Which kilt- Stillwater Economy or Kiltmart Affordable?

**Starshine** · 17th November 08, 02:36 PM

Hello all!

I'm new to the forum,

and loving all the great information here.

I could use some advice please. My hubby wants a new kilt for Christmas, and this time he wants a "cheapo" (his words). One that he doesn't care if he spills beer on or the dog jumps up on or he rolls around in the mud in... (preferably alone or at least with me anyway

)

So I'm trying to decide between the Kiltmart Affordable kilt or the Stillwater Economy. The price difference between the two is only about $10 so that's no big deal. I've read lots of the reviews here and it seems that both are pretty good considering the price. I realize you get what you pay for, and I'm not expecting anything spectacular from either of them, but does anyone have any experience with both or an overwhelming reason to go with one over the other?

Thanks!!!

**sathor** · 17th November 08, 02:53 PM

My son has an economy from SWK, but he's 4.... I do like it for the most part, no issue so far. I tend to be loyal to brands that I have luck with though, to be fair.

**Ayin McFye** · 17th November 08, 03:41 PM

Stillwater discontinued their "Economy" line of kilts, however that being said they have a "Thrifty" version that is excellent and only $25-30 each. I have both Stillwater Thrify kilts, and KiltMart Economy kilts, and I would HIGHLY encourage you to go with the Stillwater Thrifty. HIGHLY! The quality of product that you will get from Stillwater is much better than Kilt Mart, the customer service is great at Stillwater, and the delivery time is unmatched (Jerry uses wormhole technology to ship to you in unheard of time)

Also with the Thrify kilt it's completely reversable, so if one side gets messed up, you just turn it inside out, and the velcro that is used to hold it together works on both sides. (it's almost like getting two kilts in one).

I HIGHLY encourage you to shop at Stillwater instead of Kilt Mart (Have i said that yet??

)

Good luck and welcome to Xmarks!

**kakkui_1037** · 17th November 08, 03:55 PM

I would say Kiltmart, but it depends on what tartan does he want. I have emailed Stillwater before and got a really rude response.

I asked where the kilts were made and his response was very generic, something about overseas contractors. So he didn't really answer my question. I guessed that they were made overseas, but where exactly?

The forum on here doesn't say much about Kiltmart, so alot of the things people say about it are mostly hearsay.

For me, the deciding factor is always whether the salesperson can answer a question without sounding rude.

**sathor** · 17th November 08, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by kakkui_1037

I would say Kiltmart, but it depends on what tartan does he want. I have emailed Stillwater before and got a really rude response.

I asked where the kilts were made and his response was very generic, something about overseas contractors. So he didn't really answer my question. I guessed that they were made overseas, but where exactly?

The forum on here doesn't say much about Kiltmart, so alot of the things people say about it are mostly hearsay.

For me, the deciding factor is always whether the salesperson can answer a question without sounding rude.

I can't vouch for the emails, but I know the ones I have gotten were made in Pakistan.

Playing Devil's advocate, but perhaps the person reading it thought you were asking identity and not nation or origin, and keeping your vendors list secret is a handy thing. If my customers knew what it cost me for photo prints, even the meager markup I have would seem astronomical, and I sometimes am beating Walmart's photo lab for print prices.

**fluter** · 17th November 08, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by sathor

I can't vouch for the emails, but I know the ones I have gotten were made in Pakistan.

Playing Devil's advocate, but perhaps the person reading it thought you were asking identity and not nation or origin, and keeping your vendors list secret is a handy thing...

I'll agree. From Stillwater, we have come to expect swift, professional, and accurate replies to our questions. The only way I can envision a tone that would make you think "rude" is if Jerry thought you actually were fishing for his proprietary information.

Plus the service is second to none. The Web site lists only what they have in stock, so US customers can expect to get the order within days.

I have bought at least one of each model Stillwater, including the economy. All are good value for money. All are clearly labelled with the country of origin.

The acrylic models are attractive, pretty nice fabric. The wool kilts are just fine: I love them this time of year. There are other, more expensive fabrics that I like better, and there are made-to-measure, more expensive kilts that fit me better; but I have been satisfied with every transaction from Stillwater. BTW no one paid me to say this, it sounds like I'm laying it on a little thick; but that is the way Stillwater's repeat customers tend to sound.

**Spartan** · 17th November 08, 04:33 PM

What is the return policy of each place? You could order one from each place (they're off the rack kilts), keep the one that you like best, and return the other.

I've gotten a couple of things from Kiltmart, but their store is right down the street from where I work, and I can go in and see before I buy. I haven't gotten a kilt there.

**Phogfan86** · 17th November 08, 08:18 PM

You could order the SWK on December 17 or 18 and still have it in plenty of time. I also like their products. I'd go with Jerry.

**BassClefB** · 17th November 08, 08:25 PM

I wholeheartedly vote for Stillwater. I have ordered 3 kilts, 2 pairs of hose, 2 sporrans, and other accessories since the first of October and have been nothing but elated. The quality is great for the Thrifty Kilts, they are comfortable and warm, and they are an incredible value. The only issue... which kilt to buy?

**SteveB** · 17th November 08, 08:36 PM

I do not have a Kiltmart kilt. I do have two Stillwater Kilts, one is a Thrifty and one is a Standard (see my avatar). The thrifty is a great around the house kilt, that you can whip a sporran on and run to the store in. The Standard is a good kilt for wearing out and about. Both are giving me great service, and for off the peg, fit quite well. I am 6'1", so the 24 inch length just happens to be close to the 25" that my made to measure wool kilts have. The delivery of the kilts from Minnesota to Boston, Massachusetts took less than two days. Jerry has a laser guided kilt cannon.
My e-mails were answered in a cordial manner, and the service has been outstanding. I also own two Sport Kilts, and they are great for taking a lot of abuse on the athletic field. Easy to keep clean, and don't mind the splinters and sweat of the Caber Toss.
Slainte