question for GG

[phil h]

how was tartanwear direct to deal with?
how did you contact them, via their website or by phone?
whitch kilt did you get?
was it polly/viscose or wool?
did you get charged the V.A.T tax, if outside the UK?
how do you like the kilt?
pros and cons?
thanx

[GG]

Twice I have bought from Tartanwear direct. Both kilts are poly/viscose, the first one being in Ancient Campbell tartan (recently increased from 39£ to 42 £), the second one is a Royal Stewart, still priced at 39 £. The prices included British VAT, 17% (sent to DK). Including shipment I paid around 51 £ per kilt.

I bought the kilts via their website. The first time I also by email inquired about delivery times. I promptly got an answer that it would take between one and two weeks – which proved to be true.

I do like both kilts very much. You cannot compare them with tartan kilts costing four or five times as much. And you shouldn’t, of course.
But when comparing them to an Amerikilt or a Utilikilt, the quality and craftsmanship of the TWD-kilts are just as good, at least, I would say.
First of all the TWD-kilts do not need much ironing, if any. They just keep their pleats. Here they are miles ahead of my AK’s and UK’s.

In the near future I’m going to order my third TWD-kilt, probably the Camel Thomson or their woollen black fashion kilt, selling for 105 £.

For a closer look, you might see picture in my gallery.

GG

[beverlonian]

Phil,

I have a 16oz wool (heavy-weight) and a PV. I've posted the following comments previously....

Pros: Quick delivery, good price.
Cons: Not pleated to sett or stripe (random pleating). Apron fringe not aligned to tartan pattern. Made from what appears to be remnants of material, i.e. two pieces of cloth sewn together (probably how they keep their prices low). Leather straps a bit lightweight.

The above 'cons' were not mentioned on the web-site. Whilst I wear these kilts regularly, I'm very much aware that someone who 'knows' kilts would soon spot the deficiencies.

Once again.......you get what you pay for.

[phil h]

thanx guys,
do they have a nice wide apron?
what is your waist size and how wide is the apron?

[GG]

My kilts are waist size 36”. Apron on the TWD-kilts is 19”. So, yes, it’s a wide apron.

Having seen Joe’s answer I’m still of the opinion that you get more than you pay for.
Of course cost savings must be made. But to me the basic things regarding the kilts from Tartanwear-direct are great.

Like with all goods marginal utility is not proportional with higher prices / better quality, meaning that from a certain level you actually and increasingly pay more than you get.

Joe says that he is

very much aware that someone who 'knows' kilts would soon spot the deficiencies.

Yes, probably they would, provided they were at talking distance with you, and they had the time to recognize the deficiencies. But the majority of people seeing me in a kilt are most likely seeing a kilt for the first time in their lives. They have not the slightest idea, weather the pleats should be set to the stripe or to the box or in any particular way at all.
Should I meet somebody else interested in wearing a kilt – for example any of you in this forum – I guess that the fact that I actually wore a kilt should be much more important than whether I had spent a lot of money on it.

Still we are here talking casual wear. If I should attend a wedding dressed to kilt and together with other men in highland attire I would certainly buy a high quality woollen kilt.
The Tartanwear-direct kilt certainly can replace jeans, shorts and most other makes in non traditional/modern kilts. And NO, I'm NOT on their pay role, just a satisfied customer.

More about this on my homepage http://uk.geocities.com/free2skirt/p007.htm

GG

[beverlonian]

Phil,

Mine are also 36" waist. The apron is 18" at the waist (19" if you include the fringe) tapering out to 20" at the bottom.

GG,

I'm certainly not 'knocking' TWD - just pointing out that you are not getting what you would if paying full price which is not apparant from the website. I wear both mine regularly (PV when it's warm, wool when it's cold) but would not wear either for a formal occasion. The wool kilt is very akin to my full-price kilt (heavy and warm) - because of the cost I would not wear that one as regularly as the TWD.

[Martin]

I also have a tartanwear direct kilt in the Ancient Campbell tartan. It is the 16 oz weight and must agree with beverlonian.

This is not an absolutely top quality item as refected by the price. However, it's fine for casual daywear. (i'm wearing mine now). I wouldn't say it was suitable for formal outfits.

there are only 2 straps fitted as standard, but they will fit a third on request.

[phil h]

thank you all for your advice, I have had my eye on one for a while.
I even called to order one, but the girl was'nt sure what to do about the V.A.T, the girl who knew was out, and was out the next day when I called.
I know the V.A.T isn't much, but why should I pay tax when I don't have to? I pay enough tax.

FYI people outside the UK dont pay Value Added Tax.
it's like GST for the Canadians.

[bubba]

FYI people outside the UK dont pay Value Added Tax.
it's like GST for the Canadians.

Yeah, Govt extortion racket. They take money for nothing.