First Kilt Purchase

**d_lairson** · 30th October 09, 07:00 PM

I'm looking to buy my first non-wool kilt, looking for something inexpensive that I can wear all the time. I'm looking at a Stillwater Thrifty-Kilt (Black Watch). This may sound weird but I'm worried about the pleats. Does the fact that they are not sewn down make that much of difference? As I have never worn a kilt that did not have sewn down pleats, I don't know if it is an issue.

Thanks

**ccga3359** · 31st October 09, 04:47 AM

Stillwater Kilts are surprisingly good quality (I have a heavy weight). However I'd suggest that you upgrade a bit with a kilt with a sewn down fell. It will help ensure that the pleats remain and be less "skirty".

**timseh** · 31st October 09, 06:03 AM

I'd highly recommend you go with the standard. I don't own and have never seen a thrifty, but I have 2 standards and am very happy with the quality.

**Matthew Siegmann** · 31st October 09, 07:17 AM

Do you have a specific reason for not going with wool (other than price)? Just curious because I have found with most garments that wool tends to outlast other natural fabrics. With kilts I have no comparison, I just have my wool.

**ccga3359** · 31st October 09, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Matthew Siegmann

Do you have a specific reason for not going with wool (other than price)? Just curious because I have found with most garments that wool tends to outlast other natural fabrics. With kilts I have no comparison, I just have my wool.

In another thread d_lairson mentions his wife has a wool allergy.

Freedom Kilts offer canvas & camo kilts, RKilts offer canvas, hemp of leather. As well there's Utilikilts for canvas. USAK and Canadian Casual Kilts offer poly-viscous (PV, poly-rayon) in tartans and at quite reasonable price for a bespoke kilt.

billmcc · 31st October 09, 08:12 AM

In my opinion, a kilt without sewn down pleats looks a bit like a cheerleaders skirt. SWK's economy model has sewn down pleats and is only $20 more than the Thrifty model.

All SWK kilts are acrylic. This material is very good a retaining body heat, which is not a good thing during the summer here in Florida. I prefer a USAK Casual model for summer wear because PV is much cooler than acrylic.

**d_lairson** · 31st October 09, 09:05 AM

Thanks Guys,

I do have to avoid wool because of my wife's allergy, she got all puffy from my time in my wool kilt yesterday (Let me tell you, burns night dinners were always fun!) Also I'm a little concerned about heat, but from what I have read the acrylic that might also be an issue here in Florida.

Of course, this being my first kilt purchase, I'm worried about price as well. I've read that Stillwater Kilts are good quality for price. I know that you get what you pay for, I also am an amateur photographer so I know that value for money does not always mean cheap.

A couple of questions, would a belt help hold down the pleats and make it look less cheerleader like? Is there anything I can do to it to make it look and "swish" in a kilt like manner. Just off the top of my head, could someone (me for example) take some hemming tape (the sticky stuff that you iron on) and tack down the pleats? It would be a little bit of work but would it make a difference?

Thanks,
David

**sydnie7** · 31st October 09, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by d_lairson

[snip]A couple of questions, would a belt help hold down the pleats and make it look less cheerleader like? Is there anything I can do to it to make it look and "swish" in a kilt like manner. Just off the top of my head, could someone (me for example) take some hemming tape (the sticky stuff that you iron on) and tack down the pleats? It would be a little bit of work but would it make a difference?

Thanks,
David

Rather than buying something that you have to mess with, why not just get a kilt with a stitched-down fell to begin with? If you can settle for a solid (vs. tartan), there are several vendors here, myself included, who can fix you right up. If you really want a tartan, look a bit farther and find something that suits within your budget.

There is at least one thread about stitching down the pleats on a Stillwater but, to me, they always look like what they are -- somebody's attempt to alter a garment after the fact.

**ccga3359** · 31st October 09, 10:08 AM

The closest to wool for swish is PV. Perhaps save a little longer for a USAK casual. You already have a kilt (that you can't actually wear around the Mrs.). You've taken that first step, you know you are right for a kilt. You'll be much happier with the weight, feel, performance and material. Also look at Rocky's kilt package to add to you kilting attire.

**d_lairson** · 31st October 09, 12:14 PM

Here's the thing...

I just lost over 45 pounds and I am looking to replace pretty much all of my casual attire. A good pair of cargo shorts will cost me $25-35 a nice pair of golf shorts $30-45. A $100 price point on a casual kilt to replace a $35 pair shorts will make my wifes head explode! I need to get something, to start, that is in the same price range as a good pair of golf shorts.

I know that you get what you pay for, that is true in anything, but I am willing to make a cheaper kilt make do while I save for a more expensive one.

Kilt dealers should be like drug dealers... Make the first one cheap to get the customer hooked, then charge the full price ;)