Black Watch Economy Wool Review

**brewerpaul** · 14th April 12, 01:58 PM

Greetings all,
Finally after two weeks of owning and wearing this Black Watch kilt Im going to write a few words about it. I bought it before I went to Colorado Spring on a camping trip with plans to wear it around camp, hike in it and generally enjoy it. Normally I wear my Elkommando kilts, which I did bring and wear to some degree, but I wanted a real kilt feel and look while out camping. This kilt comes from our friends and vendor Stillwater Kilts and is backed by their fast service and quality. I ordered the kilt on a Saturday and had it on my doorstep that next Tuesday, "Great fast service as always SWK." Ill preface this review by saying this kilt is made in Pakistan and I know there are strong feelings among the XMark's about this. Please keep the politics out of this as this is a review of a kilt offered at a great price by one of our best kilt sellers. I appreciate each view but this is about the kilt not the politics.

That said the kilt is a bargain at 81 dollars and is in limited supply. Having finally made a bit of overtime I jumped on the Black Watch, due to the fact it can be worn without worry of offending clan ties. Besides I like the Black Watch tartan. This kilt has the same quality of any of Stillwaters standard and heavyweight kilts. It is I think a 5 yard of the same wool as the heavy weight kilts, selvedge, double fringe on the apron, 3 straps, two belt loops, sewn down pleats to the hips, and 100% wool. I have one of SWK standard kilts but always wanted a wool and this was a way to get one. The kilt is pleated to stripe which I found quite nice. It has reasonable deep pleats that swish well and tend to blow up in the Colorado winds I encountered. It has a good deep first pleat and a deep pleat at the under apron. The fit is quite nice and length is standard at 24 inches. For me this kilt was a nice fit at a 38 waist and 24 inch length. I wore, and have been wearing the last two weeks, this kilt alot. It has gone from hiking, sitting in front of fires, 6 hours in a car to the brew pub for a pint. For me it is a great kilt that will get worn often, so much so I bought a second one for keeping nice.

Pros: Stillwater Kilts says it all, service and a quality product for your dollar. Very nice wool and well put together kilt, excellent construction and eye on detail (tartan stripes well lined up on pleats, belt loops match tartan stripe), deep enough pleats to give nice swish and sway, heavy enough to hang proper (much better than lighter wools or acrylic). A great bargain for those who want wool.

Cons: Only a couple. The belt buckle piece that slips through the strap hole (im sure it has a name) was sharp on a couple buckles. This was easily fixed with a file or emory board. The liner is of light nylon type material and tends to bunch up at the top of the kilt like an untucked shirt. I have to pull it down but I plan to use a couple of stitches into the fell to permanently fix that issue. Pretty much only those two issues and they are minor.

SO if you are looking for a good solid wool kilt I recommend this kilt. Remember this isnt a 500+ dollar tank, It is a very nice, well constructed and value priced kilt from our friends at Stillwater Kilts.

Below are photos of proof of kilt being worn. You wouldnt think I would post this without pics.

Fresh out of the box, basting removed. Excuse the socks I just got home from work.

View of the pleats sewn to stripe

One more of the pleating

Breakfast of Haggis, hash browns and eggs while camping.

Me cooking in style

Hiking in Garden of the Gods

My better half with me, she loves me in a kilt, lucky me

Her gone crazy with the camera, unfortunately sun was behind me

Ok a bit of wind and a Marylin Monroe

One good thing about wool it wont melt on you like acrylic or nylon

All told 8 days travel and camping, wore my Black Watch and two Elkommando kilts the whole time, wore jeans for 2 hours as I disassembled a floor loom(didnt want to embarrass people too much). Reception to the kilts was good to great with some people giving me the "Great Kilt" while I had on my Black Watch.

Thanks Stillwater Kilts for such great service and quality.

**LitTrog** · 14th April 12, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by brewerpaul

My better half with me, she loves me in a kilt, lucky me

That lovely smile is key to wearing the kilt confidently. And I love the Garden of the Gods! It's part of the same geologic formation that made Red Rocks Amphitheater, right?

**brewerpaul** · 14th April 12, 02:29 PM

I wouldnt swear to it but they seem to be the same type rock. Both are on the front range area so it would make sense they are close to the same rock and formations..

**LitTrog** · 14th April 12, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by brewerpaul

I wouldnt swear to it but they seem to be the same type rock. Both are on the front range area so it would make sense they are close to the same rock and formations..

Yeah, I live right by Red Rocks...maybe I should google. Or read a placard once in awhile. When were you in the Springs? Why didn't you call?! >Sniff<

**brewerpaul** · 14th April 12, 02:40 PM

Of course to compliment the kilt and allow me to always wear a memory of the trip I had to grab a rock and make a new kilt pin. Looks great with the kilt.

**Tartan Tess** · 14th April 12, 02:49 PM

I miss the rocks from the West....

**KiltedDixon** · 14th April 12, 04:54 PM

Nice pics! Thanks for the commentary on the Stillwater.

**CMcG** · 14th April 12, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by brewerpaul

...
That said the kilt is a bargain at 81 dollars and is in limited supply.

...It is I think a 5 yard of the same wool as the heavy weight kilts, selvedge, double fringe on the apron, 3 straps, two belt loops, sewn down pleats to the hips, and 100% wool...

I couldn't find this configuration listed on the website, just the $149, 7-8 yard heavyweights. Is it a new product, which has sold out, but will be back?

**brewerpaul** · 14th April 12, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I couldn't find this configuration listed on the website, just the $149, 7-8 yard heavyweights. Is it a new product, which has sold out, but will be back?

This kilt is listed in the Economy kilts not the heavy weight wool kilts. Available sizes 30-48 with 36 waist being sold out.

**opositive** · 14th April 12, 06:11 PM

i have been trumpeting the economy black watch for a couple of months and think it very good for the money. since then, i have been more willing to dish out the money for wool over other fabrics. i wear it often and have been debating whether to buy another.

d day museum in february