My Stillwater Experience

[Kilted_Fiddler]

Hello, I just joined X Marks the Scot and want to tell about my experience with Stillwater. I've been reading this forum *behind the scenes* to make an informed decision about buying a kilt online. My only experience with a kilt is an Angus kilt that was given to me from a friend who had it custom made in Scotland 30 years ago (nice first kilt ) Well, needless to say, I love it and wanted others, but could never afford one of that quality. I do a lot of contra dancing and love wearing the kilt, but didn't want to keep wearing the Angus kilt all the time. I've read all the good comments about SWK and Jerry's excellent customer service and decided to order the MacLaren (standard). I think it's a great tartan and I love the colors. I ordered it on Saturday at 1am and the kilt arrived at my door on Wednesday at 3 in the afternoon (I am in Cleveland, OH). It is much better than I had expected. The colors are deeper and richer than the photos show. I was pleasantly surprised at the weight and the feel of the fabric. The leather straps are nice and wide, the buckles are a nice weight, and fit through the holes easily (I had read in some posts about difficulty with the straps fitting the slits, but that is not a problem on mine). The pleats are great, nice and deep, and there are 29 of them (the same as on my Angus kilt). It is pleated to the sett and has a nice sway. I compared the construction to the Angus kilt and it compares very favorably. It is true to size. It's so nice that I am saving up to order another kilt from Jerry...I want to wait til he gets tartans other than Black Watch in the wool heavyweight.

I'm hoping it wears well. Since I'll be doing a lot of contra dance in it I am planning to get a sporran holder that hangs from the belt, because I'm sure the standard type chains I have on my sporrans will really dig into it eventually. Has anybody had a Stillwater standard acrylic for a while that can report their experience with its wearing qualities?

In short, I want to thank everybody on here for the discussions and reviews about SWK...because of them I was able to make a good informed decision about ordering a kilt online that I am quite pleased with. And it also prompted me to finally join this forum.

Cheers,
Paul
the Kilted Fiddler

[Nighthawk]

I have several standards. They're great for every day, in the office wear. The problem as I see it for wearing them dancing is that the fabric doesn't breathe worth a d**n. It also pills really easily, and snags on everything- much like an acrylic sweater. Personally, I would highly recomend getting one of the wool (the shadow tartans are great!). My wool Nighstalker is true to what is said of kilts- it's cool in the heat, warm in the cold, and it looks as good now as it did when I bought it 16 months ago. The acrylics haven't stood up nearly as well. Of course, I have three very cudly cats... those claws on a loose weave material don't help matters any.

[Nighthawk]

And by the way--- You look excellent!

[Rex_Tremende]

Well, well... Well, hello there, stranger. You look smashing.

Best,
Rex.

[Marshal Moroni]

First Welcome to the Kilted Fraternity!

Second, great photo you wear the kilt well.

and Third, you have just experienced the ease that is Stillwater Kilts, very tough to beat, the price and the quality are right on the mark for most of us average blokes.

Cheers and again welcome,

Marshal Moroni

[Aldisimo]

Always happy to welcome another dancer to the group!

[Highlander31]

Nice looking kilt.

[ozth3dog]

Look's very good. I was pondering a maclaren from jerry, now I know that Iwill get it! thanx

[McFarkus]

from Chicago. I definitely recommend getting the sporran straps as soon as possible - the standard material will pill from the chain, particularly if you're dancing in it.

[Sionnach]

from Peoria, Arizona. You look smashing!