SWK Economy Kilt Review

**TheKiltedCoder** · 26th June 08, 01:37 PM

Good Afternoon, All,

As I'd ordered my second Nightstalker standard kilt, I'd looked at the Economy kilts on SWK's web site, thinking that I'd much rather spill something on a $37 kilt than on a $80 kilt.

So, I look at the Economy kilts. I'm not interested in a tartan right now (when I do a tartan, I want it to be a tank. Possibly even a homemade tank). So, I look at the solids, and, unfortunately, I really only look good in non-colors (grey, black and shades thereof). So, I look at the black Economy kilts. At that point, Jerry only had them in sized that went with "men of some constitution." (I think the smallest was a 48" waist). I'd left an e-mail with him to let me know when he got some more in in a 38" waist.

I got the email last Friday, and submitted an order for 3 Economy black kilts within half an hour of receiving the e-mail. The sparrows did their thing, and they arrived Monday.

The pictures shown on SWK's website didn't (for me) quite reflect what I got. When I looked at the pictures, I was unable to see any difference between the Economy and Standard lines as far as construction went. Obviously, there'd HAVE to be some sort of difference, if the Economy kilt was less than half the price of the standard, but it wasn't easily visible on the web site.

The primary differences are the weight of the fabric, the comfort liner inside, and the stitching of the pleats. Taken from last to first, the pleats on the Economy line are completely unstitched (the Standard model's pleats are stitiched from waist to fell line). This means that, where the Standard model only had one row of basting (along the bottom edge) the Economy model comes with 3 rows (bottom, middle, and waistband). It is also obvious from the way the Economy kilts are basted that there is no taper from fell to waist. This isn't really a problem, since the pleats are completely unstitched: the kilt just "opens up" around your bottom as much as is needed. The basting was slightly irritating, though: the Economy kilts appear to be basted BEFORE the waistband and buckles are attached. On all three of the Economy kilts I purchased, the basting went underneath the two top buckles, and I had a devil of a time picking it out with a steam ripper, and at least one kilt still has some basting under a buckle (I finally gave up teasing it out and just cut the basting thread on each side of the buckle).

The comfort liner is only about the size of a short shirt tail and is in back only (instead of going all the way around the kilt the way the comfort lining does in the Standard model).

Finally, the fabric is LIGHT. And airy. And feels incredibly good in the heat around Chicaga right now. I was very surprised at how light it was. And, fortunately, it irons very easily. Set the iron to the lowest steam setting and you can have it looking nice in a jiff.

This time, thanks to my experience building my first XKilt, I did the blind hems myself (SWK's generally come at a uniform 24" length, and I've got MunchkinLegs (tm). My measured length from waist to knee is 20.5").

As I've noted in several of my previous posts, I'll be on vacation in Oregon next week, and was really hoping to have something lighter than my SWK Nightstalker. And these really fit the bill.

Bottom line: I was hoping for something a little nicer (something I could wear to work, for instance), and I'm not quite sure they're nice enough for that. However, for around the house or bumming around stores doing shopping on vacation in a warm climate, they'll be absolutely perfect. I don't think I got what I wanted, but I DO think I (luckily enough) got what I needed.

Bottom(er) line: They're a $37 kilt. They're nice enough, but something that people won't cry too hard over if they were to suffer a mischief.

Also of note was that, in my e-mail communication with Jerry, he noted that they may be discontinuing the Economy line since they're pretty close to the Thriftikilt line. My thought is that I'd still be willing to pay an extra $10 for the leather strap closure rather than velcro, but I may be alone in that.

**Nick the DSM** · 26th June 08, 01:50 PM

I'm with you on the 10 extra for a buckle.

seems i better get one soon before he discontinues it.

one question, would you consider buying another one or would just get another standard.

**TheKiltedCoder** · 26th June 08, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

I'm with you on the 10 extra for a buckle.

seems i better get one soon before he discontinues it.

one question, would you consider buying another one or would just get another standard.

Sure. They're nice enough for daily wear, and, as I tend to be pretty warm anyway, really like the lightness of the kilt. I just wouldn't wear one anyplace I wouldn't wear jeans.

**Nick the DSM** · 26th June 08, 06:08 PM

oh ok. i plan on getting one for a friend and i wanted to know more about it.

**CelticRanger66** · 26th June 08, 06:15 PM

Thanks for your post!

**Makeitstop** · 26th June 08, 06:42 PM

I have a black economy. I don't wear it as much as my thrifties simply because they are a little faster to put on. But I do like it. The buckles are nice, and I think the fringe is a bit better.

Still, if I was going to order another swk (I'm forbidding myself, as I'd rather save up for some nice contemporaries) I'd probably just go with more thrifties for cheapness and convenience.

**12stones** · 26th June 08, 07:05 PM

How feasible would it be to just sew down the fell of the Thrifty or Economy?

**Makeitstop** · 26th June 08, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by 12stones

How feasible would it be to just sew down the fell of the Thrifty or Economy?

I believe I've heard of others doing that. It shouldn't be too hard, just tedious.

**ncof300d** · 26th June 08, 07:26 PM

The first two kilts that I purchased were Economy. I have done a lot a living and working in them. (including building my chicken coop) For $37 they have provided many hours of comfortable living. I can not 'knock' them on any level for their cost. Today I do not prefer to wear them as much, but that is because my 'new love' is my SWK Heavy Weight. When I purchased my Economies the Thrifty was no available. I have no reservation in recommending a SWK Economy for a first kilt.

**TheKiltedCoder** · 26th June 08, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by 12stones

How feasible would it be to just sew down the fell of the Thrifty or Economy?

I'm thinking quite seriously about trying that. In my case, there are two gotchas:

1. Since there is no taper from waist to butt, you'd have to do the calculations a la the XKilt instructions to ensure that you could still fit your butt into them once you were done, and

2. Remember me saying that the acrylic is very light. I'd be concerned about stitch visibility (although since I'd be stitching through at least 4 (if not 6) layers of cloth, that may not be as big a concern as I'm thinking it might).

I think that it would fit much more nicely (and would look nicer) if stitched from waist to fell. I wouldn't want to just tack at the fell line. I'd go whole hog.