Douglas Brown kilt review-- thetartanstore.co.uk

[ForresterModern]

I got a new kilt last week but have not had a good opportunity to take it out for a stroll til I looked at my work schedule today and discovered I would be in the office, no meetings, no travel, no patient care, for the whole day---perfect for a workday kilted.
A few months ago I came across a seemingly new Glasgow based online kilt and other highlandwear store called thetartanstore.co.uk that was different from others and did not seem affiliated with any other of the known stores I have haunted before. They had some interesting stuff, including some nice looking modern jacket and waistcoat combos in novel but very attractive materials. They offered a “grand opening” 20% off and free shipping coupon so I decided to look around a bit more and came across an interesting finding in the machine sewn kilt section, the fact that they would make a kilt in any tartan listed in the Scottish Tartan World Registry (STWR), with no extra charge for custom weaves. Between the discount and the custom weave potential, I was bitten by the bug to try them out by ordering a new 8 yd 16oz kilt in custom weave and relatively unknown Douglas Brown (STWR 2523), a modern color version of a Douglas tartan variation listed in Bishop and McBain’s tartan book with colors similar to the weathered Douglas but modern and far more vivid. I have a thing for Douglas variants (Ancient, Ancient Red, now Brown, and hopefully Weathered someday) as our family was affiliated with the Douglases in the border regions. After three months (I was notified shortly after ordering that there would be a delay due to the custom weave, but no additional charge) I received a tightly wrapped package containing my kilt compactly folded once each way into a quarter of its normal size. Standard three rows of basting stitches. Besides a few extra wrinkles that are a bit stubborn to even repeated hits with my steamer it seems like a very nice kilt. The fell and pleats are well lined up, generally invisible stitches, 3 quality buckles and straps and two belt loops, standard lining and construction otherwise, with a triple fringe front apron. Fit is spot on in the next to last of 6 strap holes (I have lost some weight recently). They sent a notification of shipping and tracking via Parelforce but it did not work, with the kilt arrived about three weeks later via USPS. Kilt used 7.7yds of linear tartan along the selvedge, appears to have been made of likely Dalgleish tartan (that nice feeling finish and a standard not tuck in selvedge), has 30 two inch deep pleats with one inch reveal each, and one reverse pleat about an inch and a half deep along the right margin of the under apron. NO problems IMHO with the kilt or the service, a great price and a custom weave rare tartan, definitely comparable to other machine sewns I own and difficult to tell from the few handsewns I own at casual review. And free flashes too---the nice rectangular ones with the bottom fringe, not the chevron cut ones. Pictures as below after being worn all day while I sat at my desk then drove home in the car, and ate dinner, so pardon the few extra wrinkles. Straight on rear pleat shot a bit too wrinkly to show ---must steam and maybe iron some soon.
I am still personally stuck on a custom kiltmaker making most of my kilts but could not pass up the opportunity to get a custom weave rare tartan machine sewn tank that cost me less than it probably would have cost me to get the custom weave tartan done alone. And I remain interested in some of their other accessories, specifically their kilt jackets and waistcoats.











Now to see how much luck it brings me on the golf course.

jeff

[Riverkilt]

What an elegant looking tartan!! Is that a Fleur de lis kilt pin too?

Sounds like you avoided some of the more common middleman traps. I'm too scared to deviate from my kiltmaker...sound like your risk paid off handsomely.

[Brian K]

Splendid, Jeff, simply splendid. I agree with Ron, it is a truly elegant tartan. It's nice to see when a gamble pays off.

Regards,

Brian

[ForresterModern]

What an elegant looking tartan!! Is that a Fleur de lis kilt pin too?

Sounds like you avoided some of the more common middleman traps. I'm too scared to deviate from my kiltmaker...sound like your risk paid off handsomely.

Thanks.

Yes that is a fleur de lis pin I picked up a few weeks ago---thought it appropriate because I live in Louisville, and with my distant relationship to the Norman conquest.

Yeah, I consider it a lucky shot in the dark but did do a little more research than I mentioned before pulling the trigger, and figured I would get at least a decent quality wool casual out of the whole deal at the worst. Plus they said if I was not satisfied send it back and they would make things right, one way or another. Risky venture for them with a custom weave tartan that put my risk taking mind at ease. I really think they are serious about breaking into the online business. Their site is well done but their distribution of products is spotty and borders on the marginally modern----some tweed and linen and other alternative fabric kilts and full outfits. Made me think a bit of TFCK and wonder if they were somehow related.

j

[English Bloke]

Nice kilt Jeff. Do you find the DC Dalgleish fabric wrinkles easier than others?

Just looked at their website. £290 for any tartan, machine stiched, seems like a pretty good deal still, even without the initial 20% discount. Especially when you consider that other suppliers are charging over £600 for a machined custom weave. Did you get the VAT off as well? All the sweeter if you did.

[ForresterModern]

Nice kilt Jeff. Do you find the DC Dalgleish fabric wrinkles easier than others?

Just looked at their website. £290 for any tartan, machine stiched, seems like a pretty good deal still, even without the initial 20% discount. Especially when you consider that other suppliers are charging over £600 for a machined custom weave. Did you get the VAT off as well? All the sweeter if you did.

I have two other Dalgleish tartan kilts and assume that this one is too, since they do most of the small batch custom weave stuff. One 13 oz Dalgleish does indeed wrinkle a bit more than the HOE or Strathmore 13s I own. The other 16 is plush and wonderful and no problems. This new kilt I think just spent too much time folded up and tightly bound (at least three weeks) so may be a little tough to get flattened out. More steaming in the offing.

The deal you mention is the one I got, with a somewhat more advantageous exchange rate plus the free shipping. A steal of a deal, although again taking a chance with a vendor of uncertain long term standing. Will probably be ordering a jacket set in tweed soon, especially if I can find another discount code. will post the outcome.


jeff

[English Bloke]

Yes, please do. My Bruce Hunting custom is Dalgliesh K1 (15 oz. according to their website) and it wrinkles very easily. I really have to be careful how I plonk myself down.

I think you played canny with yours though. Don'tcha juss luv a bargin! Aaaaagh... Too many Kilts and not enough money!!! I have a number of rare tartans on my wishlist and sites like this make them even more tempting.

[Oddern]

A really nice kilt and tartan Jeff. Now I have to check out that webshop...
Skål!

[Jack Daw]

I very much like that tartan. A good choice!

[kilted scholar]

Just looked at their website. £290 for any tartan, machine stitched, seems like a pretty good deal still

Yes, it may be a good deal for some people. However, it is not £290 for "any tartan" but tartans listed with the Scottish Tartans World Registry. This is, as I'm sure you know, a charity, and it does not list every tartan that is registered. For instance, it does not list many tartans that are on the Scottish Registry of Tartans, which was set up by the Scottish Assembly.