Velcro??

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Velcro is your friend, just forget that because it it inexpensive it gets used on items you might not want to buy. Not to dissuade you from a SWK, I have 3, but if it is the velcro that is botherin you, forget about it. Velcro provides a fast, easy, adjustable, and affordable way to fasten a kilt. And it is infinitely variable to boot. Dropped a pound or so, tighten it up a little, put some weight on (the holidays are coming), fasten it a little looser. Focus more on the construction, both provide top notch kilts, and not so much on the closure system. One of my favorite kilts has no fastener system at all, just strap the belt on top, and it works fine. Which is actually more likely what a Highlander did anyway.

[Kilted Taper]

The USAK is going to be a custom made garment, where as SWK is a mass produced garment. Even in the casual line, the difference is AMAZING. I've got 2 USAK Casuals, 1 Semi-Trad, and 1 Premier. The velcro is heavy duty stuff and will stay put regardless of what you are doing. I've worn one running, laying around, you name it. If you want a more traditional look with buckles, jump up to the Semi-Trad.

The 24" Length on the SWK's was a deal breaker for me. Those that Rocky has made for me have all been 25". I've tried two SWK's and sold one, no takers on the second.

*NOTE
I am not talking down on SWK's, for me they just aren't an option and don't fit what I'm looking for in MY kilt wearing.

Cheers


EDIT:
I did just see this on SWK's site:

We offer made-to-measure wool kilts (hand-tailored in Scotland, at prevailing prices) to our customers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Due to the significant expense involved, we generally require measurements to be taken in person for custom-tailored kilts. We can order nearly any tartan. We will soon have additional details on this page.

[auld argonian]

Actually, the velcro on the USAK Casuals is fine. Just wear a belt...and the belt loops are sized for a "normal" sized belt instead of a wide kilt belt...and a sporran and the whole thing holds together nicely.

Best

AA

[nixphotography]

Captain If you want to know about USAK casuals and if they do alright on large guys, check out this thread http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22166
These pictures will show you a big guy I just got a USAK casual in on Monday and I have had zero problems with the velcro. Now not that I am the last word in kilts because I am not, but I believe it works perfectly an I plan on purchasing many more from Rocky. Good luck with you choice.

Brett

[O'Neille]

Both are great kilts in their own regard. The custom fit of a USA is great and the velcro is a lot more forgiving than 2" of travel on a leather strap. The weight of the USA poly viscose is less than the SWK and a lot less than a SWK heavy weight wool. It is winter now and a SWK heavy may just do the trick for the winter and give you time for the USA in the spring. O'Neille

[Freelander Sporrano]

I have a Bear kilt (Also a pv)which I use in the hills around my home quite a lot. As long as you close the velcro before you machine wash your kilt you'll have no problems .

With a kilt belt on no one will notice how it's fastened. It's all in the mind
Rocky wouldn't use it if he wasn't confidant with the quality of it

[RockyR]

Thanks for all the positive words, guys!

The reason(s) we use velcro on our casuals is b/c it's got MUCH more flexability and is much easier for the first time kilt wearer. I've had that same question before : "Will it stay on?". I have no idea what type of intense grappling maneuvers people plan on DOING in a kilt (joking), but I can say with 99% certainty that it'll stay put, unless someone is INTENT on ripping it off of you. If you wear a belt with it, it'll DEFINITELY stay put... (there's a reason we put the belt loops by the outer edges of the front apron)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us (or all the other guys up here)!

[Riverkilt]

I'm with Kilted Taper, I'm outside the top of the bell curve and SWK's set length doesn't fit me. Rocky and Kelly cut my casual kilt length at 21 1/2"

Don't own a SWK because of that....not sure I would. I fear acrylic more than velcro.

The polyviscose fabric in the USA Casual doesn't pill, has the teflon coating for sloppy eaters like me, and can be washed in the machine (gentle cycle of course) and hung dry. And, its difficult to wrinkle, and when I do just steam it out with the Gizmo.

Sound like a sales pitch? Just my experience owning ten USA Casuals. I went a year listening to the praise for USA Kilts casuals before I finally bought one to see what all the fuss was about...then I laid out my hard earned money for a bunch of them.

Check my gallery back on page 3 or so for pics if that helps you.

Ron

[Colin]

I don't have a USA kilt, but I have a few from one of their competitors. While the kilt is custom made (unlike the stillwater), I do find that the velcro closures do not work as well as the ol' strap and buckle. The velcro closure does seem to stretch a bit throught the day, especially when sitting, and because the casual kilts usually sit on the hips, this slight pull (or stretch) paired with a belly pushing down the kilt a bit, seems to help the kilt slide down throughout the day. I have tried to remedy this with a belt, but the same thing happens. I just find I am pulling up my kilt alot during the day. This is why a traditional kilt sits higher up on the waist not the hips.

If you can deal with a little inconvienence like that, than the casuall suit you just fine, though the semi-traditional will have the best of both worlds....the look and fastening of a traditional kilt with the lightweight material and great workmanship that USA kilts is becoming well known for. The PV kilts certainly don't come off looking cheap.

Alternatively, for the price, try out a USA kilts causal and a Stillwater standard and see which company has the features you prefer. Both are well reputed for excellenct customer service.

The polyviscose fabric in the USA Casual doesn't pill

I'm going to have to disagree with you there a bit Ron. I have owned my 2 current PV kilts (one in the Marton Mills PV, one from another source) for coming on 3.5 years now. PV does pill, but it is easily taken care of by one of those lint remover thingamabobs. It's not as noticeable as with some fabrics, it simply makes the material appear abit more worn. I have only had to run the lint shaver over my kilts once or twice in the time I have owned them. It makes 'em look brand new.

[RockyR]

I've thrown my PV kilts (semi trad and Casual) in the wash several hundred times and they haven't pilled yet. How old is your PV kilt? What tartan is it? If it's the Maple Leaf (or any "canadian tartan"), it's not made by the same company that does the "Low Pill™ fibre technology" thing that we use. MM is the only mill (to my knowledge) that does the Teflon or "anti pill" thing. There are several other mills that WEAVE PV, but DON'T coat it in Teflon or do the anit pill thingie. If it WAS MM that made the fabric, was it before (since the kilt is 3.5 yrs old) they started doing the Low Pill™ fibre technology thing?

Not sure whose kilt you're referring to about the velcro "stretching" throughout the day, but that's one complaint I can honestly say I've never heard before. Maybe the velcro isn't as "strong" as it should be.