Requesting Direction Regarding the Purchase of my Second Kilt

[Livonian]

Greetings,

As I will soon be delving further into kiltedness, I was wondering if the Rabble might be able to advise me as to what might be my best option for my second kilt. For starters, I am 90% pleased with my SWK Standard. The 10% missing is due to how easy it can get wrinkled, and the fact that it flares a wee bit too much, resulting in the pleats nearest to the buckles looking like a shower curtain, especially after sitting in an armchair.

What I'm looking to get out of my second kilt is slightly higher quality. I am specifically looking for more wrinkle resistance, more secure pleats, and a more "taut" fabric. I also would like to avoid spending more than necessary, so going for broke is not really an option. I'm considering an SWK Wool, as I was quite pleased with the service and product from SWK. I've looked into USAK, and would definitely consider Rocky's product, although I doubt I'd be going above the semi-trad. I've looked into UTKilts, but I'm doubtful of the quality of a sub-100 USD 8-yard wool kilt. Info on any of the above, as well as suggestions I may not know of, would be very welcome.

A plus would be availability in Davidson tartan, as I have reason to believe I have ancestry with said clan (through the sept "Dean"). I would like to get another 8-yarder, although I'm not precisely sure what getting a 5-yarder would sacrifice aside from a bit of swing... I might go 5-yard given that it's probably far easier to sit with 3 fewer yards of fabric.

In short, I'm looking for the following (comparisons are to an SWK Standard):
-More resistance to deformation
-More tautly woven fabric
-Either less flare or made to measure
-Perhaps a 5-yarder, provided that it's not another beast altogether
-Davidson tartan (not vital at all, although if it comes down to two or three options, this would be a tiebreaker)

-Livonian

[scottmphoto]

Well, if the UT Kilts wool kilts are made as well as the utility kilts, you'll be more than happy with it. I have one of his utility kilts (that I bought on clearance) and I'm getting ready to order another. The quality was much better than expected, the materials are quality and the service and shipping were outstanding. I was a little leary at first but I was ordering based on price and then on reviews. Don't let the price scare you.

[Livonian]

I can't imagine that they'd be running two different standards of quality... that said, I'd like to have an answer as to the quality of their wool fabric before I buy.

[artificer]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better fit than one of Rocky's Casual kilts.

You can get a 5yd PV in Davidson for $99.

ith:

[Livonian]

If I'm going to go the USAK route, I'll probably shell out the cash for the semi trad. I like having buckles to secure the kilt to my body (I've never trusted velcro). Also, what differences should I expect from the lighter 5 yard kilt?

Also, can you comment on the wrinkle resistance of the PV fabric? If it does wrinkle, will steaming do the trick as with the SWK Standard, or will I need to take extra care to avoid wrinkling it unless I want to baste and press it on a daily basis?

[Godot]

I have both a casual and semi-trad from USAK. If you're around hard core kilters, they'll see that you're wearing a 5-6yard PV kilt, but I doubt they'll comment on it. My PV has been to several symphonies and two beard competitions and has held up well. I've never ironed it, and just hanging has let any wrinkles fall out. If you aren't ready to shell out the money for real wool, and USAK semi-trad will serve you well and will not be a bad investment. I got my first 5 yard wool kilt, and am saving for a really nice Maxwell (now that I know I actually have a tie to that clan) but I'm sure my PV kilts will still see service at pub nights and hot weather games.

[artificer]

If I'm going to go the USAK route, I'll probably shell out the cash for the semi trad. I like having buckles to secure the kilt to my body (I've never trusted velcro). Also, what differences should I expect from the lighter 5 yard kilt?

Also, can you comment on the wrinkle resistance of the PV fabric? If it does wrinkle, will steaming do the trick as with the SWK Standard, or will I need to take extra care to avoid wrinkling it unless I want to baste and press it on a daily basis?

Good call upgrading to the Semi-traditional, I much prefer buckles to velcro as well.

As to the 'wrinkle-ability' of them, I have two PV kilts, and while they don't stay QUITE as crisp as my heavyweight wool, they don't wrinkle like acrylic sometimes does. A light steam is all they ever need to drop back into shape.
The other bonus of the PV is that it's teflon-coated, so it's a perfect fit for festivals, concerts, pub nights, or other events where the beer may be flowing a bit too much (as in, all down your kilt).

I've had my PVs spilled on by festival goers or pubbers any number of times, and with a quick wipe down there's never a sign of the spill.

ith:

[rlloyd]

Rocky's Semi-Traditional are great! Three of my five kilts are USAK Semi-Traditionals and I could not be more pleased with them. Have no fear of the pleats falling out; I can toss one in the washer (another benefit of P/V) and generally not have any pleat issues, let alone how well it holds up through wear. As Artificer already pointed out, Davidson is available in P/V. All USAK's are made to measure. And, as regards that "tautness" of the fabric, the P/V Rocky uses is woven by Marton Mills and is the same high quality as their wool.

[Livonian]

It's not as much a question of the pleats falling out, as it is accidentally reversing/creasing pleats while sitting. It could just be the fact that my current SWK Standard is ever-so-slightly large, but I never seem to be able to sit without messing up some of the 5 or 6 pleats near the buckles on either side. Although it's not uncommon to see said section of the kilt displaying the shower curtain effect in photos, it bugs the heck out of me when it's my kilt that's doing it.

That said, I will quite likely end up with the USAK semi-trad unless a better option is proposed before payday.

[rlloyd]

I've never had issues with that happening in my semi-trads. A potion of that may be form in sitting down, though. You can find topics here on it, but here's what I generally do when possible: "sweep" the pleats to the right, and if possible put my weight down from left to right also. This is, obviously, not possible in a left-hand drive vehicle; what I do in that instance is sit down as described shifted 90 degrees, then turn right to the correct position behind the wheel. Following these guidelines, I've had essentially no issues, up to and including driving down to the Scottish Tartan Museum (which is roughly a two hour drive).