Ok so after seeing the post on the Woollen Mill off-the-peg kilts I decided to try one. I ordered the the Isle of Skye in a 38. It was sent out Royal Mail lat Thursday and I received it today. Not bad for only $20 worth of shipping. Total cost including shipping was a hair over $240. Now that is not cheap for an off-the-peg kilt but it is made with Marton Mills 13 oz Isle of Skye, so it's not cheap material and it is properly licensed.
To start this is the most impressive off-the-peg kilt I have seen. To compare, the SWK heavyweights are nice for the price but they are not in the same league as this. They are also 1/2 the price.
The selvedge edge is perfect and the hand of the fabric is top end. The colours are a bit softer than show up with these pics. They are the colours you expect from the IoS.
There are no basting stitches in the pleats and the kilt was shipped in side two plastic mail bags. this pic was taken within minutes of the package arriving and as you can see the pleats certainly don't look like they just made a transatlantic trip.
To contradict what McClef said in his review, they do not remove the insides of the pleats along the fell. It looks and feels ok when it's on so it should be fine. Because they don't cut the pleats out there is no stiffener inside the back, just a short lining. This is the same technique used by SWK. I think it probably works fine when you are dealing with 13 oz material but I think it would be a bit bulky for heavier weights.
Bookmarks