web site?    When and why did kilt-wearers stop buttoning their jackets?  When Did Scots Stop Buttoning Up? My surname has no tartan but my grandmother's maiden name was McCoy - Sept of MacKay - so could I wear the MacKay tartan? How far back can you reach looking for clan or tartan affiliations before it becomes irrelevant? How Do You Confirm a Clan Connection?  - NOT SURE THIS ONE IS WORTH DOING Are Irish tartans determined by the county of one’s mother's family line? Does Family Matter With Irish Tartans? As there are few Irish clan/family tartans, would it be acceptable instead for a family to adopt a county tartan as it’s “clan tartan” or would that be bad form? Or is it better for an Irish family to design their own new tartan?  What Counts as an Irish Clan Tartan? Does USA Kilts make custom kilts for kids? In your opinion what has been the biggest faux pas when seeing kilted individuals besides wearing the pleats in front? What Makes You Cringe? How do you pin on a fly plaid so it stays put without damaging the jacket? Does the plaid brooch pin through the jacket fabric? How Do You Attach a Plaid Brooch? What are the traditions for solid color kilts and tartans? What Do Solid Color Kilts Signify?

This episode we do a blind taste test of three scotches! Here's what else happened... Shout out to Kilts & Culture on Facebook! Kilted Facebook Fun! Update on USA Kilts Store Construction What should I do if I get caught in the rain and my kilt is soaked?  Wet Wool Worries Have you ever been corrected on some aspect of Highland wear by someone who was wildly incorrect? How did you handle it? Be Cool When Someone’s Clueless What should you wear with a utility style kilt? Can you wear a utility kilt as part of a heritage outfit? How much can you dress a cargo kilt up?  Utility Kilt Tuxedo? What is the best cost-effective kilt hose option for taller guys? What about dress shoes? Tall Guy Woes and Kilt Hose Why do we wear Ghillie Brogues and Fly Plaids? Where Do Ghillie Brogues Come From? Tartans of the day and what our mannequin is wearing When did Tartan Day become an American holiday and such a big deal? Is it acceptable to wear a clan cap badge as a kilt pin? Cap Badge Kilt Pin? Do you think wearing a kilt as an everyday outfit is on the rise? In Scotland is the kilt worn more for formal events and not as much for everyday wear? Where do you think the kilt is most popular as casual wear? How Popular Are Kilts Now? How do you size for a sporran chain or strap?  DIY ways to adjust sporran chain lengths. Custom-fitting Your Sporran Chain

Intro - Welsh Cookies Why are some tartans more difficult to get than others? Why do mills stock support some and not others? How Tartan Collections work. Are tartan Tweeds the newest trend? How long will tartan tweed be popular? Is tartan tweed a fad? What can you do about itchy kilt hose? How do you handle someone taking a quick picture of you as your back is turned in the store?  Is it rude to take pictures of kilted men without their permission? Do kilts come in 4XL and 5XL sizes? Can you get a plus size kilt? How long does it take to get a custom tartan woven? Is it better to get more than one kilt if you are ordering a custom tartan? How can you make sure that ghillie brogues you order online will fit? How do you try on ghillie brogues for the first time? Is it okay to use Scottish colloquialisms, slang, spellings, accents and pronunciations if you’re American? Ie. dram, wee, can nae (not), etc. Is it rude or insulting to use a Scottish accent and slang? How popular are formal jackets in different colors? For example - a green Prince Charlie, a red velvet Montrose doublet, a blue Sheriffmuir. Do people actually wear bright colored formal highland dress jackets or is it too much? What makes a good wedding favor for a Celtic theme wedding or kilted wedding? Are some kilt pleating styles more resilient in keeping crisp pleats than others? What type of kilt is easiest to iron, care for and keep looking crisp and neat? Why do some Scottish or Irish family names NOT have a family tartan? Do you have to have a family tartan in order to wear a kilt?  

It's our Q&A session with questions form friends and customers of www.USAKilts.com. Here's what we discuss this time...    - Lightweight flat cap options?  - What is the difference in the feel and visual look of a PV kilt vs. a similarly weighted wool kilt? Are there any advantages of a PV kilt beyond price?  - Can you adjust the sleeve length on an Argyll jacket?  - How does one register a new tartan? Is it expensive to register a tartan? Does a woven sample have to be provided when you register a tartan?  - What is the difference between a Box Pleat and a Knife Pleat kilt in yardage, design, etc.?  - What did Rocky do on his birthday?  - Thoughts on wearing a fur sporran casually?  - Best sporran for hard work? Best rugged sporran for farm work, mechanic work, working outside?  - My daughters want to wear their own kilts - do they have to wear the family tartan? What is the etiquette for children wearing tartan?  - I have recently heard about the military putting elastic in the pleats of their kilts. Do you see any problems this could cause or any benefits such as sitting down and getting in and out of a car?  - Is Saltire Blue the most traditional color for a Scottish hat like a tam or Balmoral?  - When wearing a vest or formal Highland jacket, can a 1.5 inch belt be worn to carry modern sporran hangers? Would this be a good option for a man with a large belly? Plus ideas on how to make sporrans a little easier for big guys.

Our Top Ten Practical UK Travel Tips! Rocky and Erik go over the basics of what to expect when you travel to Scotland, Ireland or other parts of the UK.

We start with trying some British chocolate. The leave with a bad taste in our mouths from discussing the worst, absolute ugliest tartans we have ever seen or had to sew into a kilt. Some of the items discussed this week... Intro and try - British candy bars vs. American How often do you travel in your kilt? How do you handle airport security in a kilt? What detergent is best for washing a kilt? How do you wash a kilt at home? When wearing a sweater vest, do you cut it shorter and re-hem it to wear with a kilt, fold the bottom hem up inside, or just leave it as is? Doc Martens with a kilt? Are combat boots standard footwear now? Or are they still “edgy” like they were in the 1970s and 1980s? How do you clean bagpiper’s spats? Why are fur sporrans usually saved for more formal events? When selecting a pelt sporran (a sporran with fur like a dress sporran), which pelts are the  most popular? Which sporran pelts are the most used historically? Discussion of exotic sporrans. What is the difference between a diced Glengarry and a regular black Glengarry hat? What is the cringiest / ugliest tartan you have ever seen?

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: sales@usakilts.com

    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: Sales@USAKilts.com

  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?

Hi All! In this episode we try some Scotch...and somehow are still able to go on to answer a lot of questions.  Our sponsor spot this week talks about our very own Wish List Tool. Here's the Link:https://www.usakilts.com/customer/account/login/   And here are the topics... Scotch tasting - Lagavulin Recommendations on packing kilts in luggage to minimize wrinkles when traveling? What are good knocking about shoes to wear with a kilt? What are the best shoes for a woman to wear with a kilt or kilted skirt? What is the best option for a dress jacket for someone who is both large and also very tall? What height / size were the tallest and biggest customers we have ever fitted for a kilt or jacket? How do you combat the “front pleat popping out” problem? Or can you? How can I get my own personal custom tartan? What is the average cost for tartan design service/assistance?          Short Answer: 2 hours $150, 4 hours $300, Complete Design + Registration: $500 Is the Ulster tartan a universal tartan anyone can wear? Is there any protocol or tradition to help you choose an appropriate kilt pin? Plus refresher on kilt pin placement. Authentic shoes or ghillie brogues for wearing to the Renaissance faire or other historical events? What are the colors of Celtic Iberia? When buying a great kilt, does height come into play or just waist size?

Why are some tartans only available in certain “weights”. 13-oz or 16-oz but not both? Head-wear options for Highland dress? When you run errands, what is your outfit composed of? Can you wear a newsboy cap with a kilt? Do you watch Outlander? If I wear a PV kilt, should I say it is not a real kilt but just an imitation to save money? Is a non-wool kilt a real kilt? Differences between Kilt belts, Kilt straps, sporran chains and sporran straps. What’s the history behind the Irish saffron kilt? Kilt pins for men and women both? And how do you wear a kilt pin? Origins of the kilt pin. Is it true that Queen Victoria is responsible for the kilt pin? Fabric durability suggestions. How well do kilt fabrics hold up to rugged outdoor work? What is the best way to keep your modesty in a kilt? Especially if you have to climb up a ladder in a kilt or get down on your hands and knees working on the floor? I want to get a lapeled waistcoat in my family tartan. On your website it asks if is it is to be worn with a kilt or pants. What’s the difference? Outerwear in the Northeast during winter.    --- peacoat/bomber/eisenhower tweeds

 In this episode, we discuss balancing tradition with modern fashion and and modern thought about style. How do you express heritage while also expressing yourself? Can a traditional fashion be to much or over the top? Should you care?    Should a husband and wife wear the same tartan? His tartan? Or should they / can they wear the tartans of their individual families? Are there different types of sporrans? How do sporran types differ in terms of size, shape, capacity, etc? Do you have to wear a Jabot with a Montrose Doublet or can you wear other types of ties? Technical difficulties, Soccer and Erik sings the theme song! What is the best way to size down a kilt if you’ve lost a considerable amount of weight? Why there is sometimes extra cloth in a kilt? Extra cloth, lifetime kilts and the state of kilt making as an industry. Is it proper or improper to wear a tartan necktie with a tartan kilt? Is it odd for a woman to wear a man’s kilt? Can you mix brown and black leathers? Do my shoes need to match my kilt belt? Can I wear brown leathers (Sporran, belt, etc) with a kilt that’s primarily blue or some other bright color? After you put on your kilt,  do you put on the sporran and then the belt, or do you put on the belt and then the Sporran?  Does the sporran strap go under or over the waist belt? Can you wear spats as part of formal Highland wear? Do Germans wear a kilt as traditional dress? What does German Heritage kilt mean?

Lucas is back for the second half of his visit with us in the studio. We cover a lot fo hoighland wear territory, but we also get some relly cool insights into the state of bagpiping in the modern age. Here we go..... How difficult (what’s the cost) is it to “let out” a kilt? The first kilt I bought seems to have shrunk over the years. Can a kilt be expanded? Can you resize a kilt? How well do highland pipe skills translate to playing other forms of bagpipe? Is there such a thing as 16 oz poly-viscose? Is it ok for someone without any celtic family history to wear a kilt? I’m mostly German, Italian and French ancestry. What a tartan is best for me to wear? Best outfit options for a Scottish backyard wedding? Are stock size kilt jackets ok for men who are bigger around the middle than the chest? Is a custom jacket better for a big guy? Is there an electric set of pipes? Are there electronic bagpipes? Is there any significance to the 'weathered' or 'muted' version of tartans? Or is it just a look/style type of thing? Are Argyll jackets loser or more boxy than regular suit jackets? I have large calves and have trouble finding kilt hose that stretch and fit. Any ideas? What is the proper way to wear a kilt? Around the belly button or around the hips? Can you wear a Sgian Dubh and Dirk at the same time? What’s your preferred method and approach to practicing bagpipes on your own? (In other words, what do you recommend in terms of amount of time spent in practice, and what to focus on in that practice?) Are there different mouth openings for different pipe chanters? How many yards do you need to make a kilt?

In this episode Erik is on vacation, so we are joined by our resident bagpipe expert, Lucas. Lucas is also our store manager here so he fields plenty of questons about highland dress as well as bagpipes. Here's what we covered this session:   I have an older set of pipes, lamb bag. The bag is stiff and brittle and they no longer play. I was given them years ago, and they sat for most of the time. How much does it cost to have the bag replaced and the pipes checked over? What is an ancient kilt? Is an ancient kilt the same as a great kilt? Who invented the short kilt? Was the modern kilt invented by an Englishman? Have you designed any custom tartans for customers? How can you tell if a tartan will look better to pleated to the stripe or the sett? I would like to get a tweed jacket and kilt accessories (vest, tie, new hose, flashes and sporran) that compliment the kilt I already have. Do you offer consultation on what looks good with a kilt someone already owns? Should pipe bands always have all the members using the same chanter reeds? What steps should I take to learn the bagpipes? What’s involved in making a kilt from a rare tartan? How do you price them? I ordered my first kilt from you. Any words of wisdom or guidance? How high should kilt hose be and how to you adjust the cuff? Especially if you are a shorter person -- what do you do with the excess fabric? Is it OK to mix metals in accessories? What is the proper way to wear a kilt? What is formal headwear for Highland dress and when do you wear it? Is a PV kilt warm enough to wear in the winter? How do you stay warm in a kilt? I would like to wear my kilt this winter. I live in upstate New York. Can you play tunes from other countries on the highland bagpipes? Can you wear the tartan of a different branch of your clan or tartans of other clans? Tweed kilts and contemporary kilts with pockets such as 21st Century Kilts designs.  

In this session we wound up answering a number of questions about accessory details. The watch-word for us is always "context." However it IS possible to go too casual or too "out there" with a kilted outfit. We also offer some basic advice on how to get your spouse to wear a kilt for the first time.  Here's  the complete question list: What kilt jacket can I use for my wedding and also other events afterwards? What is a Piper Flex jacket? What is a ruche tie and are they any good? How often should you wash a kilt? How do you wash a Jacobite shirt? How do you find a good dry cleaner? What are some traditional Scottish headwear options? Which is better for heat - a five-yard or eight-yard kilt? Klt hose or no hose for casual summer wear - and do shoe types matter? Are Jacobite shirts / Highland shirts / Ghillie shirts traditional or just a costume? When does a shirt get too busy to wear with a kilt? Can you wear a striped shirt with a kilt? Kilt hose for guys with thick calves? Can you wear compression socks with a kilt? How do I get my husband to wear a kilt? Kilt with sandals?

A mini-episode we pulled together. Short and sweet and including the answer to why you don't see purple tartans in Scottish history. Here's the order of questons for this week: Any new USAK tartans coming out? Can a kilt be altered after weight loss? / Can you resize and kilt?  Where can I find the status of my USAK order? Does USA Kilts offer Tartan Trews in Polyviscose? / What are tartan trews?  What is a good kilt for playing golf? / Do you play golf in a kilt? How can I get a custom tartan for personal or band use? Do leather straps on a kilt matter? Why don’t you see a lot of clan tartans with the color purple in them? Are there Marvel superhero tartans?

Questions answered in this episode:   What tartans can I wear if my name doesn’t have one associated with it? Can I wear a kilt belt with a Prince Charlie jacket? When is it appropriate to wear a hackle on a Glengarry hat? Why is the depth of pleats different from kilt to kilt? Why would I need more than one kilt? How did Rocky start in the kilt business? How do you use a public restroom in a kilt? How do you fit a kilt when the hip measurement is smaller than the waist measurement? Ie. If your belly is bigger than your hips or you have “no butt”. Is it OK to wear a hat with my kilt? What kind of hat should I wear with my kilt? Can you wear a Fly Plaid with a Tuxedo? How do I plan a kilt outfit for my wedding?

In this episode: When is a 5-yard kilt better than an 8-yard kilt? How do you find your family tartan if the name is unusual? What is a Scottish Bonnet / Balmoral / Tam? Can you wear a dress word with a kilt? What do we think of cargo pockets for kilts? Why do we use Velcro on our Casual Kilts? Why is a traditional kilt worn so high on the belly? Are Sgian Dubhs sharp? How do you determine what shoes to wear with a kilt? Do you wear athletic socks or kilt hose with hiking boots? Can you wear sneakers with a kilt? What is your favorite black boot? What is the proper placement of a Fly Plaid? Does USA Kilts make solid color kilts? Does USA Kilts make Day Plaids? Sashes and Renn fair kilt outfits  

Hi Guys! A slightly shorter episode, but some good questions which were submitted to us from our customers and fans... Do you have to be a bagpiper to wear a Piper’s plaid? What’s the difference between a Scottish and an Irish kilt outfit? What is a Brian Boru jacket? How do you do a handfasting? What’s the difference between a Dirk and a Sgian Dubh? Does an 8-yard kilt really have 8 yards of cloth in it? What is the difference between 13-oz and 16-oz tartan cloth? Should I wear a tweed jacket to a wedding, or should I wear a Prince Charlie or Argyll ? How do I choose which family tartan to wear? When wearing a tie with a kilt, how long should it be? Are some tartans harder to get than others?    

Thanks for joining us again! This is our second "beta episode". We appreciate those of you who are interested enough in kilts and Celtic / gaelic culture to "get in on the gound floor". Towards the end of this episode, we dicsuss one of our favorite topics -- how to work up the never to wear a kilt for the first time!   Remember: any products we refer to can be seen at www.usakilts.com.Want to ask us a question? Or have a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email: sales@usakilts.com.   Kilt questions answered in this episode: What is your opinion of tweed kilts? Like/Dislike? How well they endure regular wear? What makes a kilt jacket formal? Why is 27" not a length option for the Casual Kilt? Do you make tartan neckties in PV? What got you started in the kilt industry? What is the best scotch and the worst scotch you have ever tried? How big are the belt loops on a premier kilt? Can they fit wide belts? Can you wear a typical American cut suit jacket with a kilt? How long does a kilt last? How do you wash kilt hose? Do they shrink? When do you wear a fly plaid? How do you keep a fly plaid brooch in place? How many kits does Rocky own? How can you get swatches of kilt fabric before you buy a kilt? Where does the kilt pin go? What is a kilt pin for? How do you work up the courage to wear a kilt in public for the first time?  Which tartan mill’s tartan colors are the most authentic - the most accurate?

Do you make kilts for women? Do I need to color match my sporran to my kilt? How big do your kilts go? Clan Macaulay tartan? Is it common to see people in Scotland or Ireland wearing kilts today? Tartans for sports teams Is there a difference between USA Kilts kilts and kilts made in Scotland? Why do some clans have more than one tartan? What color kilt hose do you wear to a black tie event? Is it ok for women to wear sporrans? What kinds of footwear can you wear with a kilt? Why do Ghillie Brogues have those long laces? Is a semi-dress sporran acceptable as day wear? When wearing a formal kilt for a wedding, is it appropriate to wear knife? Is it necessary to wear a Sgain Dubh?