Which kilt- Stillwater Economy or Kiltmart Affordable?

[Starshine]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum, and loving all the great information here.

I could use some advice please. My hubby wants a new kilt for Christmas, and this time he wants a "cheapo" (his words). One that he doesn't care if he spills beer on or the dog jumps up on or he rolls around in the mud in... (preferably alone or at least with me anyway )

So I'm trying to decide between the Kiltmart Affordable kilt or the Stillwater Economy. The price difference between the two is only about $10 so that's no big deal. I've read lots of the reviews here and it seems that both are pretty good considering the price. I realize you get what you pay for, and I'm not expecting anything spectacular from either of them, but does anyone have any experience with both or an overwhelming reason to go with one over the other?

Thanks!!!

[sathor]

My son has an economy from SWK, but he's 4.... I do like it for the most part, no issue so far. I tend to be loyal to brands that I have luck with though, to be fair.

[Ayin McFye]

Stillwater discontinued their "Economy" line of kilts, however that being said they have a "Thrifty" version that is excellent and only $25-30 each. I have both Stillwater Thrify kilts, and KiltMart Economy kilts, and I would HIGHLY encourage you to go with the Stillwater Thrifty. HIGHLY! The quality of product that you will get from Stillwater is much better than Kilt Mart, the customer service is great at Stillwater, and the delivery time is unmatched (Jerry uses wormhole technology to ship to you in unheard of time)

Also with the Thrify kilt it's completely reversable, so if one side gets messed up, you just turn it inside out, and the velcro that is used to hold it together works on both sides. (it's almost like getting two kilts in one).

I HIGHLY encourage you to shop at Stillwater instead of Kilt Mart (Have i said that yet?? )

Good luck and welcome to Xmarks!

[kakkui_1037]

I would say Kiltmart, but it depends on what tartan does he want. I have emailed Stillwater before and got a really rude response.

I asked where the kilts were made and his response was very generic, something about overseas contractors. So he didn't really answer my question. I guessed that they were made overseas, but where exactly?

The forum on here doesn't say much about Kiltmart, so alot of the things people say about it are mostly hearsay.

For me, the deciding factor is always whether the salesperson can answer a question without sounding rude.

[Spartan]

What is the return policy of each place? You could order one from each place (they're off the rack kilts), keep the one that you like best, and return the other.

I've gotten a couple of things from Kiltmart, but their store is right down the street from where I work, and I can go in and see before I buy. I haven't gotten a kilt there.

[sathor]

I would say Kiltmart, but it depends on what tartan does he want. I have emailed Stillwater before and got a really rude response.

I asked where the kilts were made and his response was very generic, something about overseas contractors. So he didn't really answer my question. I guessed that they were made overseas, but where exactly?

The forum on here doesn't say much about Kiltmart, so alot of the things people say about it are mostly hearsay.

For me, the deciding factor is always whether the salesperson can answer a question without sounding rude.

I can't vouch for the emails, but I know the ones I have gotten were made in Pakistan.

Playing Devil's advocate, but perhaps the person reading it thought you were asking identity and not nation or origin, and keeping your vendors list secret is a handy thing. If my customers knew what it cost me for photo prints, even the meager markup I have would seem astronomical, and I sometimes am beating Walmart's photo lab for print prices.

[fluter]

I can't vouch for the emails, but I know the ones I have gotten were made in Pakistan.

Playing Devil's advocate, but perhaps the person reading it thought you were asking identity and not nation or origin, and keeping your vendors list secret is a handy thing...

I'll agree. From Stillwater, we have come to expect swift, professional, and accurate replies to our questions. The only way I can envision a tone that would make you think "rude" is if Jerry thought you actually were fishing for his proprietary information.

Plus the service is second to none. The Web site lists only what they have in stock, so US customers can expect to get the order within days.

I have bought at least one of each model Stillwater, including the economy. All are good value for money. All are clearly labelled with the country of origin.

The acrylic models are attractive, pretty nice fabric. The wool kilts are just fine: I love them this time of year. There are other, more expensive fabrics that I like better, and there are made-to-measure, more expensive kilts that fit me better; but I have been satisfied with every transaction from Stillwater. BTW no one paid me to say this, it sounds like I'm laying it on a little thick; but that is the way Stillwater's repeat customers tend to sound.

[Tommie]

In my opinion,I would save a few more bucks and get at least a Standard From Stillwater.
I bought a Thrifty once,and I have three Standards,and there is no comparison between the two.
To look at how a standard is made you would think it would cost a lot more than about 80 bucks.
Not putting down the Thrifty,because im sure Jerry sells a lot of them,but the one I have-Ive had it on one time.

[kakkui_1037]

The only way I can envision a tone that would make you think "rude" is if Jerry thought you actually were fishing for his proprietary information.

If I was asking that, I would have said something like, "What company makes your kilts?" But I said, "Where are these kilts made?" I know I wasn't expecting them to be made in Scotland at those prices, but they could have either been made-to-order or Made in China, etc. At least now I know that they are made in Pakistan.

[Phogfan86]

You could order the SWK on December 17 or 18 and still have it in plenty of time. I also like their products. I'd go with Jerry.