fuzzing under the sporran: acrylic kilts

[Alan H]

This has been discussed quite a bit in the past, but with a lot of renewed interest in Stillwater kilts, I thought I'd bring it up again.

Acrylic kilts, in my experience, "fuzz" at points of friction. My primary issue is fuzzing under the sporran. My two Stillwaters "fuzz" a lot more than my polyester-viscose USA Kilt. The fuzzing doesn't really damage the kilt, but it does mess with the general appearrance. I use my electric razor to clear it up. My razor has a beard-trimming, snap-out doohickey, which when applied properly to the surface skims off the surface fuzz, leaving a neater-looking fabric. You can also buy sweater de-fuzzers from Target, K-Mart and other budget places that are specifically designed for the job.

I find that I de-fuzz my Stillwaters after every third or fourth day-long wearing.

I'm not knocking Stillwaters at all!! I seriously dig mine. It's just one of the little prices you pay for buying a less expensive, acrylic kilt.

[Enzayer]

I use a regular Gillette safty razor to remove my fuzz. It work just as well plus you don't have to worry as much about the perfect angle.

Another thought, how much is the cost difference between poly-vi and acrylic? Maybe Stillwater can offer them in the other material.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Wearing the sporran a little looser, and NOT wearing a chain helps immensely. In all the time I've worn StillWater Kilts, and as rough as I wear kilts, it has NEVER... repeat, NEVER... needed to be shaved. I wear a variety of sporrans from leather to metal-backed. Every sporran that I wear has a leather strap too.

I've never had to shave my wool kilts either. I take the same care in the sporran tension and placement with them.

The only kilt that I've EVER needed to "shave" was my Canadian Maple Leaf poly-viscose kilt... but that was from too many washings. That, again, was the Canadian provincial PV that's not the same as the Clan tartans. The pilling was due to washings BEFORE I was "hip" to the problem, and changed the washing habits.

I truly believe that the ONLY kilts I own that have zero problems are my 16-ounce wool ones. I guess the traditional kiltmakers know what they're doing?;)

[Sindarius]

Thanks for the info Alan. From someone who just bought thier first kilt and a Stillwater to boot I appreciate knowning that if mine begins to "fuzz" that mines not the first and that there are remedies. Much appreciated.

Cheers
Sindarius

[Alan H]

Thanks for the info Alan. From someone who just bought thier first kilt and a Stillwater to boot I appreciate knowning that if mine begins to "fuzz" that mines not the first and that there are remedies. Much appreciated.

Cheers
Sindarius

You're certainly welcome.

A couple of months ago I picked up a pair of leather sporran straps for daily wear, though I use chains when I wear the semi-dress sporran. That's a rare thing, so I figure the chains won't do much damage. Most of the time I wear a simple black, leather three-tassel sporran. The back of this sporran is fairly smooth, stiff leather, though the strap clips do stick out a bit. Then again, they're smooth metal. I don't notice any fuzzing along the hips, under the straps. All the fuzzing on my Stillwaters is under the sporran itself, directly in the middle of the outer apron.

Again, this is no reason not to buy a Stillwater. All kilts require a bit of care, and the way I see it, this is just part of the deal. Maybe you'll luck out, like Jimmy has, and not have a "fuzzing" issue.

I really like both of my Stillwater kilts, and would happily buy another one.