Can't sew - have to buy - how to compare?

[Colin]

Although I may buy a less expensive kilt for general knock around purpose I also want a traditional wool, 16oz, 8yd kilt in the Ferguson tartan – “Tank” for special occasions etc. It will be my “once in a lifetime” investment. I would like to have the best I can afford (still considering budget). I don’t want to spend dollars needlessly yet I don’t want to sacrifice proper quality and construction. There appears to be many recommended kiltmakers on the forum and $500.00 seems to be the general consensus as a low end cost for a quality kilt. Since I have no way to compare kilts from different kiltmakers first hand any help will be greatly appreciated.

There are numerous sources to find a good quality traditional kilt. Besides Kiltstore.net (which you have obviously found). also check out www.scottishkilts.net , www.tartanweb.org , and even the premium line at www.usakilts.com

Personally I am glad that I got my “once in a lifetime” investment from Scottishkilts.net in Scotland.

1. For the same weight, yds, and tartan hand stitched I find the costs range from a high end at about $720 + shipping to a more affordable $404 including shipping(with X Marks discount). Can there be a $300+ difference in quality in the final product from reputable stores? What?

I have only found the difference in each tartan a big deal at kiltstore. While other suppliers may charge more for harder to find tartans, Kiltstore seems to base the price on each mill and tartan. This was a big turn off for me when I was ready to order.

2. Is there a noticeable or appreciable difference in fabric from Lochcarron vs House of Edgar? At Scotweb there is about an $80 difference in kilt cost between them. Would the cost be justified?

Every mill can be different. Just like the weigh tof the tartan can affect the size of the sett, the mill can make for a variation in tartan. When I ordered the Ancient Watson from Scottishkilts, I had the option of Lochcarron or Marton mills. I was able to see a sample book for each, and the Lochcarron weave was a smaller sett so I went with the Marton mills.

3. On a 36” waist with a tartan sett of about 13 cm (5 in) would a pleat reveal of 2 cm (3/4 in) with a depth of 10 cm (4 in) be reasonable to expect for an 8 yd kilt? (24+ pleats?) Would more be better? How many? Deeper pleat? How much?

You should ask the company making you kilt this, as they will have the best answer.

4. Does anyone have experience with comparing the Scotweb store kilts? “Balmoral traditional” vs luxury by Manley Richardson. Considering they would be using the same tartan from the same mills there is about a $140 difference.

I can't comment, but will say all the reviews I have seen on this forum of the Balmoral have been great.

5. Cost has me leaning toward Scotweb especially in light of the discount and the free shipping. But how does the quality compare to the more expensive kiltmakers?

some better deals do exist out there even with the discount.

6. I have read about duty charges from kilts received from outside the US that I would like to avoid. Anyone have experience with these charges on kilts coming from Scotweb? It seems to have to do with the shipping carrier.

Wait the extra time and have your order sent by the free shipping. DO NOT use FedEx as their will charge delivery fee and by acting as the broker, they will charge a brutal rate for customs.

7. Suggestions of questions to ask the kiltmaker?

Anything you would ask here.....ask them as well.

I realize I have a lot of questions but this seems the best place to learn. Thanks for taking time to read this long post. Hope you can help.

Cheers! Bill

We all started exactly where you are (exact Hamish, he may have come out of the womb in a kilt) so ask away. On eday you will be answering the questions others have prior to ordering their first kilt.