Need help with a decision

[dfmacliam]

You will find most kiltmakers will work with you on getting a kilt... So put me in the Jock Scot side... but if you have to get a kilt now... get the made to measure..USAKilts.. also check out the B&S casual 5 yd sale kilts too

[SteveB]

I own a few kilts.

I own a SWK Standard in the Irish National Tartan. It works well as a run around kilt. It is Acrylic and looks like Acrylic and pills like Acrylic. It is off the peg, and therefore is designed to fit a certain ratio between the waist and hips at 24" in length. I have the height to wear a 24" length kilt if I wear it slightly lower then my made to measure kilts. The waist to hip ratio is a little tight on the thunder thighs that I am blessed with. I strap this on to run to the store for the morning paper and a jug of milk.

I own a USAK Casual kilt, it is made of Poly-viscous and surprised me in several areas. First it is a made to measure bespoke garment. The detail of how the Velcro is set up at the waist is superb for those of us that are losing (hopefully) or gaining in the horizontal area. The fit at the hips is perfect and the pleating is outstanding. With a 26" length, the kilt hangs right on target, the top of my knee. It is easy to care for. After getting someone's brew spilled onto it from the balcony at a concert, through the washing machine, hang up to dry and the garment and its pleats are like new. The material passes as wool to most people, and the pleats very rarely wrinkle, and when they do get a wrinkle (driving five hours sitting on them) the wrinkles fall out by hanging the kilt up for a day. The garment is very comfortable, and is nice to be seen in.

Now for some other kilt possibilities:

I also own a SWK thrifty. It is a wrap around with Velcro at the waist off the peg Acrylic kilt. I wear this around the house, and for working in the garden. It is not one that I would choose to be out and about in.

The next is my USAK Semi-traditional kiltS The emphasis on the plural is because this is as close to the Tank as you can get in a Poly-viscous kilt. I own several. I have worn these to the Highland Games, Scottish themed dinners, and at other venues. Most people see it as the real deal. It looks, swishes, and feels like a Tank, only much lighter on the hips. My American heritage draws many favourable comments wherever I go. My latest is a MacNeil that is getting a lot of good comments. Rocky, Kelley, and Mac are great to work with.

It is also at this point that I wish to mention Freedom Kilts. A tartan Freedom Kilt has the advantage of well engineered pockets, made to exacting measure, and an identity of its own. This is a very contemporary kilt, with many comfort features. See the website for details, as no two of Steve's works of art are the same.

THE TANK. I own what is referred to on this forum as a tank. That is a hand sewn of Scottish new wool, woven and constructed in Scotland bespoke kilt.
This is the Holy Grail of kilts. Everyone should own one. It is worn for all the special occasions, weddings, funerals, Burns Suppers, Clan association meetings, etc. I wear it with special care as the wool is easy to care for if you attend to any mishaps right away. Simply hanging it up puts the pleats right and it practically cleans itself when allowed to air. I do not wish to see this masterpiece damaged at a Punk concert, or torn from felling trees (with or without nearby rocks). There is nothing like a Tank for swish, and looks of admiration from the public, especially the young lasses. It is quality and speaks quality, and looks quality. if you were to be wearing the kilt only for special occasions, as Jock Scot said, wait and save for the tank.

Slainte

[NewEnglander]

I own a few kilts.

My thanks to Steve for his well-worded comments. I've been feeling the kilt itch again already and reading his reviews have given me some things to think about...and the patience to wait until the right moment to buy the next kilt.

[thescot]

Unless you're planning to wear the kilt for something that will likely ruin it, like mud wrestling or grease monkey work, I would ditton what Jock says. A good heavy, custom wool kilt is worth the wait and will last a very long time--think generations--unless you do something to it.

[Larry124]

...I plan to wear it just above the navel, where most "traditional" kilts are worn. I paln to use this kilt as a knock around kilt and also for time at renaissance fairs with the Queens Own Highlanders from Scarborough.

I have and wear both.
I prefer USAK over SWK, although SWK is warmer in this season in my local.
For your uses I'd decline the "tank" spend-up advice, particularly as you posted in this contemporary and non-traditional forum subsection.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Post deleted

[MacLowlife]

One of the odd facts of life is that something custom made for someone else may still be better than something standard made for nobody. I have heard of Savile Row suits being taken back to their makers for adjustment to the new owner. I do not know how much customizing a kiltmaker can do for you on someone else's kilt, but I would suggest you look at used kilts, too. And, of course, there is the Military Kilt, as sold by WHAT PRICE GLORY and the real ones, frequently sold on eBay.

If you buy or order a new chest of drawers and keep it for six months, when you go to sell it, you have a piece of used furniture, worth noticeably less than it cost new. If you buy a 50 or 75 year old chest and keep it for five years, when you go to sell it, it is still approximately 50 to 75 years old and probably worth about what you paid for it. You will read again and again about how long a "tank" will last. Like everything else, they do come on the market, when people die or their needs change, or just because Fortune Smiles.

I would look at the For Sale forum here as well as the dreaded Internet Auction Site. If you can't find what you want in a reasonable length of time, then do follow your itch with one (or more) of the many great suggestions above.

Wear it in good health...

[McMurdo]

I understand wanting to get your first kilt now, however instead of goingf for SWK or USAKilts might I suggest checking out the Burnett's and Struth Casual Kilt sale
http://www.burnetts-struth.com/index.php?cPath=160

That way you get a wool kilt.

[Nighthawk]

I appreciate the information. I have been researching the different companies for about a month and am looking for some advice from people who have worn both.

As far as where I will wear the kilt, I plan to wear it just above the navel, where most "traditional" kilts are worn. I paln to use this kilt as a knock around kilt and also for time at renaissance fairs with the Queens Own Highlanders from Scarborough.

Again, thanks for the help.

With that being the case, USA Kilts are far and away the best option. The SWK woolies are nice, though, I do have to say. But for Ren Fest activities, they can be a bit warm. Also the acrylic kilts don't breathe worth a damn, so they can get really uncomfortable on hot days.

[seanachie]

....I just wore a SWK saffron standard to my wife's Christmas party where it made a great splash. So let me just add an opinion...how something fits one body to the next I completely understand is different. So I can understand someone not liking an SWK because of how it fits them. As to Quality, that is a whole different issue so I would avoid placing it in the same sentence as fit. To my mind the quality for the SWK is good for the price. Sure if I spent the money needed for a tank and received a kilt of this quality I would likely be a tad disappointed. On the other hand, I am grateful to Jerry because I am a person without a great budget for kilts and his product offerings make a great fit for me. Instead of one in my closet I can have a few. I respect those who say hold out and budget for a tank, I just hold a different perspective. (as a side note I do not own a USAK but plan to soon, Rock has been very helpful in addressing my questions.)

Joe