Ordering From the Menu

**xman** · 15th March 10, 07:59 PM

I've spent the last few days scouring the internet and this forum and am getting closer to purchasing my first kilt. yay! It's not going to be a "dress" kilt for me. Since that will cost me a few hundred dollars I want to walk around wearing a kilt for a while so that I have a better idea what I need to buy. That's an entrée and will come a little later. For now it's the affordable elegance of an appetiser, something I won't be afraid to wear while horsing around with my son or doing chores about the house and one which will assure me that I have my measurements correct if I choose not to go with a custom tailored tank for dress. There are three on my short list.

The USA Kilts and the Skye Highland Outfitters PV casuals are very close in too many respects for me to discern between them. Can anyone advise me as to some particular details or issues associated with one or the other? I feel like I should probably order one of these two companies for such a kilt. Wash'n'wear is an attractive feature.

The other kilt on my appetiser menu right now is the Stillwater wool traditional. At the same cost as a PV Casual I feel like I must be missing something. I'm sure it's a lighter weight wool, but not too light and machine sewn certainly, but this price seems too low to be true and all I can think of is caveat emptor, but the word around here doesn't seem to be too bad.

So here's how I need your help and I'll put this next bit in bold for all those too lazy to digest my prose:

Which kilt should I get for a daily mucker and why?

**Howard Clark** · 16th March 10, 05:53 PM

Of the three choices you list I would go with the USA kilts PV.

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 16th March 10, 06:20 PM

I haven't seen a casual from either SHO or USAK yet. I would assume they are very similar. I know that Josh being a new-comer to this particular arena will want to offer a product that is comparable or better.

USAK has the clout around here and their praises have been sung by many a member. I would venture a guess that you will get a quality product either way.

The casual kilt of USAK has a line of top-stitching down the outside edge of each pleat and the pleats are supposed to be around 1.5 inches wide or so on the face (from what I've heard) and are probably around 3.5 - 4 inches deep (judging from the size of the tartan.)

USAK's have straight pleats with the taper being taken up by crossing the back pleats over one or two of the side pleats (as evidenced by a photo on USAK's website.) I don't know how SHO casual is tapered but I would prefer each pleat to taper vs the design Rocky uses.

Evidently a recent customer of Josh's was happy with his 8 yarder. Most people here have been just as happy with USAK.

If any of the details matter to you. call the vendors up and see if they can answer you.

I think it's safe to assume that either vendor is a good choice.

The kilt you get from Stillwater will be off the shelf and not fit as nice. But for a low priced heavyweight kilt and a person with generic measurements it is probably a good value. (just don't get an acrylic kilt...)

**ccga3359** · 16th March 10, 07:51 PM

My first kilt was an SWK Black Shadow. i will certainly recommend this kilt and tartan(?). You'd also have it tomorrow (Assuming he's stocks your size). Having said this having a kilt custom tailored to you is well worth the money (asuming you're not suggesting USAK casual off the rack). For a rough and tumble guy PV is macine washable wool is not.

**fluter** · 17th March 10, 09:52 AM

As a wise colleague said:

Originally Posted by lethearen

When in doubt, trust SWMBO

I was going to say that if budget permits, consider a USAK semi-trad or the Skye 8-yard poly-viscose. Those would be made to measure, and will fit you exactly, and will "dress up" very nicely.

The only "catch" to the SWK wool kilts is that they have a "standard" waist/hip ratio and a single length. If your hip measurement is within 6 inches if your waist, it should fit well, and it's a bargain. If not, I strongly recommend something made to your measurements, even if it's the USAK/Skye casual.

The length of the SWK is 24 inches total. It can be hemmed if you need a shorter length. It will have the same, more traditional look of the higher-yardage PV kilts.

**xman** · 17th March 10, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by fluter

Originally Posted by lethearen

When in doubt, trust SWMBO

... consider a USAK semi-trad or the Skye 8-yard poly-viscose. Those would be made to measure, and will fit you exactly, and will "dress up" very nicely.

Very high on her list. My only concern with this is that, although it would fit the colour palate in my wardrobe well, it might be a bit too colourful for dressing down. I like the Skye a lot myself.

[edit] I realise now that you were likely speaking of the retailer which is in consideration, but more specifically I was referring to the Isle of Skye tartan.

I'm also thinking of an Alt.Kilt, but unsure of their kilt weight and how the cotton hangs. For a roughhouser I don't care if it wrinkles, but if it doesn't fall back into place it would be far less comfortable on my modesty. I see lots of gents wearing these kinds of 'fashion' kilts when I do see them wearing them and although I can rarely detect any swing, they seem comfortable enough in them.

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 17th March 10, 10:19 AM

A cotton kilt won't have the swish factor unfortunately.

PV is second only to wool. I have worked with both. If you want something warm go for a Stillwater. If you live somewhere warm PV will be just as good or better.

**xman** · 17th March 10, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Hothir Ethelnor

A cotton kilt won't have the swish factor unfortunately.

It's not that I care about 'swish' in a contemporary fashion kilt much, but 'fall' is important.

**bricelythgoe** · 17th March 10, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Hothir Ethelnor

Evidently a recent customer of Josh's was happy with his 8 yarder. Most people here have been just as happy with USAK.

That would be me!

Here is my review with pictures.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...yard-pv-57820/

However, I do not have a casual, yet. I plan on getting one since I was so happy with the 8 yarder. I would highly recommend them!

Brice

**ghostlight** · 17th March 10, 11:20 AM

I own two SWK heavyweights (one Black Watch and one Black Stewart). They are both solid off-the-rack kilts. They are comfortable and I enjoy wearing them. I have no complaints about either of them and would recommend them. SWKs shipping times are also something of a legend here. If you order one today and it's in stock, it will have arrived yesterday.

Only one note of caution: I fall into the particular body type SWKs are designed to fit as fluter mentioned earlier in the thread. If you don't fall into that category, your mileage may vary.