[urban5]

I am new to the forum, and have a question about tartans. My heritage is McRae, My grandmother being my closest relative named McRae. I am having trouble finding kilts that are already made with the McRae tartan design. I do not have a lot of money to spend on having a custom kilt made, so I was wondering if any of you knew of a commercially available kilt that would be acceptable for a McRae to where, or where I would buy the material to make one for myself. Any info would be appreciated.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Here's a link that will take you to a list of Tartans.

List of tartans

[Kilted-Marine]

You may want to consider a universal tartan - Scottish national, Pride of Scotland, or one that pertains to a profession you have had IE firefighter Army - Marine Corps

Black Watch is also a good stand by

Many Consider Stewart Kilts Universal

Check the merchant page for kilt vendors and see what they have for universal tartan

your clans website is here Clan MacRae Home

[Teuchter Loon]

i've said it before and i'll say it again; wear whichever tartan you like the look of! my surname is Davie and yes, i do have 2 kilts in Davidson tartans, but i also have a Gordon, Macleod, Grampian and a plain black one. trust me when i say, "nobody will know or care whether the tartan you're wearing is or isn't your family one".

the vast majority of Scots don't own their clan kilts, they just hire whatever their local kilt shop has in stock as and when required.

[Raptor]

As above... my family is Laurie. Fortunately, Laurie is a sept of Gordon, which are available all over. If I couldn't get my clan kilts so readily, I'd be wearing all sorts.

[Riverkilt]

It is worth saving up for a wool tartan kilt in your clan colors. Many ways to afford it. Some kiltmakers have a two payment plan. Pay about half down so the kiltmaker can order up the fabric from Scotland. Pay the balance when the kilt is complete. Sort of a save up as you go plan. I know my kiltmaker (www.kathyskilts.com) has such a plan.

If you deal direct with a kiltmaker (do avoid the middle men who farm out their kiltmaking) they can help you choose which McRae tartan, which weight etc.

You don't say where you are living on the planet - but if you happen to have a true kiltmaker within driving distance it'll be worth it and you'll have a kilt that will last a lifetime and that you'll be proud to strap on.

[Teuchter Loon]

indeed. better to save for 1 hand-made trad. than to buy 3 or 4 cheapo kilts.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Or you can get 2 or 3 "cheapos" and wear them a bit as you save up some more money. Figure out which tartan you really like best, sell them for half what you paid for them, and then get a traditional kilt made in your favorite tartan. It sure would suck to pay 500-600 bucks on a kilt you really don't care all that much for.

[ChattanCat]

Typically a kilt maker will take two installments. First to order the fabric and a second payment for the balance before he/she ships the kilt out. Not sure how much you want to pay for a kilt but a box pleated kilt is quite affordable and is traditional.

[Chris Webb]

Although you are free to wear any tartan you want to wear there is something to be said for wearing one that you have some sort of association with. You WILL get the question, "Is that your family tartan?," if you are wearing tartan kilts. It's really no big deal, but I'll admit that I like it when I can say, "Yes, it is!" I also wear the Army tartan a lot since I'm an Army Veteran. Stuart Royal is nice too, and nobody is going to argue over whether or not you can wear that one.

As for expensivo or cheapo, well, it just depends on whether or not you are going to play or profile in your kilt. My advice, for all it is worth, is to start with a cheapo and give it a try, if you really like it then get a few more cheapos so you are not wearing the same danged kilt all the time. Then if you want a special occasion kilt then go for the gold. By far the most comfortable to wear kilts I own are SportKilts, and I get just as many compliments in them as I do in any of my other kilts, no matter how nice they are.

Kilt ON!

Chris Webb

[Lythgoe]

Teuchter Loon, on 31 July 2010 - 12:19 AM, said:

i've said it before and i'll say it again; wear whichever tartan you like the look of! my surname is Davie and yes, i do have 2 kilts in Davidson tartans, but i also have a Gordon, Macleod, Grampian and a plain black one. trust me when i say, "nobody will know or care whether the tartan you're wearing is or isn't your family one".

the vast majority of Scots don't own their clan kilts, they just hire whatever their local kilt shop has in stock as and when required.

I agree.