2nd Kilt: SWK Std vs USAK Cas vs USAK SemiTrad

[LaphroaigQCFan]

Hello everyone! (First post) I stumbled upon this website after I had already ordered my first kilt, an original Sport Kilt in Ferguson (from my mom's side). I got this primarily for a renaissance festival, but it's so comfortable that I thought I would go ahead and order a 2nd and 3rd kilt for lounging around at home and other occasional events.

I realize these questions have been done repeatedly through all the other posts, but I'm a fan of details when it comes to spending money on a couple kilts.

As nice as an 8 yard wool kilt would be, I don't think I'm ready to spend the money on that quality for a single kilt when my primary use will be casual/lounging about. The sport kilt (poly-acrylic on the tag) I have isn't bad for a first kilt, but I'd like to invest in a kilt with a bit "more" to it (sewn down pleats at a minimum). I've been considering getting an Irish National Tartan kilt and another Ferguson. Going by the many good opinions for these sources, I was initially thinking SWK Standard for the Irish and USAK casual for the Ferguson. After reading other threads, particularly those about acrylic - polyviscose, my initial thought has been replaced with indecisiveness. On one hand, SWK standard offers an 8yrd kilt with fringed edges and leather buckles for a great price due to using acrylic, but it seems most people prefer PV over acrylic for a number of valid reasons. Lounging around in my sport kilt usually creates some wrinkles, so the more wrinkle resistant the better. Then there's the issue of the USAK casual vs semi-traditional. While I expect it does have it as well, I don't recall the description of the semi-traditional including the "Perma-Pleat" system. Certainly, a Ferguson semi-trad would be nice to have, but if someone with both a USAK casual and semitrad could give a thoughtful comparison, it may help me to rationalize the extra expense (or not).

The more exhaustive PRO/CON list the better.

I apologize for what may seem like rambling. Long story short (after you have already read the long story), I am debating between the following: SWK std + USAK cas, SWK std + USAK semitrad, USAK cas + USAK cas, or USAK cas + USAK semitrad. Thanks!

[RockyR]

I'll let others speak to their prefferences / dislikes / likes about the different styles / brands as I am obviously a bit biased.

The only small point of clarification is that the Semi trad does NOT have the Perma Pleats. Only the Casual does. This is NOT to mean that the Semi Trad doesn't hold a pleat... it does very well. The perma pleats just don't work well on the Semi Trad.

I'm sure you'll be pleased no matter what you decide and I'm sure you'll get lots of helpful advice up here.

[BEEDEE]

OK, I have SWK acrylic and heavyweight wool and a USAK Semitrad. For my money, I will not buy another SWK acrylic. They are OK for knocking around but just do not have the same feel as a wool or PV. My SWK Heavyweight is one of the rare MacRae Ancient Hunting. I'm seriously considering taking it apart, adding steeking, cutting out the excess fabric at the back and putting a stabilizer and hair canvas in to make it fit and hang better.
My USAK semi-trad is in Marton Mills wool, not PV. This is my #2 go to kilt for semi-formal and casual wear. Rocky makes a great kilt.

I would suspect your decision might come down to cost. If you can afford it, go for the USAK, if not go for the SWK heavyweight wool.

Brian

[Bugbear]

OK, I have SWK acrylic and heavyweight wool and a USAK Semitrad. For my money, I will not buy another SWK acrylic. They are OK for knocking around but just do not have the same feel as a wool or PV. My SWK Heavyweight is one of the rare MacRae Ancient Hunting. I'm seriously considering taking it apart, adding steeking, cutting out the excess fabric at the back and putting a stabilizer and hair canvas in to make it fit and hang better. ...

I agree on the acrylic for the most part, except it they do kind of have a sweatery feel to them that would be nice if they were a heavier/tighter weave.

As far as traditionalizing a Stillwater wool kilt, it really does make a big difference to get rid of all that bulk above the fell, and to adjust or give it a rise.

That is an issue with the acrylic standard, too. It is going to have the pillow butt, and the very top of the kilt, around the back and sides, is where the squeeze will be. On a traditional, it is a few inches down from the top. It might cause the kilt to slide down to where the top is at the natural waist etc...

[bricelythgoe]

I had a wool acrylic blend kilt and DID NOT like it. I quickly sold it after only a few months of having it. I much prefer the PV. I am actually ordering an 8 yard PV kilt from Norcalpiper. He runs Skye Highland Outfitters website. He has been a pleasure to do deal with. Plus his PV 8yard is 30-50 dollars cheaper than some other places. Hope this helps.

Brice

[kennethrmc]

I'll just chime in on the preferences: I have a Stillwater standard acrylic kilt that I bought for the price and the tartan. I so dislike it that I do not ever wear it. The acrylic feels/ hangs odd, and yes the "Pillow butt" looks unflattering. There's a very pronounced difference visually between it and my wool kilts. For the record, I do also have a heavyweight (wool) SWK and I do like it for camping, hiking, etc. Feel/ fit and look are much better than their acrylics and the price is unbeatable for a wool kilt.

I have friends who have USAKilts--both Cas and Semi-trad. They are great-looking kilts, I've examined them closely and they're very well made. A sem-trad fits right in visually beside more expensive wool kilts. So I'm jonesing for a USAK now--should be here before Christmas.

[NorCalPiper]

I LOVED my SWK Saffron kilt......I wore it a lot actually. But once I got my hands on a USAKilt IoS Casual that was made to measure....Man.....You just can't beat it. The MM PV material is sooooo much better than acrylic, there's just no comparison.

[Nighthawk]

I LOVED my SWK Saffron kilt......I wore it a lot actually. But once I got my hands on a USAKilt IoS Casual that was made to measure....Man.....You just can't beat it. The MM PV material is sooooo much better than acrylic, there's just no comparison.

What he said. If you're going to get a Stillwater, get the wool. Of you're not going to get the wool, get the USAK semitrad. So... Comparison:

PV material vs acrylic-

Acrylic pills terribly, PV does not
Acrylic gets all... blah... It starts to look like a mess after a while and seems to burn when you iron it no matter the setting- PV does not
Acrylic doesn't breathe worth a damn, PV breathes really well
Acrylic snags on everything (and I mean everything!) and PV does not
Acrylic doesn't handle wind well at all, and PV does
And then there's the fact the USA Kilt will be tailored for your measurements, while the Stillwater won't be. Don't get me wrong- I have 3 Stillwaters and love them- but the USA Kilt is by far your better bet if you only plan on owning 2 or three.

[SteveB]

You asked about certain types of kilts in the opening post. I own all of these types.
I own a Stillwater standard acrylic kilt in the Irish National tartan. It pills. I like it for certain occasions, but since getting a few more USAK in my Kollection, the Stillwater does not get as much use. I am 6'1", and the 24" length of an off the peg from Stillwater hangs in the right place. Jerry's delivery speed is legendary. It will take you longer to take out the basting stitches than it took Jerry to deliver it from the time you pressed "submit". SWK's are all off the peg.

I own a USAK Casual that is wrapped around me as I type. It is Poly-viscose, and like all of Rocky's kilts is made to measure. The pleats are wide and about 2" deep + or - the sett as mine is pleated to the stripe. This is a casual that I can wear out and about without feeling cheap. It fits better than my Sport Kilt, because it is made to fit me. After a day of driving a truck and then plunking down in front of the computer, all I do is hang the kilt up overnight and the pleats are back to the ready the next morning.

I also own several USAK Semi-traditional Poly-viscose kilts. The layout is virtually the same as a traditional 8yd wool kilt. The swish, and swing of the kilt is very close to the swish and swing of my wool hand sewn kilt. At several events people have thought the Semi-trad to be a regular Wool kilt.
It is a lot of bang for the buck. Even after a punk rock concert and the getting a bit splashed beer on it, it just washed up nice and by letting it hang to dry all the pleats were in perfect position.

Both the casual and the Semi-trad are wash and hang dry. Both have excellent pleat retention, the casual with the perma-pleat sewing and the semi-trad is a permanent press. My American Heritage Semi-trad is well over a year and a half old and is worn at least twice a week. It has yet to show any hint of wear.

BTW: Hello and a warm Celtic from Boston, Massachusetts. As you are new here, I am a full time kilt wearer. The kilt is the garment that I wear every day. My USAK's are regularly riding the subway, buses, and trolleys of the city, and can still take more abuse if needed, including the shoveling of snow during our winter season.

I hope this helps.

[Nighthawk]

You asked about certain types of kilts in the opening post. I own all of these types.
I own a Stillwater standard acrylic kilt in the Irish National tartan. It pills. I like it for certain occasions, but since getting a few more USAK in my Kollection, the Stillwater does not get as much use. I am 6'1", and the 24" length of an off the peg from Stillwater hangs in the right place. Jerry's delivery speed is legendary. It will take you longer to take out the basting stitches than it took Jerry to deliver it from the time you pressed "submit". SWK's are all off the peg.

I own a USAK Casual that is wrapped around me as I type. It is Poly-viscose, and like all of Rocky's kilts is made to measure. The pleats are wide and about 2" deep + or - the sett as mine is pleated to the stripe. This is a casual that I can wear out and about without feeling cheap. It fits better than my Sport Kilt, because it is made to fit me. After a day of driving a truck and then plunking down in front of the computer, all I do is hang the kilt up overnight and the pleats are back to the ready the next morning.

I also own several USAK Semi-traditional Poly-viscose kilts. The layout is virtually the same as a traditional 8yd wool kilt. The swish, and swing of the kilt is very close to the swish and swing of my wool hand sewn kilt. At several events people have thought the Semi-trad to be a regular Wool kilt.
It is a lot of bang for the buck. Even after a punk rock concert and the getting a bit splashed beer on it, it just washed up nice and by letting it hang to dry all the pleats were in perfect position.

Both the casual and the Semi-trad are wash and hang dry. Both have excellent pleat retention, the casual with the perma-pleat sewing and the semi-trad is a permanent press. My American Heritage Semi-trad is well over a year and a half old and is worn at least twice a week. It has yet to show any hint of wear.

BTW: Hello and a warm Celtic from Boston, Massachusetts. As you are new here, I am a full time kilt wearer. The kilt is the garment that I wear every day. My USAK's are regularly riding the subway, buses, and trolleys of the city, and can still take more abuse if needed, including the shoveling of snow during our winter season.

I hope this helps.

Are you insane?!?! Or maybe it doesn't get cold there... In Denver, my semitrad gets no use in winter at all. My five yard wool USAK, on the other hand, gets plenty of wear. But I will second everything else here- a USAK is a hell of a lot of bang for the buck. It's tough to tell the difference between one of these and a full 8 yarder. (Oh yeah- and I too am a full time kilt wearer.)