Alphakilt Edinburgh, an overdue review.

[Makeitstop]

I got my Edinburgh about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and I've been taking some time to get used to it and break it in a little before posting a review.

So the first thing I have to say is that this is a very high quality kilt. The material is a tough polycotton and the construction is very sturdy. It was rather stiff to begin with, but regular use and a complete soaking during a torrential downpour has softened it up a bit. The pleats are sewn in inside and out, and even though I haven't bothered to hang it up or even keep in relatively straight, it still only takes a quick tug to get everything nice and crisp. As an added bonus, the delay in getting my kilt meant that it was made with a stain resistant material.

The cargo pockets are spacious and mostly convenient. Because of the way they hang off the body it can be easy to feel like something is missing, as I often can't feel my phone or wallet without actually grabbing the pocket to check. They are also detachable, which I haven't used much, but it is a good feature to have when the situation requires it.

The under apron pocket is functional, but slightly too narrow for my wallet. I have been keeping a pocket sized Bible there for a little added protection for my modesty, as well as for a fun gag. The nice thing is, it really is impossible to tell that I have a pocket down there. The only time it becomes noticeable is when I have to lift the kilt in the bathroom, as the contents of the pocket don't bend.

The kilt is closed with five industrial strength snaps (all hidden when closed) which really get the job done, and another 6 are used on each pocket (4 to hold it on, 2 to close the flap). The pockets can take some effort to open at first, but it gets easier.

The pleated under apron is quite nice, and really does help to ensure that even without a sporran the area between my legs will be well guarded while seated. The over apron does not fall down as easily, but that doesn't make a real difference, and the trade off is that it is very good at staying down in strong winds (35 mph, and no problems).

The pleats are fairly large, which contributes to the more rugged look. They are revere kingussie pleats, and I love them so much more than the asymmetrical knife pleats on my other kilts. It's aesthetically pleasing, and I have had fewer problems with a pleat by the apron popping out in an awkward way.

Having spent a lot of time studying the design of the kilt, it appears they have a fairly ingenious means of efficiently producing a custom kilt. Because the aprons are pleated, with the narrow over apron being attached on top of the pleats, it seems they are able to simply mass produce, large quantities of pleated material, which are then cut to the appropriate size for the order, sealed with a few layers of pleated fabric on the ends, tapered, and finished with a waist band, sewn on over apron, snaps and belt loops, as well as pockets if needed. There is also a seam in the middle of the reverse box pleat in the back, which I only noticed when I thought to look for it, since the knife pleats have to go in both directions and mass production wouldn't allow that.


So overall it's a very comfortable, tough, and attractive kilt. It is without a doubt my favorite, and if it is financially viable in the future I will definitely be getting more.

[Bugbear]

I've been waiting for these reviews. Sounds very interesting. Thank you.

[turpin]

A very thorough review. And where are the pix?

[elrond]

Yes, goofd review., thank you, but... the pics? ;)

[cessna152towser]

Great review but lets see the pics - Please.

[Finn]

Thanks for the review! I've been looking at them for a few weeks now. They seemed close to the Xkilt, but now I can know that they are different.
They're from my home state, so I've been hoping they are good.

[Nick the DSM]

pics, dude, pics!

[Makeitstop]

The pics may or may not come in time. I have no camera, so the only way to get any (aside from just stealing someone else's) would be to borrow a friend, and right now they're all busy.

But I'll see what I can do.

[kfreeouf]

Excellent write-up.
Thank you!
Keith

[Bugbear]

The pics may or may not come in time. I have no camera, so the only way to get any (aside from just stealing someone else's) would be to borrow a friend, and right now they're all busy.

But I'll see what I can do.

Just for the record, I don't care about the pictures because I can't look at them anyway. I also very much understand the frustrations of not being able to post pictures during the demands for pictures faze of a thread. I also understand the frustrations of having to resize pictures and rotate them to the correct direction, and how this can set back the posting time of the pictures.

That being said, I demand pictures. Where are the pictures?