Help! I don't know what I'm doing!

[Frank MacDuffy]

Need some help guys, I'm thinking of geting a traditional style kilt but I'm not sure which company I should go to, what do you think?

On the side, I've also been wondering about one of those Poly-Viscose or whatever it's called kilts, due to the price. I've noticed folks saying that you can tell it's not wool and because of the way it's been said I've been under the impression that they're uncomfortable. I myself only own 2 UK's And being a college student it's all about money, you know? So compared to a UK Original or Mocker fabric would you say the Poly-Viscose is more comfortable or less? I know, I know, they're 2 completely different fabrics, I just don't want to end up with something I won't want to wear.

[Colin]

Poly-viscose is very comfortable, but if you want a true traditional kilt, skip the pV or the acrylic and get worsted wool. Companies like Kiltstore.net, scottishkilts.net, and tartanweb.com all have a good selection and fair prices. I have an 8 yard from Scottishkilts and love it.

If you want a traditional styled kilt, but not a Scottish made wool kilt or the price tag, have a look at the semi-traditionals (those are PV) or the premiers (wool) from USA Kilts, both have had great reviews.

Also check out the standard (acrylic) or heavyweight (wool of some sort) from Stillwater kilts.

You can't get a really good traditional kilt for under $200 brand new. You'll get something close, but not the real deal. A traditional kilt should be made to measure and fit like a glove and feel like a million bucks. Unfortunately like anything, you get what you pay for.

[auld argonian]

One observation from a recent event that I attended...the pipers' kilts, which looked fantastic, were worsted wool and the worsted looks a lot less "wooly" than you would think. I suppose that that's due to the quality and finish of the fabric. PV looks a lot more like the worsted than, say, the acrylic does. The acrylic used in Stillwater's standard kilts just looks "woolier" than PV or worsted...if that makes any sense. The only drawbacks to PV are that it isn't wool (duh!) and that it won't be as warm in cold temperatures as wool.

Seems like there are two approaches to getting kilted. The first is that you aren't quite sure that you want to wear the kilt or aren't sure how it'll look on you...you then buy yourself a "starter" kilt...but then once you get hooked, you want that "tank" and you can't wait to get it. The other approach is that you decide to just cut to the chase and splurge on the "tank" in the first place figuring that it will be only kilt you'll ever need...except that then you realize that you need a backup kilt or a "doing the yardwork" kilt and then you end up getting a less expensive one to serve that purpose. I won't even get into accessories....that can get ridiculous.

However you slice it, you're going to end up with more than one kilt. The various virtues and drawbacks of the various brands have been discussed here on many occaisions...it seems like every particular one has its own niche. Check out some old threads and you'll get a frame of reference on what might be the best course for you to take.

Best

AA

[switchblade5984]

they are very comfortable!
and much less!

[McClef]

A kiltmaker in Scotland claimed that non-wool kilts were dangerous when they caught fire and they deliberately set light to one to try and prove their point.

But we no doubt have many other items of clothing we could do the same to and get similar results.

They were unable to prove that anyone wearing such a kilt had been so affected however.

I suspect they did it out of commercial frustration.

[bikercelt1]

I have both Wool and Poly-V kilts, both materials are great, BUT, if a "real" kilt is what you're after just bite the bullet and get a Wool medium to heavyweight kilt. In the long run it will be less expensive and you'll be happier. I wasted a lot of time and money buying "less expensive alternatives" and they failed to meet my needs. Once I had a good Wool kilt then I began to add good quality kilts in a variety of other materials, but until I had a "real" Wool kilt I had no standard to measure by and some of the kilts I bought early on were so bad I wouldn't even give them away let alone wear them.

If the washability of Poly-V is what you're after then I highly recommend Rocky and Kelly at USA Kilts. A lot of supposedly knowledgeable people have been very surprised to learn that my kilts from USAK were poly-v. I love my USA kilts and I'm ordering two more of them as soon as I can get caught up on some bills.

Jamie

[pdcorlis]

I own acrylic, PV and wool tartan kilts now. Each has been important in my "evolution" as a kilt wearer. My Acrylics got me into wearing kilts - but to be honest, I rarely wear them any more. My PV kilts are from Rocky and Kelly - they are great (especially in hot weather) - and for their cost there is nothing like them for fit, finish, and clean-ability. But my wool kilts are a whole other critter. Great swish, almost wrinkle free, and the colors are rich and deep. My 5 yarders are great year round. I wear them almost daily. My one handsewn, 8 yard, 16 oz (tank) is a work of art and deserves to be held for special occasions.

If money were no object, I'd have nothing but wool - but then again I live a cool to cold part of the country. I don't think I'm a kilt snob but I have to admit - I do love 100% wool kilts.

[Colin]

If money were no object, I'd have nothing but wool - but then again I live a cool to cold part of the country. I don't think I'm a kilt snob but I have to admit - I do love 100% wool kilts.

Pdcorlis, I couldn't agree more. I have had Arcylic kilts, a bunch of PV kilts, but as soon as I had a wool kilt, that was the be all for me. Nothing else quite comes close, even though all my kilts get worn and have merrits of their own. I am not a kilt snob, but I will only buy wool from now on for myself.

[Kilted KT]

here is a very simple solution to your problem.

1. buy a plane ticket to england
2. stop by Hamish's house
3. close eyes
4. enter kilt closet
5. choose kilt that you want
6. beg and plead with hamish to borrow it until you scrape up enough $$$ to buy one like it.
7. repeat as needed

[Kilted Stuart]

I must admit that there is nothing like wool. But if cost is a factor PV falls right in behind it. The weave produced by most mills now in PV gets as close to wool as can be. The colours are slightly bold for modern tartans and faded and blended for ancient. I'm not a fan of acrylic and am not a fan of the Stillwater standard. The price is right but i've seen the kilt and it just isn't my idea of what a kilt should be.
I'll pay a little more and order a PV or 13-16 oz wool from CCK and know i'm getting a custom kilt made as close as a handsewn in the same choice fabric as most other kiltmakers out there use.
We're blessed with having a good choice of kiltmakers right here on x-marks.

Kilted Stuart