Field Testing the PV Semi-Traditional

[Riverkilt]

From time to time I see questions on the board about the polyviscose fabric USA Kilts uses for their kilts. I had the same questions before I tried my first PV kilt. Here's an example of how bulletproof I've found the PV fabric. And, for the record since I bought my first PV kilt from Rocky I now own eleven casuals and three semi-trads with three more semi-trads on order.

This weekend I only took one kilt with me to visit my girlfriend down in Keams Canyon on the Hopi Reservation. There's a picture of it, the Macdonald semi-traditional PV from USA Kilts, in the photos section under the heading of meeting people while kilted.

Its a three hour drive from Page, AZ to Keams Canyon. I drove down by way of Hwy 89 through Bitter Springs, Cedar Ridge, and The Gap to Hwy 160 then east to Tuba City where I picked up Hwy 264 through the Hopi Reservation over Third and Second Mesa to Polacca and Keams Canyon.

Once I got there we went out to dinner at the Hopi Cultural Center and I drove back to Second Mesa, sat in a booth at the restaurant for at least an hour, then drove back to Keams Canyon.

The next morning I drove home up over Black Mesa. The route isn't on most maps since a lot of it is dirt roads, but it was back to Polacca, up Hopi Route 4 to Low Mountain, then over to Pinon and Navajo route 41 to
Forest Lakes, through the Black Mesa Coal Mine complex, down the mesa to Black Mesa store and route 160, then west to Mesa View and North on Hwy 98 past Shonto, Inscription, and Kaibeto then home to Page.

Its a beautiful drive, near therapeutic in its beauty. But I'm sitting on the kilt the whole time.

I figure I sat on that kilt for at least 8 hours of the 30 hours the trip lasted. When I got home I hung it up. I was amazed to see the pleats weren't wrinkled. There were some wrinkles in the very top front of the apron from my belly 'cause I'm fat.

This morning when I woke up I noticed the belly wrinkles had hung out without needing to be steamed and I double checked the pleats to see if I'd missed seeing any wrinkles there, I hadn't, still looking good.

So, I can tell anyone wondering that you can sit in a PV Semi-traditional for eight hours and not worry about getting the pleats wrinkled. And I'm no fuss budget about pleat sweeping. I do it, but its a casual pleat sweep at best. And on the two three-hour drives I stopped twice for one thing or another so the pleats got a few minutes rest and maybe I sat on them different for the next hour.

Eight hours, no wrinkles. No bull, just fact. Ya see why I buy these great looking PV kilts??

Ron

[Splash_4]

Thanks for the review Ron.... I have also been thinking about a semi-trad from Rocky and Kelly and had these questions.

[McMurdo]

Excellent Road test Ron
I am seriously considering USAK for my next kilt, as I am vertically challenged, and the Stillwater would have to come up to my chest to hit the top of my knee.

[Riverkilt]

Aye McMurdo,

I've the same challenge and sadly, that's why I don't own a SWK, they don't fit me lengthwise.

Its cool that I can get a custom length in a casual kilt from USA Kilts. Though I have my semi-traditionals cut a tad longer since I wear them higher up than my casuals.

Ron

[McMurdo]

My thinking is that I have the Gunn Modern from A&J Scott, priceless as far as I am concerned. Now I have the Graham of Manteith, from Hector Russell, if I keep going like that it will be ages before I can afford another. I am really starting to think that the USAK might be the way to go, cause I need more kilts,
I know it sounds like I have a problem but I admit I'm powerless and that's the first step,
so I think I'll be ok.

[pdcorlis]

Great review Ron. I own two semi-trads from Rocky and Kelly - they are fantastic PV kilts - and now that they are expanding their PV tartan range there are even fewer reasons not to buy one!

[Riverkilt]

Don't know if this helps McMurdo,

I buy my kilts for where I'm gonna be wearing them in general.

At the top of the line, so to speak, are my hand sewn traditional wool kilts.

Next, for when I wanna look sharp, but might not wanna "risk" the hand sewn, like bouncing around the back roads of the rez, I choose the Semi-trads.

The teflon coating on the semi-trad is a great back up to my klutziness, or the environment I'll be in.

Last trip to the Grand Canyon I spilled orange juice on the apron of my Isle of Skye hand sewn wool. Was trying to "drink and drive." Boy was that a fast pull over and clean up. Freaked me out. While I'd chosen the Isle of Skye for pics I normally would have been wearing a PV kilt for such a trip for just that reason....or UK "Scottish jeans."

Ron

[CelticRanger66]

I agree with RverKilt....I now own a USAK SemiTrad (Clark Tartan) with 3 on the way....( 1 is for my dad) . I also own 26 handsewn Kilts (10 I cant wear because I wore them when I was a wee one but will pass on to my kids when i have them) But I now wear the PV semi-trad all the time , the teflon coating makes them practically bulletproof . Infact Rocky and Kelly's workmanship and attention to detail rivals some of my Scottish Handsewn Kilts. I HIGHLY recommend the PV semitrad (or casual) for the warm weather or when you feel wearing the Tank isn't practical. I have even worm my PV with my PC to a wedding and no one was the wiser. Again I highly recommend them to ALL.

[mudd]

Last trip to the Grand Canyon I spilled orange juice on the apron of my Isle of Skye hand sewn wool. Was trying to "drink and drive." Boy was that a fast pull over and clean up.
Ron

Ron,

Did your passenger need to cover their hears? I know what I'd be saying if that had happened to me.

I've got two USAK casuals and I love 'em. I'm itchin' to get a semi-trad. I just wish Rocky's PV supplier had it in one of the MacIntosh Tartans. Wouldn't be able to resist, then.

Mudd

[Fearnest]

That's great info - thanks! I've been on the fence about a PV kilt (until now).