a couple of questions regarding Stillwater

**Kirkwood** · 7th July 05, 01:07 PM

As many of you can understand, I'm seriously jonesing for another kilt. My b-day was back in June & I was hoping to get one then but alas, no.
Anyways, Stillwater seems to be a good choice for my next one. So here are some ?'s.
Do the standards have belt loops? (not mentioned in the description)
How long does it generally take to get one?
Economy vs. standard?

thanx,
Ron

**davedove** · 7th July 05, 01:22 PM

They are very fast with delivery. I've gotten a couple from them, and both times received the kilt in three days. The kilts have two loops on the back. Definitely get the standard over the economy, unless you're only looking for something around the house.

I've worn my Stillwater standard many times and received many compliments.

**chasem** · 7th July 05, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Kirkwood

Do the standards have belt loops? (not mentioned in the description)

Yes, two. Roughly 3-4 inches

Originally Posted by Kirkwood

How long does it generally take to get one?

I would've gotten mine in about three days, if the post office hadn't taken liberties with it.

Originally Posted by Kirkwood

Economy vs. standard?

The real question is Standard vs. Heavyweight.
I have a standard, no complaints given the price.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 7th July 05, 05:08 PM

Well, the loop and shipping questions have been answered quite well.

Economy: a very nominal kilt that's good for someone that needs a kilt for a one-time event... possibly a fraternity party. The front apron is straight, narrow, and quite awkward.

Standard: perhaps the best buy in kilts right now... as long as you are in their size range, and their tartans are to your liking. The aprons are right on, the pleats are more than adequate, the straps are fine, the price is unbeatable, and the delivery time is next to nothing.

Heavy Weight: may well be the third best buy in kilts (behind SW Standards and the Pittsburgh Kilts offerings). For the price, these are top notch in getting something that's wearable to dinners and nice events. They're also easily maintained so they may be an everyday wear too. The selection in colors/tartans is small now (since the line is new) but we're guaranteed a wider range in the very near future.

**Alan H** · 7th July 05, 06:46 PM

I have two standards and I like them a lot, as I've posted on this board many times. For seventy five bucks they are a steal, especially for occasional wear or for someone who needs a more formal-looking kilt but can't cough up the moolah for a "real" tank.

I bought my Standard Black Watch as my first kilt. It introduced me to kilt wearing and I've worn it one day a week pretty much every week since January. I've washed it in the washing machine, twice and it's due for another washing, soon.

On the downside, after two washings and repeated wearings...and three pressings, the pleats are kind of starting to lose it. I spent 45 minutes pressing them again the other night, we'll see how they stand up. I'm concerned that the next washing, which will be necessary pretty soon, will kill the pleats off so that it will take me a couple of hours to get everything straight, lined up and copasetic again. I'm guess I'm going to have to iron them thoroughly, and then weight them overnight to get them back.

Also, the acrylic material fuzzes out much, much quicker than poly-viscose. My PV USA Kilt shows NO sign of pilling at all, but the Stillwater I've had to attend to with my electric razor a couple of times.

My Stillwaters are too warm to wear to work around here during a sunny summer day. In the winter, they're great!

In summary.

1. I like my Stillwater kilts. They served as my first kilts, introduced me to kilt-wearing, and have given me many kilt-wearing days at a good price.
2. Stillwater kilts delivers hurry-up, right now
3. Jerry at Stillwater is the greatest at customer service
4. After 6-7 months of weekly wearing and a couple of trips through the washing machine, the pleats require a lot of care compared to my USA Kilts Philabeg.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 7th July 05, 07:28 PM

AS for caring for Stillwater's:

1). You only need to hand wash or gentle wash them with cool water. The fabric does not require anything more than that.

2). You CAN machine dry them, but know that you'll be damaging the fabric. Your best bet is to line-dry them, or lay them out.

3). IF you need to iron them, you may want to use the steam setting with a little starch. After ironing BOTH sides, you can go over the outside ones with a cool iron.

4). I've washed mine countless times and have no pilling, no pleat problems, and no shrinkage.

A little care goes a LONG way with them.;)

**Archangel** · 7th July 05, 09:01 PM

Question about the new heavy weights: is there a hang on them? That is, is the back of the kilt cut to be lower than the front? I've seen some suggestion of that but not a clear answer. Of course, I should probably email them, they're pretty quick to respond.

billmcc · 7th July 05, 09:29 PM

Jimmy C,

Is the third strap and buckle necessary on the Heavyweight? Can the lower outside strap be removed without any ill effects?

**chasem** · 8th July 05, 07:53 AM

The third strap on any kilt is there to pull the apron into the proper position on the kilt, not for fitting. It's not really necesary, but I think it will make it look a little better.

**Kirkwood** · 8th July 05, 08:33 AM

Thank you for the info, gents.
I just ordered a Black Watch standard. If all goes well, I'll have it for my vacation in Ocean City, MD next Saturday. First stop - HOOTERS! (and 5th stop, and 8th...)