Hey Homie. Yes... I have experience (even with the New for 2005 stuff) with StillWater. I'll tell you what I'll tell everyone else:

StillWater Kilts has gone out of their way to push the business and the quality of their kilts beyond what we're used to.

The Company: though small and mostly done on eBay, they're quite good at customer service and product satisfaction.

The STANDARD Kilts: are the one to buy. Until the new line is introduced this Summer, the Standards are one of the "Best Buys" in kilts. Where else are you going to get a three-buckle, high-sitting, numerous-pleated kilt for under $80 (includes shipping)? Gentle care and maintenance will have your kilt around for quite a while.

Upgrading the Kilt: IF you're in the mood, you can easily sew-down the hips to help control the sway and rigidity of the pleats. Make sure to iron-in the taper on the left side of the front apron.

Shockers for the cost: You'll have a kilt with more than 2-dozen pleats (easily even for a smaller waist), a tapered apron with double fringe on the right edge, three leather straps, some cool tartans, and the knowledge that you're not spending much. You'll also have something that's wearable in public.

Comparison: The ONLY kilt that's actually in the same category (off-the-rack & inexpensive) are SportKilts. SportKilt has many more available tartans, and the options for loops, sewn-down pleats and a pocket. SportKilts, however, still has no intention of making sure that the tartan is sewn into a pattern. That means that the aprons have no symmetry, the pleats are randomly sewn, and the overall appearance is "ultra-casual". SportKilts are worn on the hips... StillWater Kilts are worn up on the belly (more traditionally). SportKilts are just that: for sports or lounging. StillWater Kilts takes the wear-factor up a notch.

Material: is pretty nice, especially in comparison with the other low-cost kilts. It's NOT a thin cotton or cotton-poly. There's some "umph" to the fabric. The tartans CAN BE a little smaller than you may be used to. The Irish National is thinner than you'll find from the House of Edgar. For the price... you'll EASILY be able to live with it.

StillWater Kilts has provided a low-cost alternative that actually is wearable. The "New for 2005" additions are a nice touch. The tapered aprons with double-fringe, the SEWN TO SETT patterns, the three straps, the numerous pleats, the lining, and the price are WELL worth your consideration.

I own a LOAD of kilts from other kiltmakers, and they all have their place. For me, the StillWater Kilt is worn for Pubs that are going to get rowdy. It's worn in places where damage won't have me regretting wearing the kilt. If it came down to wearing a StillWater or a SportKilt... there's absolutely NO COMPARISON. I don't own a SportKilt anymore, and I just did a gig in the StillWater on Tuesday Night.

Along with the Buzz Kidder and Freelander Sporrans, StillWater Kilts (Standard Version) are actually in the category of "you get more than you pay for". Could YOU make this kilt cheaper? Probably. Is it worth having in NO TIME and saving the work of tracking-down straps and buckles, doing the sewing, finding the tartan, and only having to wait a matter of a few days to receive (in most cases)? That's entirely up to you. All I can tell you, is that I'm writing this information while I'm sitting in one.

StillWater Kilts Website
7500 16th Ave S
Richfield, MN 55423
sales@stillwaterkilts.com
www.stillwaterkilts.com
612.859.5764