Question on an impulse buy.

[Phillip1114]

Hello everyone. I was browsing the internet the other night and found a utility kilt on clearance. I have wanted one for a while now and the price was very reasonable so I bought it. It arrived today and it is very nice, I can't find anything wrong with it anywhere and it fits me very well. The kilt (according to the tag) is 100% cotton and it is dark blue, the fabric feels very heavy and sort of stiff. I'm not sure if stiff is the proper word, it feels more like a canvas than anything else. I have read somewhere and I can't remember where that you should wash a new utility kilt first and let it drip dry as this would help to loosen the fabric so it will not be so stiff. Have any of you done this? If so, did it help? I would like your expert opinion before I try it. Thanks.

[rtown]

Not sure how stiff your canvas is but Ive washed carhartts and its a wear thing. The more you wear the better(looser,better fitting) it gets.

[scottmphoto]

I got one from the clearance section from UT Kilts. Mine was very stiff (as new cotton canvas will be), I have washed (and dried) mine a few times now and it's still kind of "stiff." It is made from a heavier cotton canvas and I imagine that it'll still feel this way for a while until it gets "broken in." I have been wearing it more lately and it seems that it is loosening up a little.

[ratspike]

Canvas is my guess. It'll loosen up some as you wear it, so that gives you a good excuse to wear it a lot. As far as aftercare, I advise my customers to let their kilt hang dry if it's 100% cotton rather than putting it in the dryer. It's a small inconvenience that will be much kinder to your kilt over time.

[scottmphoto]

I am only using the dryer right now to help to "soften" it up, I wouldn't suggest doing it long-term. I agree on letting them drip-dry and I do this with all my other kilts.

[Phillip1114]

Thanks everyone.

[James Hood]

Personally, never, never, never kilts of any kind in the dryer. Ever.

Want a canvas / cotton / blend fabric softer(?); wear it more.

Favoured way of "cleaning," as cited by others, swab the especially offensive area with a clean cloth, cold water and mild soap while the kilt is laying flat. Rinse it the same way, multiple times.

Hang to dry. Touch-up press pleats if necessary using moist cloth and iron not touching the kilt fabric. Be careful of the iron's heat setting.

Only one wearer's opinion....

Best of fortune.

[Pleater]

Tumble drying kilts does tend to put wear on the creases - I only did it once in an emergency and it put about two years wear on it in half an hour.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Half Scot Half Pole]

If you put it on fluff air, or unheated air, while it's still wet this will soften up the fabric with no shrinkage.