Assessing Kiltmakers Remotely

[Barb T]

I am blushing - thanks for the nice words, guys!

B

[James MacMillan]

There are so many factors and obviously people take note of comments and recommendations made by people in these forums.

Distance can be a factor also especially when an ocean is in the way and tariffs and paperwork and exchange rates also have to come into the equation.

Also time factors when there is a deadline to meet.

But we can still put kilt makers upon our wish lists!

No - No longer a factor! We have quality kiltmakers on both sides of the pond! Of course I know you are not implying that only the Scots can make a kilt....

[McClef]

No - No longer a factor! We have quality kiltmakers on both sides of the pond! Of course I know you are not implying that only the Scots can make a kilt....

Of course not James - the comment was regarding distance and bureaucracy only. Many orders are placed transatlantically in both directions!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A bit late in the day, but for what it's worth... I prefer Stewart Christie in Edinburgh simply because they are at the top end of the market in terms of fit, quality and service. Mr. Geoffery is very much mid-market; better than a lot of companies but in my opinion not really a top maker. The difference, I guess, is the difference between a suit from Nordsttrom's or a suit from Saville Row. What you really need to do is factor in to the final price of your kilt an actual visit to the kiltmaker. This, more than anything else, will assure a proper fit.

[Phil]

A bit late in the day, but for what it's worth... I prefer Stewart Christie in Edinburgh simply because they are at the top end of the market in terms of fit, quality and service. Mr. Geoffery is very much mid-market; better than a lot of companies but in my opinion not really a top maker. The difference, I guess, is the difference between a suit from Nordsttrom's or a suit from Saville Row. What you really need to do is factor in to the final price of your kilt an actual visit to the kiltmaker. This, more than anything else, will assure a proper fit.

A man after my own heart. They made one kilt for me and altered another and the workmanship is superb. And the price was actually less than Kinloch Anderson and the standard of finish incomparably better. If you aren't bothered about a top quality kilt then people like Geoffrey Tailor do a competent job. I can't speak for any American makers as we have plenty good ones here but I don't know if it is possible to get real bespoke tailoring in America nowadays.

[James MacMillan]

I don't know if it is possible to get real bespoke tailoring in America nowadays.

It is!

[Galician]

Apart from the condescending tone of the prior posts, I would just point out that a quick search for Stewart Christie shows that they don't have a website. It's hard to compare tailors, when some are available only by a personal visit 3,000-6,000 miles away.

[Don Patrick]

Personally, I only own one kilt, one made by Matt Newsome - a 16 oz Ancient Lamont. I was extremely happy with the quality of the kilt, it did take nearly six months to reach me, but I was prepared to wait, and the cost was high (but I think it was probably less costly than others I'd seen advertised). There were no problems with the purchase, so I didn't have the opportunity to see how he would have reacted to a complaint.

Having said all of that, I have no idea how his kilt stacks up against those of others. Without some sort of competition between the various kilt makers, I'd guess it would be rather hard for me to rate them overall. If nothing else though, I would however highly recommend Matt.

[Rex_Tremende]

Recommendations are indispensible, for sure. But when you have several of them, or you are a natural skeptic, and there's no way you're going to be able to afford the cost of a trip to Scotland, North Carolina, or Vancouver for measurements and fittings, the question is what is it that should inform one's decision, sight unseen.

For those of you who know the Whole Brain Model, this is my Blue corner expressing itself.

Thanks,
Rex.

[Phil]

Apart from the condescending tone of the prior posts, I would just point out that a quick search for Stewart Christie shows that they don't have a website. It's hard to compare tailors, when some are available only by a personal visit 3,000-6,000 miles away.

I don't think there was any intention to be condescending and if expressing an opinion is construed as such then there is just too much over-sensitivity here. I would not consider purchasing a kilt without a personal fitting and certainly wouldn't spend over £400 without a strong recommendation or two. Fair enough if you just want a wardrobe full of as the saying goes in the tailoring trade "never mind the quality - feel the width" but if you insist on first quality you unfortunately have to seek it out and pay for it. Stewart Christie enjoy a loyal clientele going back generations and don't need a website to scour for business. And remember not everyone posting here is American which in itself is a condescending point of view.