Best non-wool casuals?

[cavscout]

As was said and in the other thread SK's and USAK's are night and day.

A USAK will be more form fitting and give a much more tailored look than the elastic, pleat to the gather SK. That may be a negative in the ring once the bell rings.

Semi-trad's have the buckle and straps where as a SK Standard does not.

You might look at one of the Stillwater kilts which will give the appearance benefits of the tailored kilt with maaaaaany pleats in an acrylic material. Price will be very reasonable as well.

[Cassidy]

As was said and in the other thread SK's and USAK's are night and day.

A USAK will be more form fitting and give a much more tailored look than the elastic, pleat to the gather SK. That may be a negative in the ring once the bell rings.

Semi-trad's have the buckle and straps where as a SK Standard does not.

You might look at one of the Stillwater kilts which will give the appearance benefits of the tailored kilt with maaaaaany pleats in an acrylic material. Price will be very reasonable as well.

Bear in mind I'm pretty new to this. What's the meaning of "pleat to the gather"?

I have noticed that the SK I own doesn't look quite as fitted as some of the other casuals I've seen around here. There's a lot to learn, it seems.

[Bugbear]

Bear in mind I'm pretty new to this. What's the meaning of "pleat to the gather"?

I have noticed that the SK I own doesn't look quite as fitted as some of the other casuals I've seen around here. There's a lot to learn, it seems.

Exactly. On a kilt like a USAK, the kiltmaker goes through several steps to make sure that the pleats are perfectly alined, as well as, each pleat being stitched down for the first third or so of the pleat at the top.

I don't know for sure, but the SK kilts might be just gathered fabric that is tacked down. Huge difference! There's also nothing wrong with baseball bats...

Anyway, that's why it's difficult to compare a SK with a USAK. They aren't ment to be compareable.

[fluter]

Bear in mind I'm pretty new to this. What's the meaning of "pleat to the gather"?

To me, the phrase suggests random or irregular pleating that ignores the sett of the tartan --- I'm not sure whether that's actually what Ron means. My SK's acquired since early 2007 were pleated to stripe. Here's a MacGregor, with sewn-down pleats, pleated to the red block.

I have noticed that the SK I own doesn't look quite as fitted as some of the other casuals I've seen around here. There's a lot to learn, it seems.

When SK sews down the pleats, the shape of the kilt is cylindrical. Then it is gathered at the waist with elastic. It's quite comfortable, but as you say not as fitted. Here is a USA Kilt casual, which was made to my waist and hip measurements:




Here's another SportKilt (US St Andrews). I ordered it without the sewn down pleats, then stitched them by hand to try to get a little taper. The experiment was a qualified success. When I have it to do over again, I'll take off the belt loops first, and consider just rebuilding the waistband without the elastic.



This is what I'd call "pleated to the gather"