casual kilt- material pros/cons?

[zeeew]

Hello all

I am in need of a casual kilt, the full traditional wool is too spendy for events like hiking, beerfests, bbq eating, etc. Looking for a washing machine kilt.
I get minor irritation at the back of my knees if I wear the wool kilt all day and do much walking. Any casual kilt material that seems better or worse for irritation?
What about wrinkles, which holds lines best, best wash and wear? Do they all pretty much need ironing after washing?
I am looking at the sportkilt, good price, seems to look good.

Thanks all

Eric

[Nick the DSM]

well, USAkilt uses a PV material that isn't iitchy and it seems that it holds pleats well. also i think its washable too. you can try sportkilt as well though the pleats don't hold up very well.

[Galb]

Stillwater Kilts has an excellent Standard version which is acrylic material. It holds the pleats very well, machine washable, and the service is second to none. I have a Black Watch Standard and soon an Irish National Standard from Stillwater. You will be hard pressed to find anyone around here that doesn't have great things to say about SWK.

*goes back to waiting by the front door*

[IrishGodfather]

My Sport Kilt is pretty darn nice, and very light and durable. It's held up very well so far with all the abuse I've put it through. So I'd suggest a Sport Kilt. And I'm waiting for my SWK Irish Nat. to arrive, I'm sure it'll be very durable too.

[Nick the DSM]

My Sport Kilt is pretty darn nice, and very light and durable. It's held up very well so far with all the abuse I've put it through. So I'd suggest a Sport Kilt. And I'm waiting for my SWK Irish Nat. to arrive, I'm sure it'll be very durable too.

yeah, they are very durable and light. but they need an ironing after a couple says of use.

[The Wizard of BC]

Just a couple of small comments for you.

If you are having the kilt chafe the back of your knees when walking you may be wearing the hem too long. If the kilt is hitting just at the top of your knee cap it should not touch the back of the knees at all.

I assume from your comment that you are looking at a SporKilt that you are only interested in a Tartan casual Kilt. Of all those available I would tend to lean toward a USA Kilt. The primary reason would be because they are custom made. The length will be perfect so no chafe.
The P/V material is wonderful. It holds a pleat almost permanently and needs almost no ironing. Even after repeated washings in the machine. I own two of Rocky's kilts and neither has ever needed more than a hanging up on two hangers to allow any wrinkles to fall right out.

If you are looking for a kilt in a non-Tartan I would suggest a fabric of Polyester/Cotton. The sort "Dockers" pants are made from. Avoid 100% Cotton unless you like ironing. Poly/Cotton holds a crease fairly well but most makers edge stitch the pleats to make a permanent pleat edge.
One down side to Poly/Cotton is the need for a hem. If you are experiencing chafe a hem may make it more noticeable.

[Mr. Woolery]

My favorite casual kilt is a poly/cotton twill I sewed myself. I did edge-stitch the pleats and I did hem the edge. I don't find any chafing from the hem, as I do have it at the right length.

My nice wool kilt tends to chafe the front of my thighs after about 4 hours. I have sensitive legs and typically find that jeans pull out my thigh hairs. The kilt isn't bad, but not as all-day comfy as my twill.

One con I had not thought about when I got a SWK was the material is lighter, so it moves differently from a wool kilt. This isn't actually a bad thing, but it is different. I prefer the swing of the wool. It feels more substantial.

-Patrick

[ardchoille]

Stillwater Kilts has an excellent Standard version which is acrylic material. It holds the pleats very well, machine washable, and the service is second to none.

I second that. I have a SWK Standard Kilt in Stewart Black and it's a very good kilt for all around wear and very good on the budget

[george7]

Another vote Stillwater. Stillwater is the most kilt you'll get for your money.

[Riverkilt]

Be sure you know your proper kilt length and if the supplier/kiltmaker can provide you with that proper length (see Steve's post).

Don't know about acrylic kilts, never bought one, they don't appeal to me. I prefer to work with the kiltmaker if I can.

Can suggest you look at whatever SportKilt you decide to purchase to make sure it can be cut to your length, and that you get some sort of pleat sewn in rather than their standard "gather." The cotton/poly SportKilt material is soft, like fuzzy pajama material.

I've come to prefer USA Kilts since even the casual model has far more pleats than the acrylics and SportKilts - and because I can order it sewn up to fit my weird sized body....and because I can talk things over with Rocky.

Remember, you can have any two of price, quality, or service.

Ron