Expert Advice Needed

[DamnthePants]

Alright, here is the situation. I need a purple colored kilt. It is for my sisters wedding, and not only does it match with her chosen theme, but some of the ones I have seen just look too good not to have. I am in a bit of a situation though. Ideally I would like an 8 yard 16oz kilt. The material itself is not too much of a problem, woven acrylic is better because of the price, but I’m not tied to that. I have narrowed my search down to three places

Frugal Corner
Scotsweb
USAKilts

They all have some things going for them, and some things that don’t work so well for me. Perhaps you call can help me decide.

Frugal Corner: 16oz 8y Masonic Tartan
Pro: Sells Masonic Tartan Pattern, which so far is my favorite
Pro: Cost is the best out of all three
Pro: Wedding is in 2 months and I would have it by then
Pro: Could spend savings on other needed items ( jacket and shirt and shoes)
Cons: I can’t get a hold of them! They no longer take online purchases, so I have been calling but I never get an answer. My day to day life prohibits me from leaving a message because they cant get back to me.

Scotsweb 16oz 8y (Various Purple Tartans)
Pro: Easy to order
Pro: Would get here by 2 months
Con: Tartans not that desirable compared to other two places
Con: 2x more expensive

USAKilts
Pro: Would love to support a strong Forum member
Pro: More attention paid to kilt then other two
Pro: Second favorite Purple Tartan
Con: Most expensive of the three*(If I were to get 8yard that is)
Con: 5 yards and not 8 yards (unless I went for a premium 8yard)
Con: would more then likely get here juuust in time unless I rushed it.

Right now the only thing stopping me from getting a USA Kilt is my trepidation on getting a 5 yard. I just fear that it might be too little, or not feel as good as 8 yards. Maybe someone can allay or confirm these suspicions.

[Jock Scot]

You need to match the colour of the kilt to the wedding colours theme? Good lord, I have never heard of such a thing!

[DamnthePants]

Let's just say that if I showed up in bright yellow and green.... there might be problems Such are brides.

[Jock Scot]

Wear your tartan man! No one, not even the bride, can dictate the tartan you wear! To the devil with all that matching up carry-on! Good heavens, where will it all end? Oh by the way, good luck with the wedding! LOL

[CDNSushi]

I don't see what's wrong with trying to match the bride's chosen colour theme... But to me, the more relevant question would me: will I wear the kilt elsewhere after the wedding? DO I REALLY WANT a purple tartan kilt? If the answer is "no" then Jock has a point - wear what you already own.

Aside from that, I would also point out that Nick from Scotsweb is also an XMTS member, but he doesn't have as active a presence as Rocky does... Plus, since they also sponsor XMTS, you'd get a bit of a discount.

From your list of pros & cons, I would probably go with Scotsweb. Why? the "easy" factor as you put it... Plus it's not the most expensive option. If it's for a wedding I'd take 0 chances with the kilt not being done on time, let alone a company that I can't get a hold of. Yikes! That's just MY (non-expert) opinion based on the info you've posted.

[ForresterModern]

I will not weigh in on the overall decision as for once I think I might agree with my dear distant friend Jock on this one.

But one additional consideration when using Scotweb is that if you designate a specific date by which you desire delivery of a custom kilt to an American address, be prepared to pay an additional $50-70 in probable customs duties as they will likely send it via FEDEX to insure its prompt delivery and have a verifiable and insured tracking method. FEDEX will take duties, plus add their own additional fees for handling the transaction, and you may recieve a promptly delivered kilt with a delayed delivered duty fee bill.

I just recently recieved a clearence 8yd 13oz kilt ( close enough in size measurements and in a budget end but sufficient quality tartan that I could not pass by the savings) that only cost me a little over $200US, but the delivery was held up by a backordered additonally small trifle item for three months. Presumably because of the delayed shipping, despite my having specifically requested the free but much slower Royal Mails delivery (much more likely to avoid customs, if possible) Scotweb decided to expedite my delivery by sending it FEDEX, and two weeks after the kilt arrived I recieved a FEDEX bill for an additional $60US in customs duties due. So much for saving money by buying the clearence priced kilt---in the end it has cost me more than if I had ordered it customed to my exact measurements and in my preferred tartan and had it slow boat shipped from either Scotweb or another scottish kilt vendor I have used in previous acquisitions. In this case I should have passed by the "apparent" savings and done without the kilt. And to make matters worse, the "trifle" item that held up everything and set off the chain of events that led to the eventual FEDEX shipping and customs duties assessment was not at all as described, of poor quality and value, and will very likely be returned for a refund anyway. What a waste.

Just one man's experience and opinion with Scotweb. And likely my last.

Good luck with your choices and the wedding.

Jeff

[seanachie]

Cons: I can’t get a hold of them! They no longer take online purchases, so I have been calling but I never get an answer. My day to day life prohibits me from leaving a message because they cant get back to me.

.

I am rather surprised you can't get ahold of Mark. He is an active, albeit new, member of one of the other kilt boards and I have actually exchanged a couple of emails with him over the last 24 hours.

[denmcdough]

I, too, see nothing wrong with trying to match your kilt to the overall color scheme of the wedding. Go for it.

May I suggest looking at Marchbrae in Scotland. Depending on your size, they have a wonderful Isle of Skye kilt, wool, 13 oz., 6 yds., stock, and you can have it within a week. I know, I just bought one. It was a 38" but they reduced it to a 36" Oh, and the price, including shipping was $235. Wonderful price for such a beautiful tartan.

Another option...check Ebay and look for Heritage of Scotland. There are plenty in PV's available and great deals..under $100.00.

I have a picture posted with me in the IoS kilt...look for Marchbrae IoS kilt.

Good luck, and enjoy the weeding!

[Heming]

My only comment would be to stay away from the masonic tartan unless you're a mason yourself.

I know the tartan isn't officially restricted, but I believe in letting people keep their specialities for themselves (which is why I also wouldn't wear a clan tartan not my own).

I have very good personal experience with Scotweb, but have never purchased an actual kilt from them. But they do give you value for money and they keep to their delivery estimates (unless there's a war or a postal strike).

I own a 10yd kilt and a 6yd kilt - the difference is not very noticeable neither to me or those looking at me wearing a kilt. And yardage does not affect the size of the kilt, only the number and depth of pleats. A properly made 5yd kilt will be a good kilt.

[Tartan Hiker]

While I totally agree with Jock, you could use this as an excuse to get a new Isle of Skye kilt! That's exactly what I'd do!