Monday was the inaugural voyage of the new kilt. I don't have pics yet as the black soccer socks and sporran had not arrived to complete the outfit.
The quality of the stitching and shape of the kilt are awesome. The PV seemed a little stiff and abrasive at first but after a cycle in the wash and some fabric softener it was very comfortable. The pleats stay in place very well and the taper at the waist is straight and even. I like the look of the frayed bottom edge. This is a solid kilt! Highly recommend this kilt!
The only suggestion I would make is that the reverse pleat to the left of the outer apron be a few inches deeper. I noticed where the right side hangs flat and smooth with the top apron actually covering the first pleat, that the left tends to open up exposing more of the tartan inside the last pleat. It's not unsightly and the front apron still keeps a nice shape. At first I thought I was tightening it too much but upon looking at USAK's gallery it appears that this is common to the design. I read a review that the apron's were not quite wide enough and I see what they were talking about but it was not a real problem for me. Even with a spread leg seating stance there was enough coverage.
The reactions from folks at work were positive. I broke them in with my UK Survival which got a lot of stares so to finally be able to wrap their minds around it by providing the more obvious "Scottish" connection made them more comfortable to speak up. A few ladies said they really liked "this one" over the UK.
I'm sporting levis today and am significantly less comfortable than yesterday Soooo it looks like it's time to start making plans for another kilt 8)
I'm glad to hear it got a positive response from peers at work!
One thing though... do NOT wash it in fabric softener. Fabric softener (especially after REPEATED washings) tends to make the kilt TOO soft and the material TOO "floppy". If you wash it in Fabric Softener once, it's not too bad. If you wash it EVERY TIME in Fabric softener, it'll become too soft.
Best care for PV kilts... Machine OR hand Wash them in cold water with normal detergent (NO FABRIC SOFTENER) and let them HANG DRY. This will help to preserve the original condition of the kilt and extend the life of the kilt.
Soooo it looks like it's time to start making plans for another kilt 8)
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