Scottishkilts.net

[arrogcow]

Ok, I finally have a chance to sit down and tell ya'll about my new kilt.

I am 90% happy with the service I got from Scotishkilts, and and 100% happy with the kilt. I do have a few observations that may help others in there decision to buy, and as such will be comparing it to my tank (Thomas Gordon) and a SWK stantard for some reference.

On Nov 17 I ordered a 5 yard machine made kilt in the Braveheart tartan (Jura range wool). Total price was $242 including shipping (and there was no import charge). That same day I sent an e-mail asking: how is it pleated (and if I had a choice I wanted it pleated to stripe with the red hidden), roughly when could I expect it, and finally if they had access to the Kentucky tartan for a possible 8 yard in the near future. This e-mail was never replied to (hence part of my slight displeasure with the company). However, in less than three weeks, I received an e-mail saying the kilt was on the way (parcelforce took an extra 5 days longer than their stated time to deliver, but that was not Scottish kilts fault).

On arrival, the first thing I noticed was that it was in a small box that weighed almost nothing. I was afraid that they had shipped me something else by mistake, but no the kilt was there.

The kilt was shipped without basting stitches, but all the pleats were still in perfect condition even through shipping. There was a tag on the kilt that stated that it was size 36/43/23.5, which was wrong, I ordered a 36/44/22.5 (the rest of my displeasure), but rather than complain right off, I tried it on. Fits like a glove, but is a tad (less than 1/2" short) so no big deal. The 23.5" is total length (like a SWK) not length to the buckle and then a rise (it is a 21 3/4 with a 1 3/4 rise).

I can not say how much I love this kilt. Now for comparisons.

The apron has a greater taper than my tank being 18" at the top to 24" at the bottom (tank 20/23.5 SWK 17/21).

It has 22 pleats with an average depth of about 3 1/2" (tank 22 pleats with 5 1/2" depth : SWK 36 pleats 2" depth)

Pleat depth is, I realize based somewhat on sett size, so for the record, the Braveheart is a 7" sett, my tank (Montgomery) is a 4 1/2" sett and the SWK (nightstalker) is a 3 1/2" sett.

All these kilts are pleated to sett.

Or at east sort of. I noticed that the new kilt somehow forgot the dark green stripe when pleating and as a result the back looks asymmetrical (taller rather than wider creating a 5 1/2" repeat across the back). I thought this was a little weird, but it still looks good. It did make me take a hard look at my tank though. Sure enough the tank is also fudged a little, being asymmetrical wider rather than taller creating a 6 1/8" repeat.

Three buckles with 5 holes. These are so much better than the SWK buckles (at least the '05 models) that I can's say enough about them. However, they are still not as good as my tank buckles which are as wide and thick as most belts.

Sewing is machine done. What this basically comes down to is that on the rise the sett is off slightly. My tank you can clearly see where someone took the time to keep it perfect. However since this (very) slight imperfection is under my belt, I can't see how it matters. Also since it is machine done, you don't see the stitching. I realize that seeing the stitches shows that it is a hand made garment, but it always looked a little wrong to me.

The lining on the inside starts 1" from the top and is only tacked down in a few places. My tank starts 1/4" from the top and is sewn down at the bottom (of the lining not the kilt). The SWK the lining starts 3" from the top and is completely loose.

Finally while the fabric seems to be of the same weight as my tank, it seems a little scratchier (I don't know what wool my tank is in), but than could be just the newness.

I hope to have a pic this weekend (I've worn it three times already, just no cameras handy).

Adam

[Colin]

I got my 8 yard handsewn from them yesterday and I am 100% satisfied. The kilt is fantastic.

I actually asked that it be shipped via UPS after hearing the issues you had with Parcelforce. It was here 2 days after shipping, and a grand total of 9 days after ordering. No duties were asked for at the door (as was the case with my jacket) so I am hoping I don't get a bill later.

[arrogcow]

Two additions:

First my "5 yard" is actually 4 yard 19 inches (tank is 7 yard 29 inches)

Second, it does not have the reverse pleat coming off the under apron that both my tank and SWK have (what is its purpose?).

Adam

[GMan]

Adam, Not to sure why the reverse pleats are there for, but I am glad that you like the kilt. CONGRATULATIONS

[Sherry]

Glad you're happy with it, Adam.

[Bil]

Sounds awesome. I look forward to the pictures. I'm looking to order a new kilt after tax season :smile: and I'm thankful for you sharing your experience.

[Space Moose]

I had a few problems with ScottishKilts.net as well. I explained them in another post about a month ago.

They initially sent me the wrong jacket, but when I called up they said they'd ship the right one that day. When I'd heard nothing for a few weeks (with no problems, the first thing you'll hear from them after they take your order is the doorbell of the UPS guy), I called them up and found they hadn't shipped it at all (and never told me)!

They said they'd get to the bottom of it right away and email me that night. They didn't. I called them a couple days later (now very close to my deadline), and said more than anything I need to know ASAP if they could deliver or not, and that I needed an email status almost as much as I needed the coat, they said they'd see about shipping it and email within a couple hours with the status. They didn't email at all. Finally I called up again the next day and explained that I really needed to know if they could pull through. Since they said it was still posible to get it to me, and that they'd ship it right away, and since I had them absolutely promise that I'd get an email that night one way or another, I was placated and went to bed. Of course when I awoke, there was no email! I was flabbergasted, and called up again (that's a lot of telephoning Scotland!). When I did call they said it had shipped though, and were able to give me a tracking number.

The jacket arrived a few hours before my event, but I was dumbfounded by their terrible communication.

They've since made reparations for my trouble, and I'm overall very pleased with the product, but I'd never order from them again if I was on a deadline.

My opinion is that, from ScottishKilts.net you can expect a quality product, likely without troubles, and very poor communication throughout the process.

For me this isn't really a problem, as I'm not really paying for good communication, but it would be nice if they were a little better about it.

Craig