What's the most affordable kilt I can trash?

**lethearen** · 28th January 11, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Burly Brute

Ok, now that I have your attention please, take a deep breath, and let me explain! I have a kilt, but I want to purchase an ole cheapy one for like, goin out to the pubs and such. One that I can sit on the pleats for a few hours and not stress that I am ruining my good kilts. However, I would like one that will keep its pleats/or be easily restored if possible. Any suggestions?

I got a kilt from www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk for about 60$ including shipping (well, shipping was free). 8 yard, 16 oz "PV" (really polyacetate, i think)... pretty stiff, but holds up well. Good for kicking around.

**azwildcat96** · 28th January 11, 09:38 PM

I posted a similar question here. (not about the bar stool part).

Hope it helps.

**svc40bt** · 28th January 11, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I'm glad this question has come up. I've been meaning to ask it too, although my intentions are slightly different.

I do a lot of hiking, and am planning a couple of serious backpacking trips this year that I plan to do kilted. So my hiking kilt will get dirty and be expected to stand up to some abuse. I normally wear a Utilikilt for this, but would like to have a more traditional tartan kilt to abuse (I ain't doing it in my expensive tank!).

PV is not an option. I've already owned a PV casual kilt, and I find the material to be way too thin and light for my tastes. I like a thicker, heavier material (preferably in the 16oz or heavier range).

I love the price and choices of SWK. Acrylic would be fine, since I don't do campfires (the only fire would be my small stove), but I'd probably go with their 'heavy' wool kilt. The problem with SWK is that they don't make kilts in my size. Their standard length is about 2" too long, leaving me with the option of having to wear it way higher than I want, or paying someone to do a hem job that may end up looking like crap.

I may end up having to go with a SWK and finding someone to do a decent hem job (since they don't offer it), even though I'd rather avoid it. But does anybody else make an el-cheapo kilt that's good and heavy, preferably that can be made-to-order instead of "standard sizes" that don't fit me?

And on that subject, the SWK website is not very informative as to hip measurements. If I order a 34" waist kilt, how much do they add for the hip? All their pictures make the kilts look like they have very minimal flare for hips... they almost look like tubes instead of kilts. Does anyone know their typical formula for hip size based on waist size?

Also, what's the weight of the wool on their heavy wool kilt?

If you are set on wool a Burnett's & Struth casual might be an option. They always have a selection of tartans on sale for $200. They are all Locharron worsted tartan in your choice of weights. Their current selection of 16oz casuals.

**Jay** · 2nd February 11, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by svc40bt

If you are set on wool a Burnett's & Struth casual might be an option. They always have a selection of tartans on sale for $200. They are all Locharron worsted tartan in your choice of weights. Their current selection of 16oz casuals.

***.

I have one now and another on order. They are a damned nice kilt at a very fair price.

**Howard Clark** · 30th January 11, 04:42 PM

I got some 18 oz Robert Noble Leslie tartan cheap on e-bay and made a couple of four yard box pleated kilts that are machine sewn for this. I wear one of the in the forge shop a lot, it has been machine washed, and survives just fine after two years plus at hard labor.

Really it is hard to beat wool, IMO.

**MacMillans son** · 30th January 11, 08:48 PM

I have had good service from an "import" 8 yard PV kilt from buyakilt.com

http://buyakilt.com/kilts/budget-kilts

It is an eastern PV which is heavier, and not as refined, as the Marton Mills PV but the price is right at about $60 US. The pleating is somewhat random relative to sett. I assume it is set at a specific dimension, like 1", and sett be damned! But, for a hiking, sit where ya want, kind of kilt it does great. Being an 8 yard kilt, of a slightly heavier material with a traditional 3 buckle closure, it wears more like a 13oz traditional wool kilt than a casual kilt.

In a wool casual kilt, the 5 yard 16oz Lochcarron from Tartanweb is hard to beat at $212 US. Their 8 yard machine stitched 16 oz Jura is $267 US.

http://www.tartanweb.com/shop/highla.../5-yard-kilts/

Although a bit more expensive, and as others have said, you cant go wrong with anything from USA Kilts.

http://usakilts.com/

Happy shopping!

**McFarkus** · 2nd February 11, 09:41 AM

A few years ago I bought a Stillwater Kilts Thrifty model in Irish National tartan for St. Patrick's day. They run about $30, are made of acrylic with a velcro closure. I figured if I spilled beer on it, or if someone had too much to drink and vomited on it, I wouldn't care. http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...Thrifty-Kilts/

**Burly Brute** · 2nd February 11, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by McFarkus

A few years ago I bought a Stillwater Kilts Thrifty model in Irish National tartan for St. Patrick's day. They run about $30, are made of acrylic with a velcro closure. I figured if I spilled beer on it, or if someone had too much to drink and vomited on it, I wouldn't care. http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...Thrifty-Kilts/

How well do these fit? I mean, 30$ bucks sounds awesome! But, does anyone have any pics of themselves wearing one they could offer up?

**troxel87** · 2nd February 11, 12:57 PM

I've gotten two kilts from SW, both standards. I am a bit on the shorter side (5'6"), and the 24" is just about 3 inches too long. I ended up doing my own hem job, and it didn't look too bad. I wear it to church, wore it to my sons christening, the bars/pubs, everywhere.

It took me about 3 hrs to hem it up using a generous amount of thread.

Also, I asked Jerry from SW if I could order one about 2, 3" shorter and he said that's no problem, just ask when you order it. I'd assume it would take a little longer, due to being a custom size. Overall, it's up to you, but I think the standard or economy kilt would be the best choice, especially for the prices.

**Tobus** · 4th February 11, 03:19 PM

Also, I asked Jerry from SW if I could order one about 2, 3" shorter and he said that's no problem, just ask when you order it.

Really?! On their website they say, "We do not offer hemming service at this time, this is best done by any local tailor/seamstress."

Does this mean that if you want a shorter kilt, they will actually make your kilt to the custom length with the traditional selvedged edge at the bottom instead of a hem?