How makes a good quality Light Weight Kilt

**KiltedDixon** · 27th February 11, 11:25 AM

I wear a Sportkilt for the Highland Games and a walkabout.

**kilt4beer** · 5th March 11, 02:35 PM

I have a question on the same theme. I'm not trying to hijack the thread.

Can someone please tell me the difference between USA Kilts "casual" for $99 and the "Semi Traditional" for $219.

My confusion is that BOTH are listed on the USAK website as "11 oz. Poly Viscose material". One difference is the velcro closure system on the casual and lack of velcro on the semi trad. In my (uneducated) opinion the addition of velcro should be on the more expensive one, not the less expensive one. Also, the semi trad has a fringed apron.

The main difference, as far as I can tell is the tailoring. but, this also confuses me. The casual requires waist, hips, and length measurements for ordering - same as the semi-trad. The semi-trad is "custom" made, yet requires the EXACT same measurements (waist hips, length). So, how much more customization and tailoring can there be if the ordering is using the same basic 3 measurements?

Why the huge price discrepancy? The semi-trad is more than twice the price of the casual. That just seems odd and I must be missing something.

I know the error is mine and my lack of understanding. It MUST be the amount of material being used. However, the website doesn't state the amnount of material used in each design. This leads me to believe that the casual is a 4-5 yard design and the semi trad is an 8 yard design. But, this is just a guess.

Can anyone who has worn / owned both the casual AND semi trad USAK (or Rocky if he's here) please explain the difference of these two kilts to me. Thanks.

**MacMillans son** · 5th March 11, 02:53 PM

Kilt4beer,
For a quicker response from Rocky, you may want to post your question on the USAK dedicated forum.

Cheers!

**RockyR** · 5th March 11, 02:53 PM

Not trying to hijack, but since the question was asked...

Originally Posted by kilt4beer

I have a question on the same theme. I'm not trying to hijack the thread.

Can someone please tell me the difference between USA Kilts "casual" for $99 and the "Semi Traditional" for $219.

My confusion is that BOTH are listed on the USAK website as "11 oz. Poly Viscose material". One difference is the velcro closure system on the casual and lack of velcro on the semi trad. In my (uneducated) opinion the addition of velcro should be on the more expensive one, not the less expensive one. Also, the semi trad has a fringed apron.

The main difference, as far as I can tell is the tailoring. but, this also confuses me. The casual requires waist, hips, and length measurements for ordering - same as the semi-trad. The semi-trad is "custom" made, yet requires the EXACT same measurements (waist hips, length). So, how much more customization and tailoring can there be if the ordering is using the same basic 3 measurements?

Why the huge price discrepancy? The semi-trad is more than twice the price of the casual. That just seems odd and I must be missing something.

I know the error is mine and my lack of understanding. It MUST be the amount of material being used. However, the website doesn't state the amnount of material used in each design. This leads me to believe that the casual is a 4-5 yard design and the semi trad is an 8 yard design. But, this is just a guess.

Can anyone who has worn / owned both the casual AND semi trad USAK (or Rocky if he's here) please explain the difference of these two kilts to me. Thanks.

The Casual is 4 to 5 yards of cloth. The pleats are 1.5" wide. The closure is velcro. There are 3 belt loops... 2 on the apron edges and 1 in the center of the back. Our "Perma Pleat" system means that we sew the pleats in so that you don't have to iron the kilt. The fell (area between the top and the widest part of the rear end) is sewn down and tapered for a proper fit.

The Semi Trad uses 5 to 7 yards of cloth. The pleats are .9 to 1" wide. It uses a "strap and buckle" closure system and has fringe on the front apron. It too is tapered and fitted to the user's measurements. It looks more like a 'traditional' kilt, yet it's made from PV cloth, so we call it the Seim Tradtional.

The Semi Traditional uses more material and takes twice as long to make than our Casual. If you look at the ACTUAL price of a Semi Trad for an average guy, it's basically double the cost of the Casual.

More info on our site... "Which kilt is right for me?" page:

http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.php?m=content&page=6

Now back to the thread at hand...

**Riverkilt** · 5th March 11, 03:41 PM

And take a look at the videos at the bottom of the pages Ham for the semi-trad, me for the casual.

For what its worth I've switched to semi-trads but still buy casuals for hot humid weather wear. Owned 25 USA kilts. Never a problem with either style.

**kilt4beer** · 5th March 11, 03:55 PM

Great info, thanks so much. Rocky I sent you a PM- please ignore the question that was answered here -- thanks for your help!

**Sharkman** · 6th March 11, 06:29 PM

I appreciate the questions being asked, because I was wondering some of the same things as "kilt4beer" asked.

Rocky,

Thanks for you the details. I also appreciate it that you have answered my questions when I called and e-mailed. I can't wait for my Semi-Traditional" to get here.