poly-viscose kilt?

[LongShanks]

I have never owned a cheep kilt nor have I ever seen on. The Question: Do poly-viscose kilts look lit poly or is it wool like.

[crsbryan]

If you get a good quality one, they look and feel very good. I have a few casual kilts from USA Kilts, and while you'd never confuse one for a heavy weight wool, they are high quality material. I'm sure you can find some poorer examples, but a reputable maker with material from a good mill will make a fine kilt.

[Riverkilt]

In all the years I've worn poly-viscose (polyester and rayon) think I've only had one person, a seamstress, question the material and she liked it.

Its not wool looking but the tartans are so sharp you don't notice it. It certainly holds up better and looks more wool-like that poly-cotton.

Here are some close ups that may help you.

[rondo]

I own 2 PV kilts, both from USA Kilts, both Semi-traditional, from 5 feet away no one can tell they are PV. Also, since they can be machine washed I am more confident wearing them most places where I might worry wearing a wool tank.
Rondo
Holyrood

US Navy

[The Wizard of BC]

Please remember that all the kilts you see advertised on the web as P/V may not actually be P/V. The term P/V is short for a blend on Polyester and Viscose or what in N. America is known as Rayon.

So P/V is actually a Polyester/Rayon blend.

There is only one weaving company in the world that weaves a kilt quality Poly/Rayon blend and that company is Marton Mills who are located just NW of Leeds England.

All the Poly/Rayon woven by Marton Mills is 12oz per linear yard, double-width. For an 8 yard kilt the fabric alone will cost you just about $100.00 us dollars.

If you see a kilt advertised as costing $100.00 and they say it is P/V, I'm sorry, it's not. If they are advertising 16oz P/V, again, I'm sorry but that is just not true.

I have handled a lot of kilts advertised as P/V that are actually Acrylic or a Polyester/Acrylic blend. None of them come close to the true Marton Mills P/V.

Right now, Rocky at USA Kilts and myself are two of the very few dealing with Marton Mills P/V. I guarantee that there will be more in the future.

[Kylahullu]

Please remember that all the kilts you see advertised on the web as P/V may not actually be P/V. The term P/V is short for a blend on Polyester and Viscose or what in N. America is known as Rayon.

So P/V is actually a Polyester/Rayon blend.

There is only one weaving company in the world that weaves a kilt quality Poly/Rayon blend and that company is Marton Mills who are located just NW of Leeds England.

All the Poly/Rayon woven by Marton Mills is 12oz per linear yard, double-width. For an 8 yard kilt the fabric alone will cost you just about $100.00 us dollars.

If you see a kilt advertised as costing $100.00 and they say it is P/V, I'm sorry, it's not. If they are advertising 16oz P/V, again, I'm sorry but that is just not true.

I have handled a lot of kilts advertised as P/V that are actually Acrylic or a Polyester/Acrylic blend. None of them come close to the true Marton Mills P/V.

Right now, Rocky at USA Kilts and myself are two of the very few dealing with Marton Mills P/V. I guarantee that there will be more in the future.

How does Viscose Rayon, Acetate Fibre mixture compare with this?
Buyakilt.com tells their "budget kilts" are made with "British woven tartan cloth", 65% Viscose Rayon, 35% Acetate Fibre.
They do not mention the actual weight of the fabric but tell: "As well as the weight of fabric, this kilt has all the features of a traditional kilt..."

[Bohica]

I would agree that only the best such as Freedom Kilts Or USAk using the high grade Marton Mills combined with their incredible skills are the only way to go if you can afford it. You only get what you pay for after all. On the other hand I have a few from HOS advertised as 16 once PV (which does not exist) but as a daily wear casual they serve me well. Of course I am still jonesing badly for my tank from Rocky in Law Enforcement Memorial.

[The Wizard of BC]

There is nothing wrong with a less expensive kilt. Spend your money to get a kilt matched to your activity and budget. I wouldn't wear a $600.00 wool kilt where it is likely to get ripped or have it stained by a spill.

All I was trying to point out is that there is no truth in advertising.

Ever since the true P/V became a viable alternative to a wool kilt everyone making kilts in any synthetic fiber began to advertise that their kilts were P/V when in fact they may, or may not be.

For example; "65% Viscose Rayon, 35% Acetate Fibre." is a real dog's breakfast of a phrase. Viscose and Rayon are actually the same thing. It is like saying 65% Rayon Rayon. And Acetate is not a fiber in and of itself. An Acetate is an ion that you can use to make a fiber from other things such as cellulose. Cellulose Acetate is a fiber, but Acetate itself is not.

By the way, Cellulose Acetate is a product of cotton pulp or tree pulp. It was one of the first synthetic fibers originally developed in the late 1880's. It is biodegradable (think cigarette filters and old movie film) and therefore is usually replaced with something like Nylon or Polyester.

All I was saying was - Know what you are buying. Buy smart. Investigate just a little more time and energy than a quick google search for 'cheap kilt".

If you want an inexpensive kilt that is fine. Just know what you are buying.

[pbutts]

I asked this question last year and Rocky offered to send a swatch. I confess I haven't taken him up on the offer yet, but it would be a good way to decide for yourself if you would be satisfied with PV. I believe Rocky proposed sending him a SASE with the name of the desired tartan swatch.

[Rachel]

How does Viscose Rayon, Acetate Fibre mixture compare with this?
Buyakilt.com tells their "budget kilts" are made with "British woven tartan cloth", 65% Viscose Rayon, 35% Acetate Fibre.
They do not mention the actual weight of the fabric but tell: "As well as the weight of fabric, this kilt has all the features of a traditional kilt..."

I hope I can help on behalf of buyakilt.com as a member of staff. The listings for budget kilts are currently being updated as these are all made in China, the cloth is woven in China as well. Marton Mills are used for some of our fabric, but generally for our traditional wool kilts rather than budget. The cloth used is heavy, whilst I don't have an exact weight the kilt will be heavier than a 13oz kilt. Viscose Rayon is the same thing, perhaps it should say Viscose/Rayon. The acetate in the fabric makes it a lot softer than the polyester that used to be used.

As previous posts have mentioned to the untrained eye the kilts look very similar, many people do not notice the difference. We have many good reviews on the site if you want to check them out. We don't edit these so it's all honest feedback. The heavy weight of the fabric and stitched pleats ensure the kilts hang and wear well.

On a personal note my partner has been wearing a budget kilt for many years as his wool kilt is a little on the tight size. His parents haven't noticed the difference and they still believe he has the same waist as on his 21st birthday.