My latest kilt and I have some questions

[Catdad]

I received my new kilt which I won on ebay in today's mail. It was advertised as being a vintage Lochcarron wool kilt in Maple Leaf tartan. I have confirmed that the label showing Maple Leaf tartan is correct by checking out Lochcarron's web site. The seller did not know the weight, but after weighing it, I feel comfortable saying it is a 10 ounce weight. So far so good. Now the questions/concerns.

1. It fastened with two straps on the left on a button (choice of three) on the right. Would Lochcarron have made a kilt like this in the past or someone else using Lochcarron tartans?

2. When buckled and buttoned the fringe is on the left hand side and so is the kilt pin. Is this normal because I thought both were always on the right

[McMurdo]

Generally speaking a man's kilt opens on the right side, and it would use straps and buckles, not a button, also the weight of the tartan concerns me as 10oz wool seems a little light, normally they would have used 13 or 16 oz wool. I think you may have a kilted skirt(Woman's) I could be wrong but that is what it sounds like.

[The Wizard of BC]

You have a ladies pleated skirt.

Sorry.

[Catdad]

Thanks guys. I have sent a message to the ebay seller and asked for refund because the item was not as they advertised.

[Spartan]

Thanks guys. I have sent a message to the ebay seller and asked for refund because the item was not as they advertised.

That's a disappointment! Hope that you don't have trouble getting a refund.

[McMurdo]

Best of luck with it, perhaps you could post the photos here then I'm sure someone like Matt could tell you exactly what you might have.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

From your description I feel pretty confidant you have a skirt.

I haven't shopped for kilts on Ebay in quite a few years, but I remember when I used to check their listings for "kilts" on a regular basis I would typically find 10 or more lady's skirts listed for every one man's kilt. That was back before Ebay was flooded with cheap acryli-kilts. :-)

[Dixiecat]

While it sounds like Catdad got a ladies kilted skirt, basing your opinions only on the left closing could be premature. You're all probably right, but I would also check the following to confirm whether or not it really is a kilted skirt:

-the presence of darts in any place on the kilt
-pleats not pleated to sett or to stripe
-pleats are shallow
-fewer pleats than you would expect for the size of the kilt (less than say 25)
-sizes are listed instead of waist mmts on the label
-length is longer than 24" (as a general rule)

When I was looking for a kilt, I would never consider placing a bid on a 'kilt' that didn't have pictures of the back. Pleats not pleated to sett or stripe are usually the dead giveaway it's not a kilt. You really can't count on which side the closures are on as sometimes pictures are reversed.

[Mipi]

Dixiecat,

what you say is true. I intentionally grabbed a women kilt on Ebay for material only. It was really cheap (less then $10 with shipping) and your description fits perfectly to it. Hopefully I'll end up with light box pleated summer kilt... some day....soon...

[wvpiper]

While it sounds like Catdad got a ladies kilted skirt, basing your opinions only on the left closing could be premature. You're all probably right, but I would also check the following to confirm whether or not it really is a kilted skirt:

-the presence of darts in any place on the kilt
-pleats not pleated to sett or to stripe
-pleats are shallow
-fewer pleats than you would expect for the size of the kilt (less than say 25)
-sizes are listed instead of waist mmts on the label
-length is longer than 24" (as a general rule)

The pleats may also be the reverse of a man's kilt.