Fabric "feel and finish" Stillwater kilts

[Scottish Chi]

I sent this message to Jerry but then realize that these type of subjective questions were not really fair of me to ask him. However, I would like to hear any comparative descriptions from the folks here that have experience with the different fabrics.

While I am waiting for swatches to make my decision on a handmade in a tartan of choice I may spring for another Stillwater kilt. I am curious as to the difference in the “feel and finish” of the material in the heavyweight kilts between the Black Watch Australian wool kilt and the other wool heavyweight kilts since there is a cost difference. I have previously purchased the black wool heavyweight so I am familiar with the characteristics of that fabric.

Also If possible is there a way to describe/compare the heavyweight wool fabrics with the acrylic fabric used in the Standard kilts?

I ran a search but did not come across fabric comparisons to this kind of question.

Cheers! Bill

[jjoseph]

Also If possible is there a way to describe/compare the heavyweight wool fabrics with the acrylic fabric used in the Standard kilts?

The acrylic of the standard feels like a soft flannel, but it's woven more loosely so it breathes a bit. And it's light enough to be a bit of a wind hazard.

[NewKilt]

Bill,

I have the Stillwater Black Watch in Australian wool, the Black Shadow Tartan wool, the Irish Saffron wool, and the Weathered Lamont wool. I also have 4 of the Stillwater Standards.

The standards have a softer feel than all of the wool kilts. According to a message Jerry had sent me awhile back the standards are about 10 oz per square yard. That said, none of the wool kilts, in my opinion, feel rough against the skin. The Australian wool Black Watch has what I would describe as a coarser feel to it than the other Stillwater wool kilts. The Australian wool is 16 oz, and the other wools, as I recall are 13 oz. I'm well satisfied with all the wool kilts as well as the standards. Of course the standards, being acrylic are more subject to snags.

That Black Watch Australian wool is one heavy kilt. Jerry states on the website that it may actually be heavier than 16 oz.

Hope this helps.

Darrell

[KiltedKnight]

I just got my Nightstalker kilt from Stillwater today. I ordered the flyplaid with it. The kilt is light as a feather compared to my 13 and 16 oz Scottish kilts and I had to spend a while with it on the ironing board with a can of spray starch to get the pleats to straighten out but they did nicely. I ironed it from the inside out. The leather straps leave a bit to be desired but that can be remedied easily and the buckles will get a bit of attention from the Dremel.

I ordered a 42 from Stillwater but they sent me a 40 but even though I measured it and it was true to the tag it fit me and felt comfortable so maybe my dieting is paying off.

All in all, I think the biggest things to worry about with a Stillwater standard are wrinkles if you aren't careful and the wind but these are the same problems with any kilt to varying degrees.

They say that you get what you pay for but I think that the price of the Stillwater standard is more than fair and will make a fine kilt for hot summer months. As a matter of fact I'm planning on getting the Black Stewart as soon as I can get my wife to turn her back again for a second.

Chris.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

KK, the standards can't hold a candle to a real wool or wool blend kilt. They are probably about 8oz, maybe a little more, but there is not much weight to the kilt at all. Not a negative comment about them, just an observation.