Why I Love Polyviscose Kilts

[Riverkilt]

Great ideas with the pillow case and the towel...but hey...I live in the WILD WEST...Real cowboys and Indians out here...grizzled types. While I have the cajones to push the envelope with kilts I don't know that I wanna be seen wrapping my bottom in a pillow case or towel before sitting in the car....

I don't have a wrinkle/crease problem for short local trips. Just the long haul...maybe...just maybe...in a distant city where I'd just be curious bar conversation after I left...

Ron

[longhuntr74]

Not to hijack the thread, but it seems that many here probably can answer this...and it's mostly on topic as we're talking about the merits of synthetic kilts. I see many people raving about the USA Kilts PV kilts. There are also many fans of SWKs standard Acrylic Kilts, I've noticed. A third option that I'm aware of is the synthetic "Sportkilt" which I think is also PV, but not 100% sure. So here's my question: What are peoples thoughts regarding the difference between the Sportkilt and USAK versions (are they the same quality and fabric)? How does PV differ from the Acrylic used by SWK as far as durability, care, appearance, swoosh, etc?

[Riverkilt]

It AIN'T about the material - its about the workmanship/craftsmanship LACK OF MANY PLEATS with SportKilt and SWK. A search will find you some old head-to-head comparisons with SportKilt and USA Kilts. I've never owned a SWK so can't comment much on them other than to know from reading many posts they are much more basic that USA Kilts in all areas.

Best way to make your decision is to buy one of each and make your own decision.

Be warned there is the pleated SportKilt and the basic SportKilt pleated to the "gather" like a skirt. Or used to be.

Without a question USA Kilts are FAR superior in all respects.

Ron

[mudd]

...
Without a question USA Kilts are FAR superior in all respects.

Ron

Absolutely!

From someone who owns all three:

The SK is a nice Kilt to bum around in and maybe do sports, but it's way over priced for the quality and compared to the other two.

The SW Kilts are very nice and can pass for the real thing, but come in a limited choice of Tartans and are basically off-the-shelf with regard to sizing. I like mine a lot, but each persons build is different and you take a chance on the fit.

The USA Kilts (both casual and semi-traditional) are by far the best value in this comparison. They are professionally tailored to fit and come in most popular Tartans limited only by what they can get in PV. Not to mention their Premier Kilt, which is in another category all together.

[GDub]

It AIN'T about the material - its about the workmanship/craftsmanship... Without a question USA Kilts are FAR superior in all respects.

Not to dis SK or SWK in any way--I own a couple of both and like them a lot, but for different reasons. SKs are very lightweight and very comfortable for general hanging out (no pun intended ). They are called "Sport" kilts for a reason. SWKs (standards) are more "traditional" and are very reasonably priced. I find the acrylic to be quite comfortable, but it's definitely a lighter material and not as durable as PV. For example, the acrylic material tends to pill up in the sporran area after several wears. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but might be annoying for some. That said, I have 2 SWK standards and like them a lot too...

But, I totally agree with Ron, USAK PV kilts are FAR superior. The PV material is very durable and easy to care for, has some nice weight to it and because of that they hang really nicely and have a great swish. You get to custom order to your exact size, and what you receive is an extremely well made garment. IMHO, the USAK PV kilts are the real deal in a non-wool kilt.

[dfmacliam]

I agree with that too..... Sportkilt is made for the athletic games, light weight a basic style to pass as a kilt while competing.... It was made for that purpose.. SWK are closer to resembling a real kilt, but again with acrylic material or wool depending on the style you select.. They are Pakistani made, and Jerry is upfront about it... He offers quality service and for the beginner... These are good entry level kilts or good beater kilts... USAKilts as stated before is your custom fit kilt..measured to both you waist and hips as well as length..(both SK and SWK are waist, both have a standard legnth, but SK can be changed for a price,SWK is a stock 24 inches).
I have had all three, and I prefer the USAKilts casual, I really did not care for the SK, and I liked the SWK, but am opting for the box pleat in a mid rise because it suits me better, so I sold my SK and SWK and I am having a Saffron 4 yd box pleat made with the money I made from the sales. (Keltoi Gaelic Clothing)

In my short time on this site, I have learned a lot about kilting...and the choices I have made, come from the experiences I has with these products, and good solid wisdom shared by the forum... My opinions are solely mine, and the direction you choose should be from your needs and desires...

[Bog Trotter]

Ok, ok, I'm sold. How can I get one without breaking the bank?

[Riverkilt]

Save your loose change every day for six months - you'll be able to afford a USA Kilts Casual - but I reccomend the Semi-trad....

Pick up empty aluminum cans alongside the highway and cash them in.

Sell some things you already have but don't need/use anymore.

Get a second job - a "Kilt job."

Figure the money you'll save on not wearing pantz and invest it in a good kilt.

Ron

[Kid Cossack]

A slightly different view, here. (What, you were expecting me to go with the flow? For shame.)

For someone looking to try out the kilting life, I'd say go with a Stillwater. Jerry's a good guy, his customer service (particularly delivery times) is legendary, and the Thrifty and Economy kilts are just flat out hard to beat. Let's face it, guys, there are some guys out there who "won't get it." Whether due to their own nature, or due to their circumstances, going kilted won't work out for them. Jerry at SWK gives a good, cheap way to get your feet wet.

Regarding the SKs . . . oh my goodness, here I'm about to commit a heresy. I probably get more use out of my three SKs than I do from my other kilts combined. My three are a Hawaiian red lava print, a Hawaiian green floral print, and a Leatherneck tartan. The Leatherneck came with sewn-down pleats (i.e., the fell is sewn down). My wife sewed down the fell on the red lava print. They are lightweight and handy. While the thermometer does not top out quite so high here in Houston as it does in "Ron's neck of the woods," we are blessed/cursed with quite high humidity.

When I go out, I will occasionally wear the Leatherneck SK. In all honesty, it doesn't look bad. More frequently, I'll wear a 'more proper' kilt---Pittsburgh Kilts (RIP) desert digital, USAK Leatherneck (13 ounce, five yard), Matt Newsome 4 yard box pleat tweed. Funny thing is, though, when I get home, I switch over to that SportKilt Leatherneck. It's a beater, it's a thrasher, it's the one you can lounge in all day long and never worry about abusing the pleats.

Now, not to devalue Brother Ron's comments, but my preference in a USAK is actually for the Casual model, vice the semi-trad. Although any of them are light weight garments (with great hang, swish and swoon, I hasten to point out), I personally find the casual model to be better balanced. Compared to the semi-trad's eight yards (which, with a yard of overapron and a yard of underapron, leaves six yards on your rear), I prefer the five yards of cloth the casual packs.

Horses for courses, of course, and personal preference plays a role, and I'm never one to think that just because I like something means that everyone ought to, but that's where I come down.

The tragedy at present is that I'm without a USAK casual. I shrank down out of my original version, and since I'm still shrinking somewhat I don't want to order another.

While I didn't talk too much about the USAK casual in the foregoing, let me now correct that and say, "It's the bomb-diggity." Bear in mind that as a rule I prefer short yardage kilts, and that I live in Houston, TX, where heat and humidity numbers frequently run hand in hand in the 90s.

As mentioned above, one definite and distinct difference between SK and SWK on the one hand, and USAK on the other, is that the USAK is made to measure. It's made to fit you. In a world of "off the rack" everything, that's got to be a bonus.

When my weight stabilizes, I'll get me a couple of USAK casuals and consider myself set brother set.

[billmcc]

Ok, ok, I'm sold. How can I get one without breaking the bank?

USA Kilts' Casual Kilt sells for around $120, depending on your measurements.
See here: http://www.usakilts.com/store/cas_kiltpage.php