Houston Kilts - a Review

[cessna152towser]

In the photo thread in which I modelled my two new tanks Hamish wrote:-

I am always seeing Houston's advertisements in the newspapers and magazines, and have wondered what their kilt-making standards are like, so I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say in the form of a review.

So here we are, as requested.

I will deal with the Paisley kilt first as this was the one I tried on first.

Both kilts were from the 17 oz range, with super machine finish. This is £30 dearer than the standard machine finish but cheaper than a super hand finished kilt. The kilts are machine stitched but more time is taken in marking and cutting out the scallops so that the kilt will sit and fit better.
Teflon coating is applied to enable rainwater and drink spills to run off the kilt rather than soaking into the wool.
There are about 24 knife pleats in this kilt - more than you get in a casual kilt but only about two thirds as many as my black heavyweight. Both kilts have leather straps and metal buckles.

I felt there was something not quite right about the hang of this kilt when I tried it on. I had fastened the buckles to the maximum fifth hole on each side. The shop assistant offered to take it in slightly but as it seemed a firm enough fit I declined. Only now having worn the kilt a couple of times can I see what the problem is - as you will see in this photo, with the buckles in the same position on each side there is some excess material in the inner apron. The buckles need to be fastened to the fourth hole on one side and the fifth on the other.

The other minor gripe is that towards the kilt pin side the under apron hangs below the outer apron.

The lining and fell at the back extends for about eight inches, and the lining extends about six inches at the front.
All in all a good quality kilt for the money but I will need to contact them and ask them to put right the two minor gripes, namely the buckle positioning and the under apron. I don't anticipate any problems.
I now turn to review the Wallace Hunting Modern in my next post.

[Bugbear]

Thanks for the review. Hope the fixes go well.

[cessna152towser]

I lightened up when I tried on the Wallace Hunting Modern as it looked just perfect.

This one has about twenty seven pleats

A view of the straps and buckles.

A good quality fringe.
Having worn the Paisley kilt twice and the Wallace once, nobody has complemented me on the Paisley kilt. The day I wore the Wallace the car was in for some maintenance and I had to travel to work at the court offices in Galashiels by bus. I received several complements on looking very smart. The kilt was warm and cosy, standing waiting for a bus on an icy day.

The kilts came complete with garters and flashes. The garter elastic closes to a loop using velcro.

Also a kilt carrer.
The pins were each £15 extra (a special Paisley pin for the Paisley kilt and a Lion Rampant motif for the Wallace one) so the complete package, 2 kilts, 2 pins, garters, flashes and carrier came to a total of £600.
Subject to the minor niggles with the Paisley kilt which I am sure Houstons will be happy to put right I am very pleased with my purchases which appear to represent fair value.
www.kiltmakers.com

[James MacMillan]

Thanks for the reviews - Those are nice, very nice.

[GMan]

Great review, who better than a Kilt wearer to review a Kilt

[McMurdo]

Wonderful review Alex wear them well, and good luck with the Paisley

[Jaggy thistle]

I bought a machine stitched kilt from Houston Ialso had a problem with the buckles the two on the right side are not in line by 2 holes also the pleats differ in width it is wearable but it looks like a £50 kilt I will not deal with them again

[BEEDEE]

My weathered hunting MacRae tank is a Houston super machine finish. It fitted like a glove and I am more than happy with it. The flashes they supplied were on elastic with metal clips and the bottoms were fringed. Looks like they have reduced the quality of their flashes.

Brian

[Hamish]

Alex, very many thanks for the reviews and detailed photos. I must say that I prefer the Wallace Hunting to the Paisley tartan and, like your fellow bus passengers, I would be more likely to compliment you when you are wearing it - but that's a matter of tartans!

I had never really considered ordering from Houston's, although I am always willing to give a different kiltmaker a chance if I am suitably impressed by what I have learned about him/them. Before approaching Houston's with my wish list, I think I will wait to see how you get on with your "gripes".

As always, you wear the kilt well, Alex, and I am glad to know that you are reasonably satisfied with your new purchases. Looking forward to seeing you, Ann and perhaps a Houston kilt, in three weeks time.

Take care,
Ham.

[cessna152towser]

An update
I e-mailed Houstons over the Christmas break re the Paisley kilt and have now received a response that they will be happy to carry out the necessary fine tuning when I either drop the kilt in at their shop or post it to them.