A few overasked questions

[Ethren]

Hello all,

I, like everyone else, has the general, overused questions that I searched for, but couldn't really find what I was looking for. So question number one is: I am looking for a cheap (and I mean cheap, but still trad. in terms of tartan) kilt that is good for warm and cold weathers (nothing extreme mind you, just a lot of fluctuating weather). I've look at USA kilts, Stillwater, and this site: http://www.highlandstore.com/index.html, but I'm still not sure, and I don't really know much about choice number three (which is question number two, anyone know anything about these guys?). So any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks a lot, and sorry for the rambling!

[Freelander Sporrano]

I see that stwkilts do a heavyweight for 99 -145 dollars.
http://www.stillwaterkilts.com

I've no first hand experience of them but there are many here that have

[millar]

I just bought a stillwater heavyweight blackwatch. The kilt is subtantial and well built. I think Stillwater is currently clearing out the inventory and is expecting some new product, so there have been some great deals with them on Ebay. The customer service is great and I can't recommend him enough. As far as the other kilts they offer I have not seen a complaint yet. There are a number of pictures on this site of members wearing the kilts manxman just posted a black stewart economy and davedove has some pictures of the irish national standard. Good luck

[auld argonian]

My "starter kilt" is a Stillwater Standard Night Stalker and I'm really enjoying it. Bear in mind that you have to deal with the 24" length...to illustrate what that entails, consider that one of the other Xmarks members, Kilted Code Warrior, has the same kilt and we both met up at Chicago Celtic Fest...now KCW must be 6'3" or thereabouts and I'm 5'11" (on a good day)...so I always feel like I'm wearing it a bit high but when I ask anyone they look and say that it looks just about right. And it is really comfy to wear and it's pretty warm...glad that fall is here.

So I'd certainly personally recommend Stillwater as a good entry-level kilt for the frugal...but be forewarned that what everyone here has often said is, in fact, true: kilt wearing IS addictive...you'll be craving that tank before too long!

best

auld argonian

[davedove]

but be forewarned that what everyone here has often said is, in fact, true: kilt wearing IS addictive...you'll be craving that tank before too long!

And once you've got the tank, it will be hard wearing a lesser kilt. I've got a few Stillwater standards, but my tailored kilt just feels so much better I hardly wear the Stillwaters anymore!

[Colin]

Of those options, the Still water heavy is probably the warmest for winter (maybe too warm for the summer depending on where you are), but the USA Kilt is the only option that is custom made to your measurements. Personally I would go that route and get a Casual or a Semi-traditional (more of a traditional kilt cut) that is made to fit you perfectly. The price might be more, but having a kilt to your measurements is way better than off the rack. Also check out www.scottishkilts.net as they have some machinesewn kilts for relatively cheap in wool.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

My "starter kilt" is a Stillwater Standard Night Stalker and I'm really enjoying it. Bear in mind that you have to deal with the 24" length...to illustrate what that entails, consider that one of the other Xmarks members, Kilted Code Warrior, has the same kilt and we both met up at Chicago Celtic Fest...now KCW must be 6'3" or thereabouts and I'm 5'11" (on a good day)...so I always feel like I'm wearing it a bit high but when I ask anyone they look and say that it looks just about right. And it is really comfy to wear and it's pretty warm...glad that fall is here.

So I'd certainly personally recommend Stillwater as a good entry-level kilt for the frugal...but be forewarned that what everyone here has often said is, in fact, true: kilt wearing IS addictive...you'll be craving that tank before too long!

best

auld argonian

I'll echo Auld's comments. I really like my SW Standard in the nightstalker tartan, and yes kilt wearing is addictive! Just check out the many posts on people ordering, waiting for, or just receiving their new kilts (and the ency of those who aren't!). However, having also seen some traditional kilts from 21st Century kilts at the Chicago Celtic festival, there is a world of difference between them and a SW standard, or really any traditionally made kilt from the makers that post here. If you really want to evaluate a kilt for quality and construction, get Barb's book. Some of the things missing on the SW standard are pleats sewn down to the fell, and the material is a bit light weight. If you are going with a SW, I would probably urge you to spend the small additional $ and get one of their heavy weights. I have one in the shadow tartan, and it is a much better kilt and a heavier weight fabric, and the pleats are sewn done on the fell. The feeling of wearing that vs the standard is noticable! Can't wait to get my USAK semi-trad to compare with the others I have.

And Auld is correct, that I am right at 6' 3". With the SW's being 24" long, they are almost exactly the correct length for me. When I have measured, based on the sizing instruction on most kilt makers sites, I get 24.5" for the length of the kilt when using the kneeling method. It allows me to wear the kilt up higher for a more traditional look, or down a little lower if I like and still be at or above the top of the knee. I can imagine that Auld and others who are shorter would really have to wear it high to achieve the same, unless they have really long torsos! However, I did not notice that Auld's kilt appeared to be too high at the Celtic festival, so it may not be that big a concern.

Ok, starting to ramble here, better leave. , but one last comment, for the price of the SW heavy weight, you can get a USAK or PK and have it custom made to your size, you just have to have the patience to wait for it, which was one of the reasons I originally bought the SW's and the AK, quick delivery. Now that I have a small selection of kilts, I will probably purchase mostly from a custom kilt maker from now on, unless I want a knock around kilt, or there is a special tartan, or other special feature of a particular kilt I want to try.

[GMan]

Ethren,

I have both the Stillwater Standard and the USAKilt Casual. They both have their advantages. The Stillwater looks like a traditional with the buckles and such. A very fine kilt indeed made out of Acryllic. Drawback only comes in the length of 24", no problem for me, but it can be altered. It also has just the waist measurement (from the navel) and not the hips, again not a problem for me and for the price very nice. And it is rather warm and now that those cold days are coming in Colorado, it may be a good choice.

USA Kilt is also one fine kilt made from the three measurement (waist, hips and length). A more form fitting kilt, and well worth the price. I know that some guys think that the PV material is light, but I do not find that to be the case (at least for me), as I am plenty warm in it.

Bearkilts.com has a kilt comparison section on many kiltmakers, so you might want to check that out also.

Good luck in your search, and let us know what you find out.

[Ethren]

Heh, thanks a lot everyone! Your help is really appreciated. I am a little intriuged by SWK, but the fact that all of them come in 24" length is a little problem for me, as I'm not very tall (5'9") so I think that is a little long, no? I'm a little torn, as I prefer wearing them aroung the hips than around the waist, so USAK sounds pretty good to me, but I'm not really sure about the fabric. Anyways, thanks for your input (and any more is certainly warranted) I will update you all on what I find ; ).

[arrogcow]

Don't guess by how tall you are, actually measure. I'm 5'9" and my still water fits fine.

Adam