Blue Hemp RKilt

[Racer96]

First off, I have several apologies to make to our fine kiltmakers. I am extremely late in posting pictures and/or reviews of kilts from Union Kilts, Freedom Kilts and R Kilts. I have also not posted a review before, as I am relatively new to the kilted life

A little bit of background, I started off with a Utilikilt (survival) and rather quickly picked up several more. After finding this website, I became very intrigued in the many other modern/contemporary kilts that are out there. I currently have kilts from Utilikilts, Union Kilts, Freedom Kilts, R Kilts, and Amerikilts.

Also, as you'll soon see, I am of japanese ancestry, and one of the things that I find intriguing about wearing the kilt, is that if it were to be full length, it would bear a striking resemblance (in my opinion) to that of a hakama. That is the reason that many of my kilts are what would not be considered proper length. I like the look of it below my knee. It works for me. And yes, I know that my pictures would fit in the kilt don't area. It's just my personal sense of style. I'm sorry if it offends you, but I like it.

Now that that is over with (and I apologize for those of you reading my three reviews, as I will be cutting and pasting the above into each of the three), on with the show.

I contacted Robert initially about a chocolate brown denim kilt. (Yes, I love that chocolate brown colour!) He told me that his supplier was currently having trouble sourcing more material and then gave me a list of the colours he had available. He also offered to send me fabric samples (which of course included those wonderful leathers!!!) I already knew that I would at some point be ordering a leather RKilt from him, but it's an investment that I wanted to make sure would be fitted exactly right for me. That was the reason for going with a denim first.

After seeing the samples, I decided on going with a hemp kilt. Robert told me that his first choice in kilts is leather, but the hemps are a very good second choice. Who knows better than the kiltmaker himself, so the order was put in.

When it came time that the kilt was to go into production, Robert contacted me, and I made my payments. At that time I opted not to go with a black top stitch, and instead went with two extra pairs of pleats. It adds a bit to the weight of the kilt, but just gives it that much nicer of an appearance.

I'm really glad that I did order this kilt first (before the leather) as the fit is a bit different than I had anticipated. Because of my somewhat odd measurements, the pockets are placed a little farther back than what I would find optimal, but they are still easily reached. I will be adding an inch or so to my waist measurement, and possibly more than that to the hips measurement to see about avoiding the appearance of the front apron pulling in tighter under my belly.

The hemp material has an excellent feel to it. It's not rough, but it feels very strong. It also has a really nice weight to it. The hemp does wrinkle somewhat similar to cotton.

Please note, on the following pictures, the kilt had been worn while driving for a good 5+ hours the day before, and was then layed on my dresser overnight, and put back on for the picture taking:





I have a very hard time choosing a favourite kilt, but this one and my freedom kilt probably tie for that position. My wife also likes these two the most. (I think it's partly how they both look, combined with the fact that both have excellent "swish" motions)

I can't wait to get the bronze RKilt next!

Mike

[Mael Coluim]

Mike you are looking good! I salute you in your decision in wearing the kilt at tje length that makes you happy.

[turpin]

Nice looking kilt, and hemp is supposed to be a fab fabric. Robert does a great job. You might try going a bit looser on the hip strap to reduce the horizontal pulling that appears to be taking place.

[McMurdo]

Looks great Mike, as Turpin said you could possibly loosen it off a bit.

[James MacMillan]

Interesting. I'm glad you like your hemp garment.

[Racer96]

Mael Coluim,
Thank you very much.

Turpin and McMurdo,
Erm, well, I think I need to lose some weight ;) The waist strap has been moved to it's long position, and is the reason why I will be changing my measurements for the leather rkilt.

My problem is that I have a gut in the front, and a butt in the back, so while the two measurements given are ok (well, my waist measurement is going to be made a bit bigger :P) the fact that the two measurements don't "cone" out downwards, rather, they look like two circles overlapping each other, makes my hip measurements too small. Steve Ashton's FK measurement system takes this into account, by drawing a straight imaginary line down from the outermost front point at the waist, and you use that point to measure the hips, rather than going tight to the front.

James MacMillan,
Thanks for the acknowledgement.

Mike

[Canuck]

There is another issue here as well. The math is based on waist to knee. If one lengthens that measurement (meaning you want it longer than waist to knee) then the widest part of the kilt is actually lower than it should be. so it won't fit around the hips properly and it will pull. The reverse will be true if one goes for a shorter kilt and it will be too big around the hips.
If we know what the actual length is going to be compared tom the true waist to knee measurement we can make the correct adjustments.

[Racer96]

Canuck,

My apologies. The measurement that I gave for the length was what I thought was correct. (In that I thought it would hit at the bottom of my kneecap) And that is approximately where it hits.

Hopefully these pictures help in determining the changes needed for the measurements for the next kilt I order?

Also, what are your thoughts on increasing the hips measurement to one that is quite a bit larger, similar to what was provided to Steve? Would that work with your measurement system? Would it help to stop that pull on the apron under the gut?

Thanks again, I really do love this kilt. (Oh, and you're correct, the pockets do sit a bit low, but that must come from my measurements not being what you needed.)

Mike

[string]

If you Iron it set the iron at it's hottest, bast fibers (linen and hemp) like to keep their creases and if you accidentally create a crease with the iron, wet it and iron again... and hope. (mighta learned that the hard way)

[CanadianKilter84]

I just got my taupe hemp RKilt yesterday. It had been sent to my grandmother, who lives in Maxville, Ontario, so I was waiting on her to come down for Christmas. Supposedly it came right before they left. So, I too am a proud owner of a hemp RKilt. I love it.