Who actually OWNS a Scottish hand-sewn?

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 1st September 04, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Xcop

I have an 8yd, 16oz.wool in Canadian Centennial from Burnett's and Struth. As far as I'm concerned nothin compares to it..the pleats, the swing. Oh to try a 10 yard wool..David

Dang X... that would go around me TWICE!

Originally Posted by episcopalscot

That being said, I am leaning more and more to getting a bearkilt...

T... I know how much I admire and wear mine, and you just can't go wrong when they're made right. Look who I'm telling THAT to!

Originally Posted by David Woodington

Well fitted,great hang and sway and nice and heavy.It's cost a little over 400.00.

David, that's actually a great price on a well-made "tank". Proper care and it will pay for itself by NOT wearing-out like some of the "cheapies". Atleast you know the stitching won't rip or pull with regularity.

Incidentally, I've gotten a few PMs and emails complaining about thread breaks and pulls from one kilt company. I know the stuff "breaks-down" with washings and dryings, so keep an eye out for such things before they get out of hand!

**Xcop** · 1st September 04, 10:48 PM

Jimmy,
Some of us are just sturdy enough to hold up that much weight..and I'm no lightweight... actually its the weight and the swing of the pleats, so am hoping that more yardage will yield more and deeper pleats andthus more weight and swing. My acrylic kilts are great in their place, but just don't compare. The weight and swing...ITS A MAN THING

David

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 1st September 04, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by Xcop

The weight and swing...ITS A MAN THING
David

"Kilohana"

Another one that gets it ! Arrrrrrr! 8)

**ggibby** · 3rd September 04, 06:32 AM

Like David Woodington, I too, went to Maggie McConnell at Highland Heritage of Wilmington, DE for my traditional 8 yard, in Graham of Menteith. I'd no experience with such and wasn't actually sure where I was going to get the money ($400), but Maggie suffers no fools.

She measured me with a quick eye, then tape to confirm. When she wrote down my name, she said "You'll be wanting the Menteith then." At which I asked if I might see a swatch. She was right.

And the kilt is a thing of beauty. Before my casual collection blossomed, I wore it quite a bit, including (brace, laddie), a very rainy Bay to Breakers in San Francisco. The kilt still looks mightier than my casuals, but to an experienced eye, well, some pressing might be in order.

When my brother finished university after only 5 1/2 years, we called Maggie for his kilt. As he & I are the same size & shape, she used my measurements. It's a Montrose, and a sight to behold as well. Check my gallery for our grad-day photo op.

I do admit, though, 'tis the texture that keeps me away from it. Indeed the movement and overall grandeur call to me, but, well, PV and cotton blends are nicer on my skin. I feel a cad to admit it. And going out in public wearing a $400 anything makes me nervous for my knockabout self. Life gets dirty sometimes.

Maggie warned me never to let a dry cleaner do more than spot-treat my preciousss, which then begs the question:
Where in Houston can I get my kilt pressed (ahem)?

**Mychael Sporrano** · 3rd September 04, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by ggibby

Maggie warned me never to let a dry cleaner do more than spot-treat my preciousss, which then begs the question: Where in Houston can I get my kilt pressed (ahem)?

This whole issue of dry cleaning also has me a mite baffled. With any regular wear, it seems inevitable that a kilt of any fabric will require some cleaning and pressing. The pressing of wool I can handle, though I am not adverse to paying a professional for this service from time to time. Spot cleaning of a stinky canvas/linen liner or soiled tartan doesn't seem daunting. As for an actual all out cleaning, I am not at all sure what to do and am hoping that there will be some advice given here in this regard.

Mychael

**ggibby** · 3rd September 04, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Mychael

Spot cleaning of a stinky canvas/linen liner or soiled tartan doesn't seem daunting.

Liner? DO go on! This sounds like, maybe what some would call a 'slip'? But in a manly swaggering way, of course...

Now I think I'm missing something in my kit.

**Mychael Sporrano** · 3rd September 04, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by ggibby

Liner? DO go on! Now I think I'm missing something in my kit.

Don't all traditional kilts have a canvas, linen, or viscose liner that serves to cover the scalloping of the pleats around the waist, as well as to give some stability at the small of the back to help hold the kilt from slipping?

If I gave the impression that it is a huge thing that covers the entirety of the inside of the kilt, I apologize!

Mychael

**ggibby** · 3rd September 04, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Mychael

If I gave the impression that it is a huge thing that covers the entirety of the inside of the kilt, I apologize!

No need of that, just my imagination. I do know what you mean by the lining.
A long day in the sun could make that a bit whiffy, eh?

**Rufus** · 3rd September 04, 12:22 PM

This thread is great!

I'm one of those people that needed this thread to learn more about the traditionals, and their place versus that of the casuals. This thread has answered questions I didn't even know I had until I read the answers!

I saved up for the last two summers, and have ~$500 for a kilt. So, I've had the big dilemma of 1 traditional, or 2 casuals. After reading this thread, I'm seeing the wisdom of purchasing something that may cost a lot more, but will also last a lot longer. I guess I'm trying to say that I should see a traditional not so much as just a purchase, but more as a long term investment.

So, thanks guys for all of your input, and especially to Jimmy for starting this thread.

**Mychael Sporrano** · 3rd September 04, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by ggibby

And going out in public wearing a $400 anything makes me nervous for my knockabout self. Life gets dirty sometimes.

Life DOES get dirty sometimes. I have thought exactly this more than once while wearing a traditional kilt on a casual walk uptown, trying to avoid the tarred telephone pools with my pleats. Usually I wear a casual kilt for such endeavors, but sometimes the soul gets a boost from feeling the weight and swing of a good ol' wool kilt.

Now, when I am really dressed nicely I have tallied myself as wearing more than $1000 worth of clothing and accessories. As we all know, this is quite easy to do when dealing with kilts, jackets, sporrans, etc... [As an aside, I used to work with an older woman who would have called me a "sport", which to her was a fellow who walked around all gussied up yet who had naught but wind in his pocket and empty promises.] Anyway, I know that I have earned my kilts and such through hard work and savings, still it can seem rather incongrous juxtaposed with the homeless fellow on the corner who invariably asks me for cigarettes that I never have.

Mychael