The Future of Traditional Kiltmaker's

**Scotus** · 1st July 05, 10:03 AM

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

**Bob C** · 1st July 05, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Scotus

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

I think we're just hesitant to engage in activities that might damage them.

**Christopher** · 1st July 05, 10:45 AM

I started with a traditional heavy weight kilt and then went to a contemporary kilt for the casual option and promptly replaced it with another lighter weight traditional kilt. The contemporary experience was enought to convince me that traditional kilts are a good investment.

**Magnus Sporrano** · 1st July 05, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Scotus

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

Maybe so, but wool is also not very stain resistant, and cleaning can be costly.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 1st July 05, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Scotus

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

Ain't THAT the truth?!!!

A nice 11 or 9.5 ounce wool kilt is just as (if not more) comfortable than some of the other fabrics out there. Wool breathes... period.

As for the maintenance, what's the problem with plopping a thinner wool kilt in the washer... on the gentle cycle... with Woolite? I've done it MANY times! You just don't dry the thing in a dryer! You HANG DRY it.

My "tanks" are all done with the home dry-cleaning system when they're spotty, and professionally dry-cleaned when they've been in a smoke-filled pub. I just ask that they DO NOT press it. I think I can do that for the longevity of the pleats.

This pure, unadulterated BS about wool kilts not being easy to maintain has gone on long enough. Can you get the stains out as easily as other fabrics? Nope... but then how often is that really a problem?

I would put a solid black wool kilt in a lighter weight up against ANYTHING out there for comfort, ease of sewing PROPERLY, ease of maintenance and durability. Think about it for a while.

**Scotus** · 1st July 05, 11:35 AM

Thank you, Jimmy. I agree totally with everything you have written in the last post! A wool kilt is made to be worn in all conditions, weather, work, etc. A kilt is a garment made for wear and tear.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 1st July 05, 11:44 AM

I hope my comments are not being taken the wrong way. I never meant to imply that you cannot or should not perform any of the aforementioned activities in a traditional woolen kilt. Merely that I meet a lot of men who enjoy wearing their kilts, want to wear them more often, but are somewhat hesitant to wear a garment that they spent $500 on in situations where it might get soiled or damaged -- especially if they plan on wearing it to a special occasion later in the week. So for these gentlemen, a less expensive kilt in a material that they can throw in the washing machine is attractive.

As for myself, every kilt I own is wool, either tartan or tweed, and I wear them in all seasons and for all occasions. I *personally* have no problem wearing my kilts on occasions where they might get messy. I know how to clean them and take care of them, and I've always got a few more hanging in the closet, anyway. But I can see where someone who paid a lot of money for his first kilt might be a bit more protective of it.

Aye,
Matt

**bubba** · 1st July 05, 11:44 AM

Getting a stain, depending on what kind, out of wool isn't that hard. I use a Shout stain stick, let it sit an hour or so, then hand wash in the bathtub in cold water. No problem at all.

**Scotus** · 1st July 05, 11:51 AM

Matt, I know don't feel as some of your customers do. I was merely commenting on those who see the kilt as such as so "special" a garment that they can't get it dirty. I just think it's a shame.