USA vs Stillwater

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Anyone have a USA kilts Philabeg and a Stillwater standard that can make a fair comparison. I am thinking about jumping on the Thompson bandwagon (my mother is a Thompson), but had had a few other kilts in mind first, so trying to decide on the Philabeg or wait and get a more substantial kilt later in Thompson.

Adam

Style:
USAK- they're sewn to fit the individual in waist, length and hips.
SW- they're sewn to fit in waist, but the hips and length are set at their sizes.

Material:
USAK- you have options, but the PV is wash-and-wear.
SW- they're acryllic and pretty much wash-and-wear with a little ironing.

Closure:
USAK- velcro
SW- three buckles

Tartans:
USAK- you want your clan?
SW- you get the few that they have.

Customer Service:
USAK- you'll get a custom-fit in pretty good time.
SW- you'll get a kilt in days that may need a little easy altering.

Value:
USAK- no question that the Philabeg or a BearKilt is GREAT for the money.
SW- still one of the best values in style and cost.

Overall, you're looking at two entirely different kilts. Sure they're tartans, but the look and fit is not the same. I happen to know how to hem a Stillwater, so they're a great value... and that's the one beef that guys have. The USAK will arrive ready-to-wear in virtually every case. The Stillwaters have three buckles and multiple/thin pleats that resemble a traditional. The USAK Philabegs are more like the casuals that we know, but have the draw of being (pretty much) maintenance-free.

Since I wear both, I can highly recommend both. Just be aware that the Philabeg is a comfortable casual, and the Stillwater is a little more formal in appearance.

The "Thompson" issue can only be met by USAK.

[jjoseph]

Style:
Material:
USAK- you have options, but the PV is wash-and-wear.
SW- they're acryllic and pretty much wash-and-wear with a little ironing.

Well.... I have both a Thompson Grey philebeg from USA and Stillwater heavies, standard and econo... I disagree about the Stills holding up to wash and wear unless you mean handwash... The Stillwater twills do NOT hold up well to machine washing/drying and get looking worn out REALLY fast. They hold up great to hand washing and are low maintenance that way as they don't need much of an iron. I had a seamstress sew the edges of the pleats (to keep them crisp) and sew the pleats down over the hips (to give them shape) on the econo and standard and they look worlds better. The heavy was already great (if the length is a good match for you).

The USA on the other hand needed no alteration and the Thompson fabric is going to hold up VERY well. (but I'll still be handwashing just in case)

Closure:
USAK- velcro
SW- three buckles

Call me old fashion, but I loathe velcro.

Customer Service:
USAK- you'll get a custom-fit in pretty good time.
SW- you'll get a kilt in days that may need a little easy altering.

USA got me a kilt very promptly, but SW got me one in 3 days... but the seamstress took another week.

Value:
USAK- no question that the Philabeg or a BearKilt is GREAT for the money.
SW- still one of the best values in style and cost.

Good value with either one.

The "Thompson" issue can only be met by USAK.

And it's a great, cool fabric.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I currently have a Stillwater standard in Nightstalker and a Sportkilt in Gun Metal Gray and just ordered a philabeg from Rocky (how will I stand the wait, might have to buy another "value" kilt that I can get right away).

Anyway, great summary Jimmie. I would also add that the Sportkilt is a bit light. It doesn't take much of a breeze at all to cause the front apron to flap. Of course, a kilt pin would probably help that. Now I know what I can look to buy today, although I am hoping there will be some Xmarks ones available after Hank gets everyone else's shipped.

RJI

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Scotty, you're right about the washings. I learned LONG ago not to put a kilt in a machine. Certain fabrics will "ball-up" and wear thin with the agitation.

Therefore, I hand-wash all my kilts... except for my UtiliKilts which will stand-up to a friggin' sand blasting!

KiltedCodeWarrior, while you're looking for a kilt pin, take the time to examine your interests and search for something that expresses them. I was at the "House of Blues" in Atlantic City last Friday and found a nice, heavy guitar-shaped pin with the HoB logo on it. Great weight for a kilt pin! I was as an Irish Festival the week before, and found an Irish Harp pin that works GREAT on my Irish National. I've also been known to wear my Elvis "TCB" Lightning bolt pin on my solid black kilt.

Get out there and find a statement!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Jimmie,

I plan on it! Getting the Xmarks pin is just an easy decision and hopefully I can get one some time soon while I look for the pin that expresses my personality and attitude.

And on a related note, I think my avatar needs to change. It was cool when I picked it because the numbers under the hood kept changing, a la the Matrix, but that doesn't show up here. I am feeling like it is too "dark" for me. I am a very upbeat person. Need to go search.

RJI

[Richland]

Yes, if the wind is blowing, the sport kilts can rise up, A kilt pin helps.
so a heavier fabric is a good idea. I was thinking of tacking in the weights that they use to keep drapes down to the bottom hem of my sportkilt. (Just a thought.) Richland