My First USA Kilts Casual

[pbutts]

(a couple of my students asked for a pic when we ran into them on our first outing to the local pub with the new kilt)


Since the casual kilt is often a first time purchase, I thought it might be worth sharing my reactions as someone who is buying his first casual as a fourth kilt, to supplement a 4 yard Newhouse box pleat, a full tank band kilt, ably constructed by our band 's quartermaster, and a Stumptown utilikilt.

Some of the first things you notice are the weight and the fabric, of course....once the kilt is on, this is a non-issue, as there are multiple advantages. Nonetheless, unwrapping the pack I had a momentary sense that I had made a mistake....yes it is lighter, no the pleats aren't basted, yup there were some wrinkles.

Taking a look inside, it takes a minute or two to acclimate yourself to the machine stitching and hemming. Without the lining and stabilizing of a traditional kilt, it's a very different garment on the inside. The pleats are top stitched all the way to the hem at the waist which is finished with a sturdy hemline all the way around. the two sets of Velcro enclosures are stitched to the very outside edges of the aprons. The bottom hem is ingeniously stitched all the way around and doesn't seem to encumber the pleats much. The hem on the apron edges are only tacked down every 4-5 inches, which probably isn't a problem except I found my hands fussing with the hem a bit. The other construction detail that should be mentioned is the belt loops are positioned in a modern fashion with two at the front and one at the back. since I typically only use the belt loops for a sporran strap -- the two in the front are too close and the one in the back doesn't do much-- I would have asked to have them left off if I had known.

Rocky's two week rush job is phenomenal. I placed the order Sunday night and with regular shipping the kilt arrived two Fridays later....a full two and a half weeks before the birthday it was purchased to celebrate.

So when I finally got to try it on, here are my observations. I mentioned wrinkles earlier; by the time I had started a shower to steam them out, they had smoothed themselves out on the hanger. First and foremost, it feels like a real kilt. The fabric is noticeable primarily by the absence of stress over food, cat hair, sweat, etc. (heck, I even did the dishes the first time I put it on) I ordered the same measurements as my Newhouse, and the waist and fell both fit well. The pleats move nicely even if the swish doesn't match my band tank. Being used to both my single strap Newhouse and the snap scheme of the Stumptown, the Velcro works well. My only other negative (besides the belt loop issue) is the reverse pleats next to the apron seem shallow. The apron doesn't hang quite the way I'm used to and I think on the next one (oh yes, there will be another casual in the future) I will go with an extra half inch or so at the waist.

For about $100, this is a great kilt.