Canada Kilt review

**Colin** · 8th October 04, 11:35 AM

Earlier this week I picked up my new kilt from David McDonald at Canada Kilt (a semi- regular attendee at Kilts Night). I ordered a MacKenzie tartan kilt, pleated to the stripe, a semi dress sporran, version C, and a Kilt belt and buckle. I managed to get all this for around $300 cdn.

I have not have a lot of opportunity to try out the kilt, but I wanted to give a bit of a review right now.

The kilt is made out of acrylic, and is cut in the traditional style. The “to the stripe” pleating is great, and I am glad that David recommended it. There are 37 deep pleats in the kilt, and so far as I can tell the swing is quite nice. The only complaint that I have about the pleating is that there is no reverse pleat at the start of the inner apron. This however does not affect the look or feel of the kilt in any major way that I can tell.

The fabric looks very close to wool, and is actually quite warm considering the very light weight feel of the kilt. The inside is lined, and the kilt is fastens with three straps and buckles.

My only real issue with the kilt is the ironing of the aprons and the pleats. Of course this comes from having three Bear Kilts that you can basically drive a car over and not need to iron. I am sure that I will get used to this very soon, and will be very well prepared for a “tank” when I find one that I need to own.

The sporran is very cool, and the belt and buckle are great. I will need to get used to the belt adjustment buckle in the back of the belt.

The main selling feature for me is the customer service that I received from David. The average delivery time for a Canada kilt is roughly 3 to 4 weeks. My kilt seemed to have taken a bit of a detour (David was receiving orders placed after mine within 2 weeks, whereas mine was in the post for a month). David was extremely apologetic, and sought every solution to insure that I was informed and satisfied with my purchase once it had arrived.

I have since ordered a Balmoral from Canada Kilt, and I am very certain that I will order another kilt from them in the future.

A fine job you have done David. www.canadakilt.com

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 8th October 04, 12:46 PM

I was going to ask you earlier in PM whether or not you received it yet. I'm in dire need of another kilt, since the other 12 are getting "old" to me. Canada Kilts was one of three companies that I'm considering.

If mine comes with the final pleat facing "in", then I'll ammend that myself... easy to do.

Here's a question that I'm REAL interested in, and I hope that you know the answer through my explaination.

The pleats (ALL of them)... are they sewn where you can see the individual pleats and the stitching where they meet, or are they hidden stitched like the hand-sewns from the old country? IF they are hidden stitched, how far down from the beltline does the hip sewing go? It should be around 6" to 8" approximately.

All this will help me to determine the look and the maintenance that will be needed. I NEED a "Formal" kilt since I have enough "Traditionals". This seems to fit the mold!

FINALLY... my kudos to Canade Kilts on the number of pleats. Since Colin's not a 90 inch waist, that's a wonderful testimonial to the construction... provided the depth of the pleats exists. THAT alone will help with the sway, weight and fit.

**Colin** · 8th October 04, 12:55 PM

Jimmy, I unfortunately do not know the answer to your questions. The pleats seem to be sewn to the bottom of the waist band, but the lining goes down way further than that. Here's what it looks like http://canadakilt.com/kiltmf.jpg

I really haven't had a lot of time to wear it or inspect it just yet. I am hoping to this weekend.

I would direct the question right to David at david@canadakilt.com

I will take a few photos this weekend, and send them to you on Tuesday (Monday's a holiday here) if that will help. Let me know what I should be looking for.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 8th October 04, 01:07 PM

Thats pretty cool, Colin... just like Christmas come early. 8) The kilts look good on the Canadakilts website & it appears that the pleats run in the "correct" direction. Is the inner apron deep enough and are the straps decent quality? I really like the sporran you chose. It certainly looks dressy enough to me. You're gonna be drivin the ladies wild.

cheers!

**Colin** · 8th October 04, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Blu (Ontario)

Thats pretty cool, Colin... just like Christmas come early. 8) The kilts look good on the Canadakilts website & it appears that the pleats run in the "correct" direction. Is the inner apron deep enough and are the straps decent quality? I really like the sporran you chose. It certainly looks dressy enough to me. You're gonna be drivin the ladies wild.

cheers!

Let's not tell my wife that little bit , okay.

The inner apron is quite long. The straps are actually extremely long ( room for growth) , but you are able to trim them to suit your on preferance (which I have already done).

I like the sporran too. Now I have 3 really good ones

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 8th October 04, 04:03 PM

Hard to see the sewing from that picture unfortunately. It looks as though there's a sewed line about 8 inches down... and I hope that's not the case!

The wide waistband is original with that pleating! That's a VERY good thing! Let me know how a buckle under the beltline works-out. That could easily be termed a "Formal" kilt!!!

I like the originality in the kilt. I don't know of another company that has that set-up... and that's how it should be! Original, lots of pleats, and a cost that won't break the bank. NICE!!!

**richardljohnson** · 8th October 04, 04:50 PM

I always love to pictures of quality sewn kilts and this looks like one.

RLJ-

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 9th October 04, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by richardljohnson

I always love to pictures of quality sewn kilts and this looks like one.

RLJ-

Hey Richard, go buy one and let me know.

I'm still in awe of the 38 pleats! That alone can speak for the pleat depth since the pattern is broad! I like the wider waistband for comfort!

What I forgot to ask was this:

Colin... the wider waistband with the AWESOME pleating has me a little confused. Is this supposed to be worn high like a "Traditional", or is it designed to look like that and be worn on the hips like a "Formal"?

If it's the latter... I'm ALL OVER THIS PURCHASE!!!

**mcnice** · 9th October 04, 04:12 PM

those kilts looks the same as from getshirty.com except the fringe and two instead of one buckle.

so i presume they are of better quality, but just in case avoid this shop i refered to, cause once the kilt was of poor quality but worse their service was incredible boring...