Future kilt comparison

[TimButterfield]

Now that I have satisfied my rushed kilt acquisition urge with a Stillwater heavyweight Black Watch kilt to get me started, I am looking to have something made to order in my desired Washington State district tartan. I am considering these casual kilts from Scotweb and/or The Tartan Thistle. The links are to the items. The Scotweb kilt would use the 15oz tartan from DC Dalgliesh. The Tartan Thistle kilt would use the 16oz tartan, probably from Lochcarron given the other links on their site. To control the budget, I am looking at the casual kilts instead of the traditional 8 yard kilts. I'm tempted to stretch the budget a bit and get both of these so I can compare the results and switch off between them as I wish to wear them regularly for both casual and business casual use. But, if I can only get one, I'm curious as to what the differences may be between them. Are the colors from one mill a little lighter or darker than the other? Perhaps only swatches will tell for sure, but I would rather not have the fabric created and then not get the kilt from that site. Are there manufacturing differences it would be helpful to know about? Since I know there are things I have not considered yet, any advice on this purchase would be appreciated. Thanks.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I would suggest that unless the Tartan Thistle had invested in a bolt of Washington State tartan from Lochcarron, which they hold in stock to take kilt orders from, then the tartan they would use for your casual kilt would also be woven by Dalgliesh. Lochcarron is not going to do a short run of the tartan cloth just for your kilt.

So the differences between the two options you are considering may not be as great as you think.

[TimButterfield]

Hi, Matthew. Thanks for the response. When I inquired of them as to their stock, they mentioned having an 11 oz in stock and possibly a 16oz at the mill, but did not specific which mill. I was just guessing it might be Lochcarron because their lists of tartans links to the Lochcarron lists. They did mention a 60" fabric width, though I'm not sure that is much help. I have sent a follow up inquiry, but will not receive a response for a while as their last contact mentioned closing until next week. I don't mind being patient for that, though I need not be idle in my research. ;)

[TimButterfield]

I heard back from The Tartan Thistle earlier than expected. Their 16oz is from Lochcarron, especially milled for them.

[digitalR2]

If you're going to order your kilt from Scotland I would also suggest Houston Kiltmakers. High quality kiltmakers. I'm not sure about the price, cheaper or dearer, but definitely worth a call.

[TimButterfield]

Thanks, @digitalR2. I had not heard of them before.

I did find another supplier. An Xmarks partner, Burnett's & Struth, has some stock of the 16oz Washington State tartan from Lochcarron. When I spoke with Brandon, he also mentioned being able to add a couple of yards to their casual kilt to make something like the short yardage tank I had read about in another thread. Of course, that particular kilt is also machine sewn, though I do not know if that affects the appearance.