USA Kilts

Kilts & Culture Cast: Ep 10

On this Episode, the guys talk about the history of Irish tartans, brown shoes, wearing flannels with kilts, and more!

Content originally aired in December 2019.

Join us every two weeks for another episode of one of our podcasts here on our channel or for our Live recording the first Friday of every month on Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and TikTok. 

-Would you wear a kilt and Argyll outfit to a job interview? 

-  Are hairless exotic sporrans cool or too weird to wear? Ie. day sporrans or non-fur dress sporrans made from exotic hides such as buffalo, alligator, boar…

-  Do fancy sporran chains, like the ones with plackets instead of links, have meaning or are they just for show? 

-Are there any Nordic or Scandinavian tartans? Any German tartans?

- What do you make of the “English Kilt”? The one that has the English flag as the design on the fabric instead of tartan? 

- Does Ireland have any historical tartans?

- Does the Blackwatch Tartan have negative connotations or a bad reputation due to it being worn by Hanoverian troops in the 1745 Uprising? Are there any other tartans that might inspire negative feelings?

- Should the stone on your plaid brooch or sgian dubh match a color in your kilt’s tartan? Is there any meaning to the color of the stone?

- How much of the flashes should be shown beneath the cuff of the kilt hose?

- How high up should your kilt hose come? Where should flash ribbons be located?

- Can you wear a plaid flannel shirt with a tartan kilt?

-What kind of shirt do you wear with a Sheriffmuir jacket?

- I was recently in Scotland and was told that traditionally you go through your mother’s line for your tartan. Is this true?  

- What is the significance of the three tassels on a sporran?

-Any suggestions for ladies accessories to coordinate with a man’s kilt?

- If I’m wearing a dark Stewart kilt and Jacobite shirt (Highland shirt), what kilt hose would look best?

-  What is the origin of the square buttons on the Prince Charlie jacket?

-  Since brown shoes are currently popular with suits, could brown shoes be an option for formal or semi-formal kilt wear / Highland dress?

- If the general rule is to match the leathers of shoes, belt, sporran etc., is it odd to wear brown shoes and a brown sporran with a kilt that has black straps?

- Given how complex it is to make a kilt from scratch...what do you find more satisfying - making a kilt to the sett or the stripe? Tartan or tweed?

-Is it “overboard” to wear a Clan Crest buckle...and sporran...and kilt pin together?

- tARTAN cHALLENGE!!!

-I have been told that the kilt in its present skirt-like design was actually invented by an Englishman. Is this true? 

- When is it too early in the day to wear a dress sporran? Can you wear just a vest and a dress sporran for a semi-fancy look?

- Why is there no lining in a Poly Viscose kilt?

- Do you find kilt hose warm enough when wearing a kilt in winter?

- Is there a difference between box pleats and military box pleats? Should I consider either for my USMC tartan kilt?

Tartan Talk ep7: Brian Wilton

Rocky sits down with Brian Wilton, creator of the Scottish Tartan Authority. They talk about history, the tartan database and more! 

If you wanna get social with other kilt enthusiasts, go check out the Kilts & Culture group over on Facebook. You can also find USA Kilts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or over at our website at usakilts.com

Haggis Hunting ep4

Based on Erik's master list and a roll of the dice, here are the myths we bust this session:

-“Going Regimental is a Must"

-"The Great Kilt is the only REAL kilt"

-"It MUST be tartan to be a true kilt"

-"Hunting tartans are for hunting in"

-"William Wallace wore a kilt in Braveheart! It's cool so it must be accurate"

If you wanna get social with other kilt enthusiasts, go check out the Kilts & Culture group over on Facebook. You can also find USA Kilts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or over at our website at usakilts.com

Kilts & Culture Cast: Ep 9

On this Episode, the guys talk about pipe band uniforms, creating the K&C tartan, solid color kilts, and more!

Content originally aired in November 2019.

Join us every two weeks for another episode of one of our podcasts here on our channel or for our Live recording the first Friday of every month on Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and TikTok. 

-Our pipe band is considering changing our uniform style. What is a good alternative to the old standard black Argyll jackets and vests, military tunics, etc.? 

- Erik’s dream Sheriffmuir

- When designing a tartan, what is the ideal sett size? What is the ideal pattern repeat size for a tartan?

-When designing a new tartan, how can you tell how much of a repeat you will see on the apron of your kilt? 

- When will the official Kilts & Culture FB Group tartan be ready?

- Do solid-color kilts have a different pleat depth than tartan kilts? Are solid-color kilts harder to make? 

- Is there an optimal pleat depth for getting good “swish” from a kilt?

- Are checkered top kilt hose a thing? What are some good kilt hose color options to go with ancient or muted tartans?

- Would medieval “leg wraps” be good to wear with a kilt?   

-What would be a good tartan to wear for Christmas and the Holidays?

- How many kilt wearers have a primary kilt and a second kilt just for special occasions?

- How well will a five-yard kilt dress up for formal occasions? Can a 5-yard kilt look good for formal or do you have to have an 8-yard kilt with your Prince Charlie?

- What is the difference between and modern tartan and an ancient tartan?

- Why is it so hard to find Ghillie Brogues in wide and long foot sizes? How much do you have to spend? What is a good alternative?

- My roots trace back to McKee, a sept of Mackay Clan. I do not pay for a membership to be part of the Mackay Clan Society but would like to wear the clan badge kilt pin and such. Is it considered bad form to wear clan regalia if you do not pay dues to your clan society?

- Are Clan Societies worth joining?

- If your glengary is too large and has overhang at the back, is it possible to make it smaller? 

- How can you reduce chafing when wearing a kilt? Talcum powder?

- Can you wear rugby socks with a kilt?

- Would a bowler hat (derby hat) look good with a kilt?

- How do you pee in a kilt?

- What is the pouch thing in the front of the kilt called and what is it for? (ie. What is a sporran?)

- Belt with a semi-dress sporran and vest - good look or no?

- How often do you wear Ghillie Brogues? Often? Just for formal? 

- I am seeing a lot of negative connotations from the Scottish towards people from the States. I see they think we are stupid , fat, lazy, etc.......... How true is this? And why...... Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. 

Kilts & Culture Cast Ep 8

On this Episode, the guys talk about tweed, what to wear in cold weather, college/university tartans, and more!

 

Content originally aired in September 2019.

 

Join us every two weeks for another episode of one of our podcasts here on our channel or for our Live recording the first Friday of every month on Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and TikTok. 

- I have seen photos of people wearing their hose at different distances below the knee. Is there a correct way to judge this?

- Why isn't USA kilts on the recommended list of Scottish designers & weavers, for the Tartan Register?

- Wearing a wide kilt belt is tight and uncomfortable when I sit, so I tend to wear a kilt with a jeans belt or none at all. I'm a skinny guy, and my natural waist is low. How can I change how I wear the kilt so I can enjoy my fancy kilt belt? Is it a faux pas to wear a jeans belt?

-Our tartans for the day. Talking about tweed weathered tartans.

-What is your go-to tartan? You can only pick one.

- Is it true that you can only wear your own clan’s tartan?

- Any advice on sewing with wool? Whether making a kilt or another garment?

- Where can you get replacement tassels for a dress sporran? Which is better - straight tassels or cross tassels?

- Rocky’s tweed kilt and Can you make a “tweed” kilt out of poly-viscose material?

- Would you wear a kilt while riding a motorcycle?

- Does a tartan bow-tie, or any not-black bow-tie, constitute semi-formal? And if so, do you have to wear a semi-formal sporran with it?

-What counts as White Tie or Black Tie in Highland Dress?

- Is a Sheriffmuir doublet formal?

-Will we be expanding our PV tartan range any time soon?

- Can you describe the differences between your various kilt models?

- Can a great kilt be worn casually like a modern kilt?

-Can you dress up a Semi-Traditional kilt the same way you dress up a wool kilt?

- What are the pros, cons, and uses of a day plaid? Is there any sort of faux pas for wearing one?

- What kilt material is best for cold weather? Wool or something else?

- If you want to wear a sweater with your kilt, how do you choose the sweater color? What type of sweater is best?

- Ball cap and polo shirt with a kilt? Yes or no?

- Challenge to Erik!

-How did you get started in making kilts? Who taught you? Did you go to a specialty school or did you have a mentor? Who does the quality control after a kilt is made? Does anyone review the finished custom kilts? What is the future of kilt crafting?

- Is it ever “too late” to start wearing a kilt? Should someone in their 70s start wearing the kilt? Which type of kilt is best then?

- My four-year-old son wears a kilt to school at least once a week. Going forward, how can I help him deal with being teased or bullied for wearing the kilt?

-Can I get my College / University tartan?

- I make my own kilts using non-tartan plaids simply due to cost. Is there any reason to believe that I'm doing anything wrong by doing this? Some folks turn their noses up at utility kilts because they're not “true” or traditional kilts. Do folks feel the same with non-tartan kilts?

Tartan Talks Episode 6: Locharron

Rocky sits down with Keith Russel from Locharron to talk about the "state of the union" in the tartan industry and trends they are each seeing, and more!

 

If you wanna get social with other kilt enthusiasts, go check out the Kilts & Culture group over on Facebook. You can also find USA Kilts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or over at our website at usakilts.com

Tartan Talks Episode 5: House of Edgar

Rocky sits down with Bill and Simon from House of Edgar to talk about the textile industry in Scotland, the kilt business, and more!

 

If you wanna get social with other kilt enthusiasts, go check out the Kilts & Culture group over on Facebook. You can also find USA Kilts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or over at our website at usakilts.com

Kilts & Culture Cast Ep 7

On this Episode, the guys talk about yard work in a kilt, some different hats, the point of having fringe, and more!

 

Content originally aired in August 2019.

 

Join us every two weeks for another episode of one of our podcasts here on our channel or for our Live recording the first Friday of every month on Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and TikTok. 

-Can you wear ghillie brogue laces with regular dress shoes?

-How much difference is there between a 16oz heavy weight kilt and a 11oz lightweight kilt in terms of warmth?

-Can you shorten a kilt if you have lost weight and now the kilt is riding lower on your body?

- Is it appropriate to wear a kilt to a funeral?

- 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?

- Why does a kilt apron have fringe?

- 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?

- Can you wear a sgian dubh without flashes?

-Alternative hats with a kilt … Irish Walking Hat and Victorian Smoking Cap. 

- What about long kilts for men? Like mid-calf length?

-Is there a traditional-looking kilt that can handle rough work outdoors?

- When kilts get advertised, they might be called “light weight” or “medium weight”, made of different fabrics, and also either available as 5-yard or 8-yard. What do these terms mean in a sales pitch?

- A great kilt made of Polyester Viscose ... why or why not?

- What were the kilts of some of the New York regiments that wore them during the Civil War like? Since they wore kilts then, why is New York one of the only states without an official tartan now?

-What’s a reasonable price to dry clean a kilt? Can you, or should you, try to negotiate a price with a dry cleaner to get better service? What do you think is a fair price for cleaning and hand-ironing a 'proper' kilt?

- Is there an EMS tartan? Have you ever made one to represent a private ambulance service?

-Is a kilt inappropriate attire for church?

- Is there such a thing as formal morning dress with a kilt?

-I have decided to try to sew a kilt, partly as therapy for my hands. What would you recommend as a fabric to sew a first-time kilt? I figured I would use something cheap such as polyester or poly/cotton blends until I get the process down.

-What’s the best way to learn how to make a kilt?

-Construction update.

-When wearing the "white tie equivalent" of Highland Dress (lace cuffs, lace ascot, regulation doublet or sheriffmuir), should you wear a collared shirt and should you tie your ascot under the collar?

Haggis Hunting Ep3 featuring Ally the Piper

Ally the Piper visited us for a few days in March so we invited her to join us for a 'Haggis Hunting' recording. Join us as we discuss our experiences as digital content makers - the audiences, the challenges, the joys and the weirdness. 

Follow Ally: Ally the Piper’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PiperAlly Ally’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/piper.ally 

 

If you wanna get social with other kilt enthusiasts, go check out the Kilts & Culture group over on Facebook. You can also find USA Kilts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or over at our website at usakilts.com

Tartan Talks Episode 4: Kyle Dawson

SPECIAL NOTE: KILTS & CULTURE WILL BE ATTENDING TARTAN DAY IN NYC, 2023! LEARN MORE HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/49669...

Rocky sat down with Kyle Dawson; President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee.

This was a really fun interview! Grab a dram, relax and enjoy learning about what all goes into making one of the world's greatest celebrations of Scottish culture - New York City's Tartan Week!

From their site:

"The National Tartan Day New York Committee was formed in 2002 and obtained official nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in 2003 to organize the NYC Tartan Day Parade and all the associated activities that make up NYC Tartan Week. In following its mission to celebrate and spread awareness of the contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States, the committee continually partners with organizations throughout New York City, the United States, and Scotland to present opportunities for those who have or identify with Scottish heritage to connect through more than a dozen Scottish-themed events each year during NYC Tartan Week."

Learn more here: https://www.nyctartanweek.org/