PV versus Wool

[RockyR]

DISCLAIMER: I am obviously biased as I own a company that sells both PV and wool kilts, so please take that into consideration while reading my response below:

Owning both, here's my take... much like Steve Ashton's, I agree that wool is by far the superior fabric to make a kilt from. I own and wear dozens of wool kilts and wear them most often.

That being said, if you're on a budget, PV is the best (in my mind the ONLY) alternative to wool. I have several PV kilts and wear them relatively often as well... they've been washed dozens of times and still look fine.

The pros of PV:
it's machine washable
it's coated with Teflon (the PV the WE get is)
it's much more affordable than wool.
*IMHO: it is much nicer than any other fabric in the low end pricepoint tartan fabrics

The Cons of PV:
It's only an 11 - 12 oz fabric (PV from MM is between 11 and 12 oz... although a few higher priced wool kilts are made in 11 oz material, a VAST majority are made in 13 or 16 oz wool)
Limited tartan selection
it's not wool... wool is the nicest fabric for a kit for those with the money

Bottom line: The decision is yours. Some people will ONLY buy a wool kilt, no matter what the cost. Others can not afford wool and will only buy PV. Some people are alergic to wool and like PV. We've had customers that have gotten married in a Semi Trad PV kilt. We've had people who won't wear a kilt (even to the pub) unless it's an 8 yard wool kilt.

Is wool worth the price on YOUR budget or will you be happy with a PV kilt? That's the question you have to ask and only you can answer. On XMARKS, you'll find people who come down on both sides of that fence.

We (USA Kilts) did a special run of the Army tartan in PV (1 time run only) and have about 30 meters left. We (and ANY reputable kiltmaker) can also get it in 13 oz wool.

Good luck with your decision!