Quality differences new help upgrading my kilt.

[Bboykraze7]

I currently own a 80% acrylic kilt from ebay like from aar kilts or somewhere and I want to upgrade to a better quality kilt for formal events. I was looking at USA kilts semi traditional, but its a little out of my budget so I started looking at UT kilts poly, but im not sure it's a big step up from what I have. What's my best course of action? Save up for the USA kilt or get the UT kilt? What's the biggest differences I will get between the two companies?

[kilted2000]

Failte from the Home of the Blues!

Have you considered the Casual kilt from USA Kilts? I have two and most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference unless they looked very closely between that and the semi-trad. In my opinion any PV kilt is an upgrade from acrylic. Depending on your size you could also look on ebay for a used wool kilt.

[Guiness gets my Irish up]

I don't know if you're looking for a particular tartan, but Stillwater kilts are a great value for the money. I own three of their heavyweight 16 oz wool kilts and I'm very happy with them.

[Bboykraze7]

My family name is Kneeland we were foresters for Douglas so the blue Douglas is the tartan appropriate for me to wear. I have looked at the casual kilt, but I really want the buckles and straps and I wouldn't wear the kilt often, but my grandmother is not doing well and she had a whole room in her house dedicated to the genealogy of our family and she was very proud of our scottish background so I want a nice kilt for the funeral whenever it happens. Could be a year could be in a month. She is very late stage dementia.

[Guiness gets my Irish up]

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Being of Irish descent, I mostly wear kilts in solid colors. I have a saffron kilt and a solid black kilt, both in "shadow tartans" (the pattern becomes visible in certain lighting.) I also have another kilt in Black Watch tartan. I didn't see Douglas as an option on Stillwater's website though. USA Kilts is on my short list when I'm ready to buy my next kilt (National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial tartan.)

Sport Kilt does offer a model called "The Works." It has leather buckle straps, sewn down pleats, and fringed opening edge panel. It is available in Douglas tartan and ranges from $109.50-139.50 depending on size. I have no experience with the company nor the product, but it may be an option.

[kilted2000]

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

So very sorry about your Grandma. These are precious days remaining. Normally, I would advise saving for the best kilt you can afford, but I also recognize that you are working against a time-line. I'm sure that your Gran, looking down, will appreciate whatever you are able to do, and with a relatively good kilt, you will think of her whenever you wear it and honour her memory with your efforts on her behalf.

[figheadair]

Douglas is a fairly commonly seen tartan. If it were me (and assuming that you are mid-average size) I would look for a second-hand one. That way you should be able to upgrade to a much better qaulity at a reasonable price.

[Liam]

Welcome to the forum from Western Canada!

[Kitfoxdave]

Glad you signed up! Since your budget is tight, you might also want to check out ex-hire kilts... sometimes you can get a 100% medium weight 8 yard kilt for about $100 plus shipping....might also try St.Kilda kilts clearance section... I got a brand new Mackensie Kilt in ancient colors for $150 plus shipping.

They have fabulous customer service in my experience. The GBP has been rising again though...

The ex-hire kilts are decent quality kilts, and can be made even better with a bit of needlework. Many companies will resize a waist a bit without charge.