USA vs Stillwater

[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.