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

[turpin]

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.

AA

Yup, that's me. Kiltstore 13oz. 8-yard beauty, with a SWK HW saffron for backup. Next up, probably a USAK semi-trad. Order in January for a March-ish delivery, ready for the Games at Culloden (Georgia, guys, no not the other one)

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Well, I realize that I am bucking the trend a bit, but I think you also need to take into account when and where you will be wearing the kilt. A wool one is great in more northern climes, similar to Scotland itself, but for those of us who rarely see 50 degrees for a low, PV can be great. Since moving back to FL, I have worn my USAK PV's, my UK's, and also my SWK heavyweight. While all have been comfortable, the USAK's are a hands down winner. They just feel more comfortable in the heat. I am not sure that they are actually any warmer, but the comfort and weight of the fabric make it feel that way,

[Raphael]

Since you are a college student and want to spend as little as possible, You should buy something that you can afford.

Poly Viscoe is a pretty good material. It feels like wool and is machine washable. It is very easy to take care of. It is perfect for most of the outtings. I have one for 2 years and it still looks pretty good.

[Andrewson]

Just in case you're not yet convinced, let me add my 2 cents.

I started with 16/17 oz wool kilts trad 8yd i.e. tanks but I have recently discovered the joys of PV, especially in the warm summer weather. PV really is an excellent material for a kilt, very comfortable and very easy to wash and look after.

I think if you stretch your budget to get the best possible PV - good quality make with more than the bare minimum yardage - then it will make a more reasonable substitute for the real thing than a cheaper version and you are therefore likely to be able to use it for a great range of things, formal as well as casual. That kind of compromise might work. I know that when I only had one very good (wool) kilt I rarely wore it casually and so missed out on some opportunities.

I suspect that the whole issue will come down to money so buy the best that you can afford!

[Kilted Stuart]

There are a lot of good points being made here.

Price.

Climate you spend most of your time kilted in.

What you are going to do in it. Buy PV if you are not going to use it for just formal events. PV is machine or hand washable. Great for every day use if you are going to need to clean it often enough.

5 yd or 8 yrd. Do you need a full 8 yard for what your doing in it. 5 yrd kilts are cheaper for knocking about in.

Lots to think about to get the kilt you need. We will never fulfill the want's.

Kilted Stuart

[turpin]

One minor point of PV to consider is that most of the tartans available don't come with a selvedged edge, so they are either hemmed or fringed. Not a big point, and others who have PV kilts can comment on the relative merits. The Ireland's National Tartan in PV does come with a selvedge, I believe.

[Tattoo Bradley]

One minor point of PV to consider is that most of the tartans available don't come with a selvedged edge, so they are either hemmed or fringed. Not a big point, and others who have PV kilts can comment on the relative merits. The Ireland's National Tartan in PV does come with a selvedge, I believe.

This is true for USAK (or rather Marton Mills ultimately) anyway. But, I'm not really familiar with other PV kilters or weavers for that matter.

[auld argonian]

This is true for USAK (or rather Marton Mills ultimately) anyway. But, I'm not really familiar with other PV kilters or weavers for that matter.

Atr there other PV mills? I mean that do established tartans and not "trade" tartans or school uniform tartans. I know that some of that school uniform material wears like iron...no...stainless steel.

Best

AA

[Colin]

This is true for USAK (or rather Marton Mills ultimately) anyway. But, I'm not really familiar with other PV kilters or weavers for that matter.

to may knowledge Marton Mills is the only place that does established tartans in PV. There is a bit of a misconception that companies like Sportkilt or Stillwater are PV. Stillwater is actually arcylic and wool and Sportkilt is another material (help me out here Rocky) , but are not PV.

Poly Viscoe is a pretty good material. It feels like wool and is machine washable. It is very easy to take care of. It is perfect for most of the outtings. I have one for 2 years and it still looks pretty good.

I would disagree that PV feels like wool. PV is actually way lighter and softer than wool. True PV does look like wool from a distance, and an 8 yard PV kilt is quite toasty warm when it needs to be, but it is a different beast all together from wool. Yes it is very easy to take care of though. I love my PV kilts and wear them often. I have a PV kilt on order from my son from MacHummel right now. I will wear the PV kilts I already have as they kick **** in the summer heat and are great for going to football matches (soccer), trips to the pub, or long hikes, but I am a wool convert, and I am not going back. That's just me though

I do think that the original question of this (and the fact that it is listed in traditional kilts) was that the poster was looking for a traditional or a kilt in the traditional style in the least. I think that if a traditional kilt is what is being looked for, there are a number of great sources including members of this forum like M.A.C Newsome, kiltstore.net, USA Kilts (premium line), Barb, westcoastor fims like Alexis Malcom, scottishkilts.net, tartanweb.com, etc where a traditional kilt (5 yarders at least) can be found for a fair price. Let's not rule out links to traditional kilts in favour of traditional style kilts too quickly.

Other companies like Stillwater, USA Kilts (semi-traditional), Canadian Casual Kilts, etc make a traditional style kilt that will look great but be a bit more cost effective depending on the wear and tear placed on the kilt.

[Tartan Hiker]

to may knowledge Marton Mills is the only place that does established tartans in PV.

Not to hijack the thread, but is there any retail source for modest quantities (enough for one or two kilts ) of PV from Marton Mills? The web site is obviously for corporate customers only.